My recomendation is an RD350 or RD400 engine, they are air cooled and will make ur job easier. Other than cooling they are same as a banshee engine cept with a bit more power. I payed 330 for my RD350 in near perfect condition cept seat and inside of gas tank. But unless you get a great deal like me, you can get them off ebay for usually less than a grand.


On the old yz250 yamaha posted the 0-60 and top speed in a good chasis. The 0-60 was 4.0 and the top speed around 120 with normal gearing. Second I read that I wanted one bad [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]. I wanted to take it out to the local un offical drag races and murder some Vettes, but now I know that would be bad. All it takes is one disgruntled owner to "accidentaly" run me over lol. Besides now im to big to fit in that lil ol frame lol. Back in the day though I coulda reaked some havoc, but now im old enough to know id end up in trouble or with tread marks on my head [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

that's a cool wesite. the sidewinder plus would be the one. it's not too big. and it's in my price range.but that freakin' 8-wheeled thing is the bomb!!
the only thing is the sidewinder is 700lb. i believe that is w/out the motor. that's pretty heavy. what engine could move that? i don't know of an atv engine that would move it fast enough to get good performance. i was trying to avoid a motorcycle engine because of the tall transmission gearing not to mention the added weight.

 

The Piranaha caught my eye on there. Except I wouldn't use a motorcycle engine, I would use a Rotary [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img] . Ever see the size of an RX-7 engine? the accesories are bigger than the engine. If I couldnt get that I would use a 700+cc snowmobile or jet-ski 2 stroke engine.

 

i just remembered that i have a 11hp briggs and stratton engine in a riding lawn mower behind my house. i've never ran it. i got the whole lawn mower from a friend when i needed the deck off of it.
the engine needs a carb. they seem to be around $100+/-.
has anyone ever tried to use these and how much power can you get out of them with a little work. reliability?

this is just another idea. i still want to build THE MONSTER. i figured since i already had this engine, why not?

 

I like the ballistic buggy!

 

An 11 horse? well you wouldnt be able to get any except for that big lawn mower racing craze up north. Pretty much the sky is the limit all depending on how much dough you wanna spend. Only problem is that it is vertical shaft probably right? That poses a pretty big problem as if you turn it on its side it wont oil right. Right now though you can get headers, high compression heads, stroker kits, anything you want for a lawn mower [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] If its is horizontal shaft your set.

My seggestion for an engine if your going to buy a small engine would be the Tecumseh Star 10 if they still make them. They start at 10hp but how much you actually make is all up to you. Not to mention it has a large aftermarket following.

 

i noticed it was a vertical shaft. it would pose a problem. how do i get around this?

 

How about a pully on the drive saft with a belt atached to another pully at a 90 degree angle. I don't know how much power could be transfered through the belt but its worth a shot.

You might also be able to fashion some kind of gear to the shaft another gear, sorry bad description, like a rear end.

 

ward, to go from vertical to a lateral drive the belt would have to make a figure 8 wouldn't it? the lawn mower has a gear box already but, it's geared way too low. i could get some ideas from it though. i'm worried about how low the shaft is gonna hang down as well. i'll have too cut some off or set the engine a little higher on the frame. is there a web site for some gear boxes?
jakal, what do you know about a 82 honda 450? it's $600 obo or a 73 honda 350...$???

 

Not exactly a figure 8. It is more like a half twist. The longer the belt the easier it would be to set up like this. That is why I was asking about the mid engine. If you could set it up as a mid engine design it should be easier to use a longer belt than a rear engine right above the axel. Which way does the shaft on the engine turn? Also using the belt drive all you would have to do to change gearing is swap pully sizes.