FREE Mods to Boost Small Engine Horsepower! Pt. 1

We've had lots of comments asking for more budget go kart builds and engine mods, so today we're making engine mods to boost the performance of your go kart or mini bike engine for free! We're using a Tecumseh 6.5 hp engine, but these mods can be applied to a Predator 212, other Honda clones, and even car engines. We start by freeing up the air filter, and then we're immediately stopped by engine problems, so we spent the remaining time diagnosing and fixing our problems.

Thanks for Watching!

The following video features activities performed in controlled environments by knowledgeable persons. DO NOT attempt to duplicate, re-create, or perform the same or similar activities at home, as personal injury or property damage may result. CARS AND CAMERAS, the persons shown in this video and ANY CONTRIBUTOR, ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY such injury or damage. ALL CARSANDCAMERAS CONTENT IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.

Cars and Cameras makes no representation about the sufficiency of any safety precautions and equipment used in this video.

[addictedfuel]

It's nice to see a channel that still sticks to its roots and listens to their subscribers on what they want. Great video guys and keep em coming

[mingusbreeze]

What I have always like about you guys is you don't stray very far from your beginnings. You change things up from time to time to keep it interesting. Thanks guys for another great video.

[havocmaverick]

I did this to my riding lawnmower and i got the grass cut in about 7 minutes. Thanks

[CarsandCameras]

We fought carburetor problems most of the day, but it ran so much better in the end! I guess the best way to fix a Tecumseh carburetor is to replace it with a 212 carb!

[MrLendermanGaming]

Man ike is such a badass "mechanic" that guy has seen everything from basic valve float up to exhaust coming out the intake and intake coming through exhaust. He just like. Knows everything.

[LeoTonius]

I just love to watch this guys.
I am building my second minibike myself at this moment and the next one will have 4 wheels for sure. Got an original Honda GX200 with a 2;1 gearbox already waiting in the shed! Not sure if I'll tune it or not.... Got a big carb too,
And BIG lawn mower tires (24x12.00-10) in the back is the plan, and to run at very low tire pressure. Plans plans plans, but no

[keithfreeman]

Hi Guys, great info.
I'm a Briggs guy and what I have found and what I do is for the 5 HP Briggs, i.e. go kart engines. Is to shave off the decompression bump on the cam. This increases the sweep area of the cylinder. This increases HP by about 20%. In some engines you can just shave the end of that valve stem.

[chrisuscilla]

You guys should build a diesel go cart! It would we cool and very torque

[Nissaninthewoods]

That's the same exact gokart I had as a kid. Infact my first gokart. That thing was fun. And was run hard. Brings back good old memories

[petez]

#1 rule for small engines/outboards/weedwackers etc...
STOP USING GAS WITH ETHANOL
(just my two cents there)

Great video guys 👍

[sareynoldssr]

This was a fun problem solving journey. I am interested to see what kind of power these motors can make. Everyone knows what a moded up predator can do but taking an unknown and pushing it is a cool idea.

[DonovanBryant]

put the old engine out of the miata into an off-road kart

[brianmattock]

Thank you! I love the idea of a regular budget build/ garage sale find, repair and run series.

[russashworth]

Great job. Note to people, make sure your bare skin is covered. I sure this guy felt the "sun burn " on his unprotected skin. Welding gloves & long sleeve shirt

[jeffreysilfee]

Just gotta say, you guys have the actual best video quality on YouTube

[Brutalford]

When I was a kid I had a tecumseh 8hp and I never had any real issues out of it we bored it, polished the intake and exhaust ported it slightly and used a 12hp carb with straight pipe and mine ran for many years no problems...

[NoahWL]

What a happy coincidence! I've been looking for some mods to do to my old engine. Thanks for the great videos guys!

[saltypeanut]

"It'll Be Fine" use's vise grips to hold on a carburetor - Me wtf that works =) .... Oh man you guys are still so true to you're famous quotes. Thanks for the sick video John and Ike also dope build off bike boys - sorry it did not work out in the end but hell the suspense of me wanting it to work is what made it a wicked video thanks again. ;) also Good Camera Work guys

[stclairstclair]

I just scored a brand new never used 5.5 snowking motor built in 2007, Four months before Tecumseh stopped production.
So now I'm free to play around with my old 5hp without fear if I kill it.

[dolfinoff]

Hey @CarsandCameras - You guys want to know how I significantly improved the drag racing times of my kart?

**WARNING: This is an IRREVERSIBLE MODIFICATION!**

I removed the centrifugal clutch from the engine and modified it as follows:
(1) Took the clutch drum off of the assembly via the snap ring. (IMPORTANT: Mark the face of the snap ring with a Sharpie and DO NOT flip the snap ring over when you reassemble the unit!)
(2) Carefully removed the spring that encircles the weights. (Noting the orientation of the weights for reassembly.)
(3) Cut off 6 - 10 coils off the length of the spring and slightly bent the new 'last coil' to form a new hook.
(4) Reassembled the spring onto the weights.
(5) Placed a *tiny* film of grease on the drum bearing, reassembled the clutch and reinstalled it on the kart.
(6) Did a test run and rinsed & repeated as needed. (Sneak up on the optimal spring length because if you cut it too short, you cannot make it longer again.)

This allows a higher engine 'stall speed' which is essentially giving you a MUCH more powerful launch. The same effect can be achieved by lightening the weights of the clutch but then *the balance of the rotating assembly* will come into play and damage the clutch or engine or both can occur. Shortening the spring, and effectively making it "stronger", is the most practical way to do this modification.