Snoopy11 5,713 #1 Posted May 17, 2022 Hey guys, So... I have heard a lot about the Predator Ghost engine... so I wanted to do a bit of a write-up on it. I am not happy with what I see... FIRST consideration... it supposedly has a rev-limiter built in to the coil, limited to 6,000 RPM. Here is the deal... it has the STOCK Predator cast iron flywheel (with glued on magnet) with plastic cooling fins. At that point alone, I would deem this engine unsafe for ANY project. THEN... you realize... it has a plain old cast rod... nothing special... Domed STOCK predator piston top (eye roll) I should also make it clear, at this time, there are no jet kits for the predator ghost... so jet adjustments are in the realm of the unknown at this time. From the above, along with a "different" valve train setup than most racing small engines, I would steer well away from this engine for any of your performance needs. It does not have a reinforced block, the flywheel is just flat out unsafe, and the rod... well... it wasn't made for 6,000 RPM While Predator may make a lot of money on this engine at the get-go... there are going to be a lot of disappointed people... Don 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,713 #2 Posted May 17, 2022 Compare the above to the Stage 4 TIllotson that I built... you can tell a major difference... Don 1 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davem1111 1,932 #3 Posted May 17, 2022 24 minutes ago, Snoopy11 said: Compare the above to the Stage 4 TIllotson that I built... you can tell a major difference... Don That's a fine looking engine you put together. I personally have never messed around inside engines much. I still have an old Honda 125cc 4 stroke motorcycle engine that I may play with but have nothing to put it on ... unless.... maybe a Wheel Horse? Was just reading some interesting stuff here related to the Predator engine: https://gokartnerds.com/predator-212-governor-removal/ 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,713 #4 Posted May 17, 2022 4 minutes ago, davem1111 said: That's a fine looking engine you put together. Ha ha... yeah... it is!!! The one thing I will say... the Predator ghost engine isn't really different in most ways than the 99$ predator 212 at Harbor Freight... Don 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,713 #5 Posted May 17, 2022 8 minutes ago, davem1111 said: Was just reading some interesting stuff here related to the Predator engine 3 things to consider with removal of governor... (or the Ghost engine which has already had the governor removed yet HILARIOUSLY still has the stock predator 212 governor gear installed on the crankshaft --just goes to show how the big deal made about the 'forged' crankshaft is just outright BS)... 1: Cast rod is not sufficient for any RPM's above 4,000 (safety purposes) 2: Cast flywheel is not suffieient for any RPM's above 4,000 (safety purposes) 3: Valve float is prevalent at 5,500-5,800 on a stock predator engine... (you can push stock predator engines to and past 6,000 RPM, but valve damage is likely). Beyond what we see with our eyes regarding the Predator Ghost... from an engine builder's standpoint... there are a lot of discrepancies. In my opinion, there is no reason to spend 400$ on a predator ghost engine, when you can get virtually the exact same engine for 99$... Once you buy the 99$ predator 212 engine from Harbor Freight... you can properly modify it in any way you wish... or... better yet... you can spend the money, and start with a quality base, such as a Tillotson 212R... and really make something sweet. I have heard a few guys on the forum say that they are interested in the Predator Ghost engine, hence this write-up. Don 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,713 #6 Posted May 17, 2022 (edited) Lastly, some people would argue that you technically CAN run a cast flyweel, cast rod, and stock valve springs at high RPM. Some people, due to competition rules or whatever, have to run stock internals. That is their risk. For those other than racers, who are just interested in performance engines... you need to be aware of what CAN happen if you attempt running stock parts in performance applications. Don Edited May 17, 2022 by Snoopy11 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davem1111 1,932 #7 Posted May 17, 2022 38 minutes ago, Snoopy11 said: Ha ha... yeah... it is!!! The one thing I will say... the Predator ghost engine isn't really different in most ways than the 99$ predator 212 at Harbor Freight... Don Interesting - I saw those engines in HF a few weeks ago, and just in passing thought "those prices don't seem too bad..." But as usual, you get what you pay for, unless you fall into some really lucky deal (like I did with the GT-1848 with the Honda GX610 engine on it for $200 ) 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,713 #8 Posted May 17, 2022 6 minutes ago, davem1111 said: you get what you pay for Not getting screwed is also helpful... Don 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 6,364 #9 Posted May 17, 2022 3 hours ago, davem1111 said: That's a fine looking engine you put together. I personally have never messed around inside engines much. I still have an old Honda 125cc 4 stroke motorcycle engine that I may play with but have nothing to put it on ... unless.... maybe a Wheel Horse? Was just reading some interesting stuff here related to the Predator engine: https://gokartnerds.com/predator-212-governor-removal/ There is a square hood roller without an engine not too far from me...... 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davem1111 1,932 #10 Posted May 17, 2022 1 hour ago, 8ntruck said: There is a square hood roller without an engine not too far from me..... Hmmm.... well, I actually have a 416-8 here with a siezed Kohler engine. Wouldn't that make an interesting combination, to put a Honda 125cc motorcycle engine on that? The bike engine is probably a 3 or 4 speed, with a chain drive. I could swap out the drive pulley on the 8-speed for a chain gear, then I'd have a lot of speeds to choose from. It would be interesting, to say the least, trying to rig up a clutch with no brake and a foot brake on the right, or maybe I'd just put handlebars with hand controls on it. It's good that there are people here who have fabricated a variety of unusual things... 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davem1111 1,932 #11 Posted May 18, 2022 (edited) Apologies for the horrendous color scheme on this one... Oh, and apologies for hijacking your thread, @Snoopy11 Edited May 18, 2022 by davem1111 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,713 #12 Posted May 18, 2022 1 hour ago, davem1111 said: apologies for hijacking your thread Nah bro... it's all good... I'm da king of hijacks... besides... eh... a couple of other 's on the forum... Namesly @Jeff-C175 @ebinmaine... Don 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,195 #13 Posted May 18, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, davem1111 said: this one. And the saxophone... WTH ? That your Dad Dave? Love those 'ape hangers' ! @ebinmaine said he's going to fit a set on one of his machines. I think they would look great on Collosus ! (funny thing that 'synchronicity', eh Don? @Snoopy11 ) Edited May 18, 2022 by Jeff-C175 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davem1111 1,932 #14 Posted May 18, 2022 10 hours ago, Jeff-C175 said: And the saxophone... WTH ? That your Dad Dave? Love those 'ape hangers' ! @ebinmaine said he's going to fit a set on one of his machines. I think they would look great on Collosus ! (funny thing that 'synchronicity', eh Don? @Snoopy11 ) Funny, I hadn't even noticed the saxophone. I guess that green color was just burning my eyes too much... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 59,686 #15 Posted May 18, 2022 18 hours ago, davem1111 said: I still have an old Honda 125cc 4 stroke motorcycle engine that I may play with but have nothing to put it on ... unless.... maybe a Wheel Horse? I have a 4 cylinder Suzuki GS 550 engine and transmission I thought about seeing if I should graft onto the snowmotractor in place of the 440 Polaris 2 stroke…. That’s got a 13,000 rpm redline, chain drive output on the transmission and 6 speeds. What could possibly go wrong? 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,713 #16 Posted May 21, 2022 On 5/18/2022 at 9:08 AM, Pullstart said: What could possibly go wrong? Nothing... you have a very nice machine with a high quality 2 cycle engine. Try that with Chinese crap... then something could go wrong... 3,000 posts... @Snoopy11 Don 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,216 #17 Posted July 27, 2022 On 5/17/2022 at 3:00 PM, Snoopy11 said: Lastly, some people would argue that you technically CAN run a cast flyweel, cast rod, and stock valve springs at high RPM. Some people, due to competition rules or whatever, have to run stock internals. That is their risk. For those other than racers, who are just interested in performance engines... you need to be aware of what CAN happen if you attempt running stock parts in performance applications. Don Those Chinese cast iron flywheels are soft, I stripped the flywheel key slot out on a stock 212 on a mower. If you are going to use it invest in a good after market flywheel.. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,713 #18 Posted July 27, 2022 13 hours ago, Lee1977 said: If you are going to use it invest in a good after market flywheel.. The worst part about it is... the cast rod isn't any better than the flywheel. I've held various engines in my hands... and I know what quality is... and what junk is... The Predator ghost is an outright waste of money. Further, if you are going to upgrade the predator ghost with a performance flywheel and rod... there is no reason to spend 400$ on a predator ghost. Just go buy a stock predator 212... it's basically the same thing... Don Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
