2008 Leopard vs. MY09 Leopard

Bailey Murphy · Joined: 29 Sep 2010 Posts: 53

I am not new to racing. But I wanted to hear from people with experience. Plenty of people say the 08 style is faster but then my question is why are they running an MY09? I see drivers that have been doing well in SKUSA since the start the say the 08 is faster but why does almost everyone have an MY09. Is there advantage and disadvantage short, mid long range? Just looking for opinions from people who have driven in both motors

TJ Koyen · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:46 am Post subject:

No difference. 08 seems to like to spin about 200 more RPM but we bring the 09 up to the limiter (17k) pretty regularly so it really doesn't matter.
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Josh Buttafoco · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 2:08 pm Post subject:

I run a Spec gear IAME Cup class that revs to about 16.5k. I am the only one in the class still running a 08 motor. Granted its a strong Woltjer/Cameron 08, I give up nothing to the 09's at this level of competition. Most of my competition are running 09' Swedtech motors for what its worth.

But on the other side... it seems just about everyone at the national events are running the 09's.

Bailey Murphy · Joined: 29 Sep 2010 Posts: 53

I run national events and I am the only one with an 08 which is a fast 08 built my my local kart shop running top 15 at SKUSA. Just wondering if there is something better in the MY09 that the whole feild runs them

steve win · Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 7:26 am Post subject: 08/09 Lep

I think they upgraded the con rod in the 09?

would think its heavier?

may account for the 200rpm......

STEVE

william keyes · Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 8:21 am Post subject: MY09

What about the clutch...we have had 2 of the old style clutches fail in back to back races. My understanding is the new style clutch is a solid metal one like the Rotax. BTW Bailey it is one of your '08 engines, it is fast just not durable or dependable for a whole race day.

Bailey Murphy · Joined: 29 Sep 2010 Posts: 53

I mean im not worried about the durability Ive ran my 08 for the entire Protour series without anything failing and we replace the cluctch once a year. So thats not a problem

Tim Koyen · Advertiser Joined: 26 Nov 2002 Posts: 1556

I don't recall if it was last year, or the year before, but a big name engine builder (one of the biggest) was going around telling people that they needed an 08 to be competitive at Vegas, but turn out the 09 cleaned house at the event.

I thought the only real difference was durability.
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Bailey Murphy · Joined: 29 Sep 2010 Posts: 53

Well I noticed almost everyone runs the 09 but almost everyone says the 08 is faster. I did notice it looked like when I was behind and 09 motor it seemed like they had more mid range power

TJ Koyen · Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 10:38 pm Post subject:

They are identical, performance-wise.
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T.J. Koyen
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Exprit/Leopard

Austen Debord · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 12:15 am Post subject:

In terms of performance, there is no difference. Zero.

In terms of durability and reliability, the are a few improvements on the 09. A re-design of the crankcase has a large finning surface which drastically improves engine cooling. The longer base improves stiffening while also reducing vibration.

The crankshaft has also been strengthened and the clutch hub fixing cone is a example of this. In order to lengthen the life of the main bearings and crankshaft, a third bearing support is located in the clutch cover.

Michael Valiante · Advertiser Joined: 24 Jan 2002 Posts: 110

Austen pretty much hit the nail on the head in regards to the differences. Performance wise they are exactly the same.

Michael Valiante
www.italianmotorsusa.com