Animal Vs. Raptor

Tom Stephens · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2001 5:13 pm Post subject: Animal Vs. Raptor

I'm not very familiar with small 4-cycles other than my snowblower! I'm in engine research for what I will put on my kart. I've been leaning towards 2 cycle as that's what's been on the karts I've driven. I saw some Briggs yesterday that had the same lap times as Yami cans. I think those were the ones running alcohol.
I really like the OHV aspect of the Animal. Can anyone tell me the difference in characteristics (power, torque, sound, ease of maintenance) between the Animal and the Raptor 3?

Tom Stephens
www.kartfinder.com

John Neilson · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2001 6:52 pm Post subject: Animal Vs. Raptor

Tom, are you maybe asking about the Intek, by B&S??

Tom Stephens · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2001 7:10 pm Post subject: Animal Vs. Raptor

John, yes, B&S's Intek Animal, supposedly 6.5 HP.

Tom

Chad Stapleton · Joined: 19 Jul 2001 Posts: 4403

Tom, rather than repeat a heap of stuff here, go look over on www.4cycle.com - kart forum. they have whole forums for this debate plus several other engine options and links that may interest you.
PS;- the "Animal" is a race-ready version of the 206cc 6.5 hp industrial Intek .

Tom Stephens · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2001 8:02 pm Post subject: Animal Vs. Raptor

Thanks Chad! I've been over there, but I was hoping someone here...I like it here

might help clarify the differences or just plain say what they think of running the Animal.

Tom

Bob Vehring · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2001 8:06 pm Post subject: Animal Vs. Raptor

Tom, We've been racing Inteks for about a year and 1/2 now, raced flathead head Briggs for 15 years before that.Ohv Inteks are significtly different from their flat head ansestors,easyest to think of them as a single cyl. small block chevy. Alot of HP potental in the new style head, direct flow through the cylinder, also of note, Materials, design and manufactoring tech, has advanced conciderably since the days our flathead motors first came out. Right now on the right side of the river were waiting for WKA to release their stock class rules for the Animal, should be soon, first race is set for NAKC, Nov2, not sure what IKF is doing. Stock hp should be 9-10, depending on how they define stock, quite a few people around here ( Milw. Wi.) are adding aftermarket cams and bigger carbs, with a little port work were making about 16 hp, a little faster than pipe light at most places we go. The new head adds alot of top end but still retains the broad power of a 4 stroke. For those that like to go fast the aftermarket ind. is starting to roll, billet rods and flywheels, cams and pipes are all currently available, have even seen 4 valve head roller rockers and fuel inj. The above mentioned 16 hp version cost about $600 including the motor if you can do the porting yourself, thats alot of bang for your buck Bob Vehring

Dave Ridenour · Joined: 19 Jul 2001 Posts: 79 Location: Middlebury, Indiana

I agree we need to expand 4-cycle discussion here. As far as I am concerned you are looking at the future of Kart racing. I know that I will be running the Animal platform next year along with a couple of die-hard flathead guys. We have been running a pure stock form of Intek this year and I can't wait to unleash the power.

Dave

Tom Stephens · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2001 5:31 am Post subject: Animal Vs. Raptor

Bob and Dave, thanks! More questions...

1) Can you describe any differences in sound with the Animal over the Raptor?
2) As far as power, I'm very happy with the HPV 4. How will the stock Animal compare?
3) In literature and per Chad, I see that the stock HP is 6.5. Bob, why do you say 9-10?
4) How long between Animal rebuilds?
5) Stupid question, will the 4-cycles fit on any 100cc chassis?

Dave, you say "As far as I am concerned you are looking at the future of Kart racing." Someone might take that as just your opinion, but isn't it true that whether that was only your opinion or not, 4-cycle WILL be replacing 2-cycle? In other words, is it safe to say this is not an opinion, but a fact, with EPA and all?

Tom

Dave Ridenour · Joined: 19 Jul 2001 Posts: 79 Location: Middlebury, Indiana

The overhead valve is quieter. I have driven the HPV-4 and the Stock Animal will be much slower. It will fit some but not all chassis easily. It is my opinion, but you are right, it may become a fact. For you folks in CA the change may come before us in the Midwest. I have been a 2-cycle guy guy from the start and still drive an U.S.820. So what I was looking for was a similar speed and maintenance and I think we have found it with the Animal.

Tom Stephens · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2001 5:17 pm Post subject: Animal Vs. Raptor

Thanks for info! OK, can someone tell me what modifications are permitted in Briggs Spec Limited?

Tom

Bob Vehring · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2001 9:14 pm Post subject: Animal Vs. Raptor

Tom, not familiar with that class, I also am from the Mid west (Dousman Wi.), as of right now the only organized class we have is F200 with the IRA/BNSS, this class not only use the Intek but also OHV motors from Tec. Honda and Kolher, we are expecting rules from WKA any time now for stock Animals. I agree with David stock Animal is no match for an HPV, but change cam/carb and your right there, at least on a sprint track, broad power band really helps here. I also feel The Animal will be the motor of the future, basicly two reasons, theres alot of realy impressive motor starting to show up, the Inteks advantage is, it can produce anywhere from 9 - 20 hp at a very reasonable price, Over here we saw the wka Constructors cup die a few years ago, it was aimed at the very upper levels of racing, but in the end very few racers could aford it. Reason num. 2 Briggs has a very long history of puting their money back into our sport, on al levels local right up to the Nationals, this is required to keep our sport growing and I just don't see any other manufactorers that have done that Bob

Bob Vehring · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2001 9:23 pm Post subject: Animal Vs. Raptor

Sorry I forgot to answer your question concerning hp ratings,6.5 is what the Intek is rated for ind. apls. When this motor was turned in to the Motorsports Animal it got different carb, porting and a daul bearing crank among a few other changes, my guess is between 8 - 10 depending on what the rules will define as stock and how far the motor builders push these rules Bob

Chad Stapleton · Joined: 19 Jul 2001 Posts: 4403

Tom,
there are only a few "2-stroke" chassies that you can fit a 4-stroke on without cutting & welding the seat stays and rear x member ( to clear the inboard sprocket).
Look for a chassie with "loose" clamp on type seat stays, and a rear x member well forward of the axle on the motor side. A good example of this is the Birrel AR4 (pictures & diagrams on their we site)
Personally, i believe a 4-stroke should be mounted on the LEFT side of the frame to keep the clutch & sprockets away from the drivers arm and make sprocket changes easy. BUT, those chassies are real hard to find !
PS;- dont ignor some of the other 4-stroke motors, Briggs may be the most talked about - but that does not mean its the best !!
Cheers.

Tom Stephens · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2001 4:29 pm Post subject: Animal Vs. Raptor

Dave, Bob, Chad, I really appreciate you all taking the time to answer my questions. I'm going to the track this weekend to hopefully find out more.

Tom