HG Racing has presented a kart racing team continuously since 2005. We are strong supporters of the Briggs Racing Program, running both Animal and World Formula Engines. We have raced both gas and alcohol classes at the 4 Stroke Grand Nationals collecting several Screaming Eagles and six Duffies. Recently, we have watched the strong increase in the LO206 Racing Program using the sealed engines. From the beginning, it was apparent that there would be a need for the engines when worn beyond racing usefulness, and a place for experienced drivers to advance.
Our team has extensive experience with the Briggs World Formula Engine, starting when a new, fresh World Formula was the preferred option, then advancing through the years as decking and milling began to be introduced to provide allowable pop-outs. The in-the-box ready to race World Formula Engine available for $999 has advanced to a carefully blueprinted engine that produces 12.2 to 12.5 horsepower at a cost of approximately $1,800. This was not the direction we perceived that experience LO206 rivers would choose to transition into.
We expressed our concerns to our engine provider, Jim Frantz of Faster Motors, and he said that he also had been giving though to what could be the re-use options for the LO206 engines. The 206 Super Stock Engine Transformation Kit that Jim has developed is the perfect answer. At HG Racing, we believe so strongly in this new racing package that we have put our World Formula engines on the shelf and have been building and testing the 206 Super Stock Engines. In following the posted blog, we believe that most concerns in this engine development have been correctly explained, but possibly a few have been overlooked.
- The block/head/crank donor can be Animal or LO206.
- The open ignition, no rev limiter, allows more tuning at the track. We use the Animal Coil but the 206 Super Stock also has a billet rod, (World Formula Style), a Dyno Cam that has quick ramp, a high compression piston, and improved valve springs. This is where the 206 Super Stock differs in performance from an Animal.
- With the open ignition, we have been able to add teeth to the rear gear to get a better pull out of the corners, and at the top end, we can hit over 8,000 RPM before experiencing valve float.
- The engine can be configured to run gas or methanol fuel. We use locally produced methanol that is available in a 5-gallon pail at a cost of $32.73. The cost of VP Race Gas has been running between $12 to $15 per gallon (California Pricing). Even with the larger carb jets, and higher rate of consumption, the Methanol is less expensive to race with than race gas.
- The head and block temperatures are greatly reduced when running methanol. High head temperatures which have cause failures in 4-Stroke Engines in the past are no longer an issue.
- The engine platform is simple and produces greater horsepower than a World Formula. It is also much more affordable. We obtain work LO206 or Animal Engines at a core cost of approximately $200, and the 206 Super Stock Kit at $410. At a total cost of $610, the 206 Super Stock Engine has a very low cost for a high performance 4 Stroke Kart Engine.
With all programs, there are drawbacks. Over the past few seasons, I have noticed that many of the drivers that race in LO206 classes show up to the track and climb into a kart that is professionally prepared and maintained. The LO206 sealed engine made it easy for large teams to field many “arrive and drive” racers. The 206 Super Stock is the perfect upgrade to those who have the desire to learn and understand a new operating platform. If you choose to use methanol, the engine needs to be drained down and pickled before storing away. We are fortunate in Southern California to have Terry Nash as he can provide the technical support to racers that may be unsure of how to enter this racing format.
In short, there is an abundance of donor engines available, the build and operating cost is affordable, technical support is available, and the engine produces great power and will live at 8,000 RPM. The 206 Super Stock Engine deserves your consideration.