OK guys i would like a lot of input on this subject (and that would be productive input please). argue among yourselves if you want but give me some ideas. give me some input about if you could build any kind of drive yourself and market it, what would it be? i know there are numerous manufacturers out there but let's keep the conversation about the larger style drives such as Boss, Pro Drive, Gator Tail, etc, and what you like and don't like about them. for example, even though i work with Bayou Rentals and he sells the Boss drive which i like there are some issues with it as any other drive.

i like the fact that the Boss drive has a Mercury style forward/reverse gear setup that works well. l like the belt drive on the Gator Tail which is simple and provides some cushion to the engine in the event of the propeller striking something. i like the reverse capability of the Pro Drive but it has a lot of mechanical workings to achieve that. i know everyone wants more power and all i will say is I'm looking at that proactively for the near future. give me some ideas on what you would want with engines, big and small and also on the different drive designs and what you would change on them or not change on them. there is no one perfect drive and never will be but improvements can be made in all of them. give some constructive ideas here and you never know what might transpire.

I think the the big briggs is like a 350 chevy and will be around along time. I have had some CnC buddys look at these blocks and say they can write that program. The o shit moment comes in when you price a block of aluminum that big and factor in CnC runtime and you have Nice block for 3grand. I would love to see an aftermarket block and rear cover thats cast with with extra meat in the right places to prevent common cracking and and make a positive lock from case to cover. Expecially for the PD. servicable bearings is a must. Notthat the current ones arent servicable but dam they are high. For us reguardless of what frame it is the ^ is whats on my wish list. Thanks kapt.

I believe the bearings on the kawi are serviceable. They are a roller setup too. If someone could figure out how to crack the rev limit on the dfi, it would be a much better platform than the briggs for a vertical setup.

I think he's wanting to do something with a lot more hp though. Get away from the run of the mill 1000cc 4 stroke lawnmower engine, and into something that can sing..

Yes on the Kawi, but correct, its a f'n lawnmower engine. Need to come up with a closed loop cooling system for an outboard power head. Small with lots of power, but need a cooling medium.

Ive done my share of outboard work. 20 years ago they were very servicable . Most outboards these days take many special tools per brand and many have the chrome cylinders that dont like to be rebuilt. They prefer to sell new stuff.

How about something like a race quad/fourwheeler motor? they can spin high rpms and make good power, just have to be able to get rid of the transmission somehow and make a shaft to mate up

Since you are associated with boss. Figure out what this is and look into this motor as a powerhead.



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hmm or design an affordable vtwin harley engine for them.... plenty of power

thanks for the input so far. keep them coming. some food for thought about what you have offered so far. yes the current 35 briggs is sorta like a small block chevy for conversation sake. problem is the original small block has been replaced by a better version. the current briggs engine is ok for it's intended purpose but not much more if you want more out of it. a billet block is all well and good but then you have a $3000 block on a $2000 engine that still has crap for internals and electricals. if you replace the rods and pistons and such with updated items, then you have a $6000 or more lawnmower engine.

for those who remember and gave me a hard time initially about it, i do have an adjustable digital ignition system i came up with to fit the 35 briggs. i haven't pushed it because it costs as much as the engine itself and i always said from the start i would not try to sell something that is not cost effective for the consumer except in some special application. i do still use this ignition all the time on a test engine that i have in the shop as it allows me to run engine combinations to full potential that other builders can't do and a stock ignition is not capable of. these engines can be made to produce good power, problem is the price tag is high and reliability is low to non existent as either the internals or block will fail in short order. i've heard some people refer to them as 100 mile motors and that's why i stay away from crap like that. the customer pays premium price for something that usually ends being an anchor with very little time on it. the stock ignition was outdated 20 years ago and they still choose to run it but for a lawnmower is fine.

i'm not very familiar with kawa engine but heard it runs well. does it run well enough to replace the 35 briggs when modded and how is reliability? if you could bypass the rev limiter are the internals good enough to live at higher rpm's for any given time? i know about the prototype engine in the picture that is on the Boss Drive. i have an idea of where they are going with that but to me it looks like an awfully bulky package to have to deal with. wonder if there will be a tiller model or just remote steer? i have dealt with lots of harley engines in all forms. it produces good power with minor work and has good longevity. it is really not an option as far as i'm concerned as cooling it would be a major problem and the vibration from it would destroy anyone's brand of outdrive in short order without some sort of rubber mounting and then that would create it's own problems of hooking it up to drive the propeller. those are better left to the bikes.

there are all sorts of engines out there on atv's and bikes but the problem there is something like that is only good for an individual to fool with for his own needs but not viable for the masses because of just trying to acquire any particular engine in quantity. most manufacturers don't supply their engines in complete assemblies outside of their own needs. that goes for using an outboard engine also in my opinion. keep it coming, gives us lots to talk about

Prodrive, with a Kawasaki, and instant reverse, along with FPR.
Id buy dat!

Im looking around right now for a CC, Prodrives have been good to me, but I may really try out the GTR with Electric reverse.

One of these that doesn't cost $12k!!! 105 pounds 110 hp @ 6200 rpm... With charging system capable of powering a village, please. http://www.recpower.com/images/3003/f30epe.gif