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So you’re in the market for a new pit bike engine? If you’re anything like us, chances are you’ve blown your existing engine, have plans to upgrade, or are in the process of concocting some Frankenstein setup (see this R1 powered go kart)that was never intended for the engine in the first place. Regardless of which one of those buckets you fall into, congratulations! We live in a world where manufacturing and technology have come together to bring you a plethora of pit bike engine options that will have your new power plant at your front door in just a matter of days. What a time to be alive.
If you don’t yet have one of these awesome little rides, you should definitely check out our write up on the best pit bike options available. So, we thought we’d branch out today and spend some time getting back to basics. Pit bikes have been around for decades. For many of us, the pit bike (maybe a little pw50?) is what got us into this love affair to begin with. Nowadays, the pit bike engine has taken on a life of its own and enthusiasts are able to replace them on their own and swap them into just about any chassis where they fit!
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Which pit bike engine is best for my project?
When it comes to choosing the right one, a number of factors can come into play. You definitely want to approach this purchase with a clear plan of action to avoid wasting both time and money. There are a few questions you want to ask yourself up front in order to make sure you’re picking the perfect engine for your particular project. First of all, what type of chassis are you working on? These engines are great for pit bikes (obviously) along with small ATV’s, go-karts, scooters, and mini choppers! Aside from make sure it will fit, you want to make sure you’re picking something with enough power to get you moving.
In the event you’re working on a straight replacement for an engine that no longer works (i.e., you sent it a little too hard), this should be pretty straightforward. As long as you’re picking up a similarly sized motor, you should be good to go. You will also want to consider whether you want a two stroke or four stroke engine. If you’re unfamiliar with the differences between the two, here is a basic breakdown. The four stroke engine is the most common, and usually takes straight gasoline from the pump. On the other hand, the two stroke engine will require you to mix a small amount of oil in with each gallon of gasoline. Now, lets dive into some of your options.
TDPro 50cc 2-stroke pit bike engine
This solid little 50cc platform has the benefit of being made by TDPro, a trusted brand in this space. This air cooled 2-stroke platform comes in right at 49cc’s and is perfect for any small pit bike, scooter, or ATV. It may be too small for a go-kart. It features a 14-tooth T8F (8 millimeters in diameter) drive sprocket with third bearing support. If you’ve never heard of that, it just means added protection for your crankshaft. The bore and stroke on this setup is 44mm x 34mm. It features a CDI ignition and a good old diaphragm-type carburetor.
Wingsmoto Big Bore 52cc 2-stroke pit bike engine
This thing just looks fast, doesn’t it? If you want to look fast before even take off, the Wingsmoto pit bike engine is a great option. It bumps the power up with a few more cc’s in the combustion chamber and breathes in through a slick little high-flow air filter. This engine will take an oil and gas mix similar to that of the TDPro since it is also a two stroke operation.
However, the major difference between these two engines out of the box is in the drive system. Where the TDPro has an 8mm drive sprocket, the Wingsmoto comes with a 6mm unit. While this might not sound like much, it’s quite the difference. In fact, one of the most common initial changes that bikers make to their rides is gearing. Gearing your bike simply involves swapping out one or both of your factory sprockets for different sizes. Typically, you swap the drive sprocket out for a smaller one, which gives you more acceleration (and a bit less top end). In this case, the Wingsmoto’s 6mm front sprocket is designed to deliver a heavier punch down low, giving you great acceleration off the line.
X-Pro 4-Stroke engine kit
If you’re really shooting for big power, or you’ve got a larger machine to move (think ATV or go-kart), you’re definitely going to want to consider going with the tried and true 4-stroke platform. This platform from X-Pro is found on mini factory mini bikes and is a straight replacement option on many models produced by TaoTao. It features a semi-automatic transmission with 3 forward speeds and reverse, and even has electric start! It will crank out nearly 8 horsepower with a 9:1 compression ratio and a two-valve head. This configuration is super similar to what you’d find on a Grom, without the fuel injection of course.
Need project ideas?
Probably the most common use would be a direct replacement swap for your current pit bike. Many people mistakenly think that when their factory motor falls prey to the full send lifestyle, they need to replace it with an identical setup (exact same manufacturer, etc). That’s not the case! Over the years, many people have successfully swapped a unit from TDPro into their bike with very little headache. Another sweet option is the mini chopper. These small framed bikes are incredibly cool. They are known for the same low-riding, long-raked front end of the big chopper bikes you see on the streets. The only difference is that they’re about a third of the size. Many of the 100cc-125cc engine platforms out there are perfect for these projects.
No matter what you’re working on, these are just a few of a slew of options out there on the market today!! Get to it!
