There are many factors that will determine your success in mower racing. One of them is having good racing lawnmower engines. If you’ve heard stories about last lap passes and inside passes during tight corners, it’s mostly because the driver has the skills and has a good engine.
People who are new to lawnmower racing often ask what the best engine is. There really isn’t a straight answer to that question as different racers prefer different engines, but the most commonly used are Briggs and Stratton and Tecumseh racing mower engines. This is due to their experience in building engines and the availability of high-quality parts.
Replacement parts are important, especially if you plan to be active in lawnmower racing. There will be times when you need to replace parts before and after each race. Additionally, you’ll need to match the performance parts you wear to the track you’ll be racing on.
Popular racing mower engines include:
- 19CID 8HP Briggs and Stratton
- 28CID 12HP Briggs and Stratton
- 31CID 12HP Briggs and Stratton
- 40CID 20HP Briggs and Stratton
- 44CID 20HP Briggs and Stratton
- 14.5HP 28CID OHV Briggs and Stratton only
- 17HP 31CID OHV Briggs and Stratton only
The engines listed above are the most popular and some of them are custom built for racing mowers. But don’t limit yourself to this list, as the Tecumseh engines mentioned above also work well. Even the Hondas are good. It’s just a matter of matching your engine and adapting it to racing your mower.
There are racers that can make tattered old engines look and feel like new again. Racing lawnmower engines are no different than your car engine. Therefore, the modification process is almost the same: replace parts, adapt and polish the intake, drill the block, etc. Just make sure the mods are acceptable in the division you’re competing in.
Different divisions have different rules when it comes to modifications. Sanctioning bodies are strict about this, so you need to make sure you follow the rules. Consider upgrading these areas so you can get the most out of your racing mower’s engines. Again, be aware of your limitations before messing with your engine.
- frills
- pistons
- crankshafts
- Carburetors
- valves
- heads
It’s no different than what you would do to get your car ready for the race track. Proper modification, tuning and testing will earn you that coveted checkered flag. Not to mention a year of bragging rights as the top dog in lawnmower racing.
The best time to work on your racing mower’s engines is during the winter. This way you will have enough time to make all the modifications to your engine and get it ready for the upcoming lawnmower racing season.