Current engine choices for the USA?

[TedV]

I’ve been trying to decide what engine to get from the list below. I would like to use a Harley style transmission like an Ultima 6 speed. The bike I described to a friend a few years ago is pretty much Heiko’s drive train except on a sport-cruiser frame. Looking for lower weight not tons of weight. Able to accelerate with or slightly faster than traffic and run hwy speeds here. 70mph is speed limit but some reserve power to make it up hills is needed. I would like to get 96mpg US or more. My car averages 48 mpg US. According to Heiko's latest post on you-tube, his is getting 2.5-3 L / 100 km, translates to 79 to 94 mpg US. At 2L/100KM it's 118 mpg US.

1) Punsun 22hp V-twin. It looks like I might be able to get one for about $1500 delivered. I need to decide soon if I want this engine. But I am not sure if I won’t pay more later with this one. I feel I would need to take it apart as soon as I get it to smooth out its roughness and even then the alloy of the case may give out to vibration. I’m curious to see how the rubber vibration isolators work out on TCFB’s new ride. Not sure how easy parts are to get in the USA.

2) Briggs & Stratton 3 cyl, 3/LC, DM950D. 26hp Same as a Diahatsu I belive. Around $4000. Parts easily found

3) Kohler KDW1003, 3 cylinder 26hp. Same as Lambordini in Europe might cost a little more than the Briggs. Parts easily found

4) Kubota D902. 22hp A little less HP than the Briggs and Kohler. Parts easily found.

5) Not really an option but some VW car engine. I know a LOT about VW’s but only have the 4 cyl 1.6 or bigger 1.9 here. Will be way heavy at about 300 lbs. I might be able to import a 1.4 TDi 3 cyl but still is too heavy in my mind.

I figure the minimum HP I need for my applications is the 22HP punsun. The 26 HP other 3 would be much better quality, although almost twice the price and a little more weight. I’m unsure if any pump mods to the plunger would be needed on the 3 liquid cooled engines. Not sure if they are constant RPM or what.

Comments?
In short, I’m on the fence about getting the Punsun and need to decide soon.
Have I missed any other better engine options? HDT engines are not available at this time to the best of my knowledge.

[roverthetop]

$1500 USD for the punsun is a lot. spares are easily obtained as well. pm for less if you'd like. don't forget the kipor and lombardinis. lombardinis are a bit on the spendy side, but good quality from what i've used.
my .02$

[thundercougarfalconbird]

the rubber mounts work fine its a slightly tricky situation getting it isolated , that punsun has alot of vibes, it runs well got about 400km on it now, power is reasonable, and you can out run cars at stop lights, its not the most refined engine but the price and light weight make it very attractive, time will tell how long it will run, i am still messing around with injection timing to find something that works better then were it was set, my gearing is a little bit tall, 5th gear runs easy 2500 rpm at 120kph about 70mph, not sure about fuel consumption yet. if your looking for smooth power it is not the engine of choice. as far as parts if you email frank at punsun he can set you up with all the parts you need, they are not expensive and from my experience of getting stuff from china to canada is about a week by the slow postal service

[LocomotiveBreath]

18hp Briggs Diesel new on CL

See:
http://detroit.craigslist.org/tls/1109812929.html

[TedV]

I'll do some searchin on the Kipor.

the 18hp Briggs is a deal, but not as much HP as I think I need.

I think the Kohler KDW1003 is the same as the Lombardini LDW1003. My thoughts a few years ago was for the Briggs 3LC 26hp, but when I heard Kohler was going to sell the KDW1003, I started again looking into building a bike. Emissions better on the KDW1003 compaired to the others?

thanks

[roverthetop]

i isolate my punsuns this way:
i brake a metal pan, 18ga metal, 1.25" tall sides, place 1" rubber mat (rubber plate?) inside, 12ga steel top plate, all holes drilled and bolt it together. i leave a bit of "squish room", seems to do fine so far, letting the engine float as needed.

the briggs seems a good choice especially for a lightweight, aerodynamic bike.

[LocomotiveBreath]

I'm sold on the 3LC Turbo, still have one polished on my bench!
There is one in a Snowmobile @40hp and 68ft lbs. (92.2NM)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwdAR9Yb3KA

I think the 2 Deutz/Ruggerini RD270 (74ci, 1205cc) engines I have will perform well not to mention the Hatz 2G30-2G40 are a good choice. I'm very pleased with the RD211 in my Honda.