Mystery 6x6???

[jpswift1]

Does anyone know what kind of machine this is? I see that it has a T-20 in it and that its fiberglass, but thats all I could tell you.

eBay Motors: six wheeler argo snowmobile engine project (item 140119265560 end time May-20-07 08:55:40 PDT)

[Don]

That would be a Starcraft: one of the later ones by the looks of it. I remember them being very nimble for a 'glass machine. If anyone wanted a really rare piece to restore, this would be a winner.

[mark m.]

I am now the proud owner of that machine. It's quite rough but definetly restorable. My plan is to put a Geo 3 cylinder motor in it. I've had the motor for some time but just waiting for such a machine to come along for it.
Cheers Mark

[jpswift1]

Very cool project Mark! I see that T-20 in the machine, so you will have a bullet-proof transmission. What kind of chains and sprockets are in there, #40 or #50?

[liflod]

I would restore that one to factory condition.It's too unique.

[mark m.]

Lance, I don't like to mess with 2 strokes any more. It will be stock accept for tires and engine

jpswift1, it has #50 chain from the rear to the middle then it changes to #40 to the front axles.

[whipper-ag]

I know Don won't like to hear this (sorry, Don) but I don't mess with 2 strokes anymore either. Can't afford the spark plugs. I use to carry a toolbelt that had spark plugs in it instead of tools. Looked like I was carrying a 50 caliber ammunition belt. The 4 strokes are just a lot less maintenance & a lot more torque. Personnally, I would change the #40 chain in the front to #50.

[liflod]

Hey Mark,
After talking with Matt at the Ledges, I finally put 2+2=4. I trust your work will do some justice to the machine. I would hate for it to get hacked.
Can you post some pictures of the "Silver Bullet" so these guys can see your work?

[Don]

How heavy is your Geo triple, Mark? I've seen automotive engine transplants, but it's always been in a bigger machine. You'll not have any lack of power, to be sure. I'm interested to see what it's like when you're finished. Good luck.

No problem, Whipper. I understand the drawbacks of the two-stroke and the advantages of the four, but it's just something I can't help. If I had to keep these axial fan two-stroke twins cool in the southwest's heat, I might switch too. I still carry a plug wrench and a couple spares, but with CDI and modern synthetic lubes, they're rarely needed.

If there was a big enough market for the engine manufacturers to build a higher performance four-stroke for our machines, things may change, too. Right now we're borrowing the powerplants from the lawn & garden industry, and as good as they are, they just aren't made for fun machines. I won't venture a guess as to how much you have invested in your engine, but I can almost say for certain that it's out of my price range.

[Beeman]

You can get a used 3 cylinder suzuki for quite cheap.. When I've done my searches for these engines I find it's simply cheaper to buy a whole car, take the engine out (30 min job), steal the wiring harness & computer and send the rest to an auto junk yard or metal recyclers. For me up here it's not uncommon to find something for under $500.

Engine Weight - 139 lbs. (I found that on the net somewhere.. http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/engineweights.html).

[Beeman]

I should also add this, since it's related to the build.

There is a turbo upgrade for this engine, when they are used in airplanes.

"According to Jeron Smith of Raven Redrives the unit will be use Suzuki/Geo 80 HP 3 cylinder turbo engine.

Raven has just completed the development of the Turbo conversion for both the three and four cylinder Suzuki/Geo engines. This gives a power increase of 25% while only adding five founds of weight. Reliability is not affected with the addition of the turbo as the only time it is used is during take-off and climb out. Once flying very little boost is used. In field testing has also shown that the fuel burn with the turbo installed is actually less than a stock engine."

Metro Geo, Suzuki aircraft engine conversion, Turbo for Metro Geo/Suzuki aircraft engine from Raven Redrive.

Wow.. 80hp!

[mad_max_500cc]

ive seen marks work first hand! it will not be hacked! this guy is good! mark post some picts of that silver bullit !

[mark m.]

Thanks for the compliments guys. As far as posting pictures are concerned I had an unfortunate hard drive melt down some time ago and lost everything. My fault for not backing up to cd's. However my old computer might have a few and I will see if I can transfer them over.

Beeman's about right on the weight of the motor. I think I can shave a little bit of weight off by making my own exhaust manifold and getting rid of some of the other periphials.

I am looking forward to the restoration of Starcraft. I presently have the T20 apart and just got the replacement parts the other day so it will be going together shortly.

Mark

[jpswift1]

How did the drums and bands look on that T-20 when you took it apart? Was everything still sealed up pretty well even after sitting out in the weather like it was?

[mark m.]

As some of you requested here are some of my Terra Tiger pictures. Sorry for the quality as I had to scan them from film photographs. Too bad they don't stay as nice looking as when there first finished. My machine has succumbed to some severe trail rash since these pictures were first taken.