18 to 24 hp conversion

[garretttpe]

Hello All
I have a 24HP vertical Briggs on my lawn mower ( 10 yrs old perfect condition) and a 18hp horizontal on my 2000 Max ll. is it possible for little cost to swap the engines? what would be required to convert these?

thanks
Larry

[Dan67]

Don't.. It is more of a pain then the trade off. You would need to get a new engine plate fabricated to allow the vertical briggs to run on its side. And even if you could I would worry about the engine getting enough oil flowing and the carb would have to be replaced. All in all.. Don't not worth it. Keep an eye on ebay, craigs list, and the like. Used motors do pop up.

[fmints]

Hello All
I have a 24HP vertical Briggs on my lawn mower ( 10 yrs old perfect condition) and a 18hp horizontal on my 2000 Max ll. is it possible for little cost to swap the engines? what would be required to convert these?

thanks
Larry

Larry,

With very little money, maybe a few hundred, you can convert or "Hop-up" your 18hp Vanguard Briggs to a high reving 20hp. You would have to replace the 18's carb and intake to that of a 20hp Vanguard Briggs(double barreled configuration) and add in a rev kit and you'll be set. And if you really want to take it there and increase your power band, change out the cam. You can find these parts below:

INTAKE MANIFOLD
Fuel System
Vanguard Hi Rev Kit
Vanguard Performance Cam

I didn't add up the cost of all of the parts, but trust that it is cost efficient and in the end you will be happy. If you search the site, JPswift started a thread http://www.6x6world.com/forums/engin...ification.html discussing the differences between the 14 and 16, and the 18 and 20hp briggs, and added to that thread is more info on the matter. As it stands and if all goes well, between Cbass and I, we have 3 18hp Vanguards, one which is broken in, and two that only have 5-10 minutes on them. I plan on making one of those 18's a fire-breathing beast once we both return home. If your 18hp isn't hurt, you could over time acquire these parts thru this wonderful network that we have or just buy them flat out. You might even consider freshening up the lower end of the motor as well?! In the end, I would rather spend 300-400 bucks for proven hp and torque over going on a whim, and lets not forget that the briggs is a very dependable Motor even with these advancements, just ask the members that own Bandolera Motors. If anyone can help with more info, please chime in!!

[amphibious drew]

What's wrong with the 18? In a Max II, it's plenty of motor. If you need just a bit more bottom end our of it, change the driven spring to a red one.

[fmints]

What's wrong with the 18? In a Max II, it's plenty of motor. If you need just a bit more bottom end our of it, change the driven spring to a red one.

To caveat with Drew, whats wrong with your 18? Has it lost its grunt? Have you done a compression test to see if the piston rings are bad or a leak down test to check your heads? Maybe, a simple rebuild is all that you need to replenish the life that it's lost throughout years of use!

[garretttpe]

Thanks All
I just installed a red spring in my driven, nothing is wrong with my engine. I am slowly overhauling my Max (T20, driven clutch, and break pads all rebuilt )and I don't need a 24hp on my lawnmower (was going to install a snow blower but bought a tractor with blower on it instead. So I figured why not just swap the two if it would be a fairly easy task. From reading the above post I will do some mods to my 18. I try to do something every 3 months on it during my rotations home. Unfortunately it will take me until after the winter before I am completely done with it. I ran the max hard and didn't take good care of it and now I am paying the piper, After I am done I will be taking much better care,

Thanks everyone

[fmints]

Im sure that you will be more than happy with the upgrades to the 18. I'm anxious myself just thinking about upgrading mine. Continued maintenance, or how we say in the Military: P-M-C-S (preventive maintenance checks and services) is necessary. We are glad to help! Take care!!