I am getting a buggy used, with no engine. I have about 200 or more to spend on an engine. What engine should I get (needs pullstart). What engines is very fast, and has good torque? I am thinking about the Hyper 8 port, or Hyper 8 port race (then just buying a pullstart for it) or the ofna picco .26. Which of these is best?

those are all great engines - please try out the search function located at the upper right corner of the page, as there is a wealth of info regarding this topic.

If I am correct, you can now get the hyper race engine with a pullstart already mounted by several vendors. PM RobH about this, as I know he has one.

The OFNA Hyper .21 8-port Race does not come with a pullstart. You can't buy a pull start for it because the crankshaft is different.

Ho Bao also puts their name on the Hyper .21 engines. Ho Bao sells a version of the Hyper 8-Port Race with a pull start. It the exact same engine just released under another company's name. Finding this exact version is kind of hard in the US, because OFNA is the only US importer of Hyper engines. *shrug* I managed to find this version on ebay for $165. You, however, may not be as lucky.

As a word of warning, the pullstart assemblies on the Hyper engines are weak. When I broke my second pullstart, I bought a starter box. Also, if you plan on sticking with the buggies, 80% of the engines are built assuming you have a starterbox (no pull start).

A good starter box is will run you $80-$100 and you can get a 12v gel cell and charger for another $30. $110 is a lot, but it's just another expense in a pretty expensive hobby (1/8th scale buggies).

Do you have to be race legal? (ie .21)? If not, the OFNA Picco .26 runs about $175 and carries a big punch down low. If you can fit a 18T clutch bell, you can keep up with the high dollar .21 engines. It also has a pullstart.

Good Luck,
RobH

Well, the buggy I am also does not have a clutch bell so I was going to buy the 16t clutch bell. But I will get an 18t and the .26 picco. Thanks.

The only thing you have to worry about is space. Once you put a larger clutch bell on, the added size of the gear pushes the engine farther away from the spur gear. As long as the slots for your engine mount are long enough, you shouldn't have a problem. 18T should fit in most buggies. I'm told it fits in mine.

RobH

The buggy is a 9.5 mbx or pro (not sure they are basically the same) Do you know if it will fit in that buggy?