Engine Swap Research

[jmroy]

You're looking at those numbers wrong, by those numbers the 18hp Briggs puts out 38.9 Nm, that's Newton Meters. So you really only gain 6 ft-lbs, not 16.

[Randy Littrell]

Originally Posted by dsmithjr

I have been reading the forum trying to gather info on a possible engine swap. I have a 108 that I am going to use as a yard tractor for pulling my wagon,leaf sweeper and disk and eventually plow with. It has a 12hp kohler with a bad carb and possibly some other issues. I have 2 18 hp briggs opposed twins on other tractors that I am considering putting into the cub 108. I have read that I will have to cut the frame but I have been unable to search and find a thread with more details. Everyone please give me thoughts and ideas other than rebuilding the stock engine. I am looking for a "restomod" type set up for this cub. Thanks so much for this great forum.

You are going to have to cut away quite a bit of frame to get an opposed twin in there I would think. You will have to figure out a way to reinforce the frame. I also think you will be hard pressed to make it a bolt on affair.

I think a v-twin would be easier to fit in if you are dead set on something other than a single cyl. kohler.

I personally would take the Kohler. Rebuild the carb, mill the head about .030 and get your ignition in shape and it will put out some good horsepower!

Not trying to rain on you parade, but I think you would spend more time and money trying to put the twin in.

I love to mod stuff, but its always and one step forward and two steps back!


Good luck with your project and post some pics!






Randy

[800mrk]

Just like to put my 2 cents in. I use, pull, and enjoy cub cadets. I have done a briggs vanguard swap into a 1000 frame for a guy and was not that bad and frame did not have to be hacked to heck, some cutting but looked pretty good when finished. In my opinion the vanguard vtwin is one of the smoothest running engines out there. A 14hp Kohler will not even hold a candle to a 14hp briggs vanguard in pulling. I ran one for a few years against built 301 and 321 governed and had no trouble in being in the money almost everytime out. I love the old flatheads, but these new engines are awesome for someone not concerned for originality. Thanks, Just thought I would chime in since I have a little experience on this issue

[DMegee]

I have been following this tread also, I have a cub cadet 1000 and I have a little Kubota diesel motor that puts out about 22 horsepower. I was really thinking about making a custom puller with these but will the drive train be able to hold the power? Are there really limits to the legendary cubs?

[scgtguy]

They do work out well in a swap ... mine required no cutting of the frame etc. but one the side panels will not go back on my QL. Engine runs very smooth and uses aprox. half the fuel of the k that came out.

[brucer95]

Dang that vangaurd looks good in there! Looks almost factory nice job.

[ajcombs]

Originally Posted by scgtguy

They do work out well in a swap ... mine required no cutting of the frame etc. but one the side panels will not go back on my QL. Engine runs very smooth and uses aprox. half the fuel of the k that came out.

Does the pto still operational when the swap was complete?

[scgtguy]

Yes...stock pto in place...but you have to fab a mounting plate to mount.
also have to fab a motor mount to level drive shaft and fab a drive shaft fly wheel coupler......


B.

[dsmithjr]

Great info so far BUT my engine is not the Vanguard V twin mine is the flat opposed style Briggs twin. I did some basic measurements with the engine still in the Craftsman. The frame width of the Craftsman and the Cub are pretty much identical. The length needed to clear the engine on the Cub is fine. The frame rails in the Cub are high but at a basic glance they would need only minor trimming if at all. It does appear that the motor base plate will have to be modified to the Briggs and the drive shaft height is about a 1/2" difference between the two engines. Please keep in mind these are quick at a glance measurements and not exact. The Briggs has an electric PTO so I could still use the deck and attachments. At this stage I think the major issue is fabricating the fly wheel coupler.I have the Cub 2284 to mow with so I am trying to decide whether to just keep using the Craftsmans for yard work as they already have sleeve hitches and hi/lo range and sell the 108 or sell the craftsmans to fix up the 108 the way I want to use for yard work.

[dsmithjr]

scgtguy,
What are the frame measurements on the 1450 as compared to the 108. They look identical in shape from your picture.