Some Lunatic Is Putting A Turbo Onto a Harbor Freight Motor. Plans Insane Go-Kart

Do we think that this heavily modified Harbor Freight-sourced engine is stronger than the company's jackstands?

17:55

Jonathon Klein

By: Jonathon Klein

Jun 8, at 9:08am ET

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Harbor Freight's lineup of Predator engines has long been used to power all manner of powersports vehicles. Due to their relative inexpenseness and ease of operation, the backyard mechanic world of custom machinery has been awash with the engines for years. And they've all had their weird little quirks, as they span traditional go-karts, motorcycles, pit bikes, and even converted kiddie Power Wheels.

Few, however, are as positively psychotic as this build from the YouTube account, Red Beard's Garage.

Why is it noteworthy and worth to qualify as such? Because not only is the YouTuber strapped a stonkin' great turbocharger onto it, he's putting billet internals, and EFI. And did I mention, his plan for the build is to slap the turbo hellion into a go-kart and likely blast off to the moon as soon as he touches the damn throttle.

Can I have a turn?

Our friends over at The Drive first spotted this build—hi, Caleb!—and relay that this is not Red Beard's Garage's first rodeo on wild-ass Predator builds. The creator has a host of other projects, including a second 670cc Predator with a supercharger running 14 pounds of boost. And the current plan, once the turbo model is done, is to race the two and see which comes out on top.

Along with the turbocharger, which normally comes off machinery like a skidsteer or forklift engine, Red Beard's Garage also threw a Holley Sniper EFI kit onto it, with billet components such as pistons, flywheel, rods, and rocker arms. There's also new head work from one of Red Beard's homies at Beckwith Performance, and an upmarket camshaft. It even has electronic ignition, which ain't too shabby for a motor that started life as a 22-horsepower generator.

What do you think?

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Comments

And definitely not bad considering it costs just under $1,000 brand new.

As for just how much horsepower the Predator engine will make after it's done, that's still unclear. The supercharged version of this build makes about 70 rampaging ponies, but that was a couple of years ago. The new turbo model has some tricks up its sleeve, so it could be even more. I can't wait to see this project when it's complete.