Repower, Don’t Replace

When older model cars and trucks have engine failure, you rebuild or replace it. Why should it be any different for your small tractors, golf and utility carts? You can use a repower kit to get your small engine machines back on the road.

Cost vs. Savings

You don’t have to repower your worn out engine, you could trade it in on a newer model, replace the engine with a used one, repair the problem or install a new engine. You could buy a brand new engine for your ‘70s truck or replace the vehicle altogether but that doesn’t always make sense.

Trading in a used Cushman Truckster utility cart may get you a shiny new model but you’ll also have the payments of a new machine. With a troublesome motor, you may only see a few hundred dollars of trade-in value but you’ll end up paying $10,000 or more for your new one. If you trade it in on a used cart, you may save some money but will likely have more repairs in the not-so-far future.

You could fix the engine damage and address only the current problem. This is a good idea if you have a pretty new and seldom used cart. A starter could cost $100 or more, a replacement cylinder twice that. Not to mention the time it takes to do the repair yourself or added cost of hiring a mechanic. Even then, there’s no guarantee another engine part won’t break down the very next time you start up your small engine equipment. If you’ve put more than a couple thousand hours on your utility or golf cart engine it’s probably time to repower it.

Once you’ve determined it’s time for a new engine, you have three main options – a new one, a used one or repowering. If you swap a new engine for your old one, you are replacing it with the exact model that your machine originally shipped with. This stock engine will cost you more (thanks to the brand name) and offers no upgrade.

You can install a used engine but you may be purchasing a lemon and not know it for a while. You don’t know how the previous owner or owners cared for or maintained the engine. In the long run, a used engine could be much more costly than a repowered or even a new engine.

When you choose to repower your engine, you will receive a completely remanufactured or rebuilt engine, fully compatible with your equipment. Some of the parts of a repowered engine are replaced completely and all parts are checked to ensure they exceed or meet the original standards set forth by the manufacturer. Repowered engines come with great warranties (like a new engine) with a cost savings because there are no new manufacturing costs (like a used one.)

Upgrade by Repowering

Another hidden benefit of repowering is the option to upgrade the power. While your Cushman Truckster may have come equipped with an 18 HP engine, you can upgrade to a 24 HP Honda small engine by repowering for just over $2000. Consider the savings of buying a new cart just because you figured out you want a stronger motor.

What’s Included

Depending on where you receive your repower engine or kit from, what you get can vary. Take, for example, the repower kit you order from Repower Specialists, Inc. for the Club Carryall I or II built after 1997. For just under $1400, you’ll receive the rebuilt engine and mounting plate, muffler system, drive and starter/generator belts as well as a replacement choke cable. Not only that, you’ll receive step by step installation instructions and freight to your US location is included in the price.

One of the benefits of using Repower Specialists, Inc for your repowering needs is their commitment to quality. They don’t sell repowered engines by no-name companies, they only carry the best from Kohler, Briggs and Stratton (Briggs Vanguard), Honda and Kawasaki. They back up their products with a two-year manufacturer warranty that covers parts and labor. Try getting that with a used engine or repair. And for less than $3000, you simply won’t find a new engine or cart anywhere.

-Ben Anton 2007