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Breaking Down the Predator 212 to 223cc Build: A Deep Dive with Red Beard’s Garage

Explore the ins and outs of upgrading the acclaimed Predator 212 mini bike and go-kart engine to a powerful 223cc stroker setup. We break down key differences between the Predator 212 Hemi and Non-Hemi engines, essential parts, performance upgrades, and dyno-tested results from Red Beard’s Road to Horsepower series. Whether you’re learning, experimenting, or building for power on a budget, this guide covers everything from camshafts to carburetors and beyond, helping you get the most from this affordable and popular engine platform.

Is the Wildcat 223 Still the Best Value Small Engine? Breaking Down Pricing, Shipping & Performance

After a customer raised concerns about shipping costs, we took a closer look at the real-world pricing of the Wildcat 223 compared to other popular small engines like the Tillotson 212E, Predator 224, and Ghost 212. In this blog, we revisit our dyno results from Red Beard's Garage and calculate the true cost-per-horsepower and torque of each engine—including shipping and taxes. Even at the highest shipping rates, the Wildcat 223 delivers better value and performance, especially when it comes to features, modability, and long-term reliability.

Is the Coleman B200RSV the Best Budget Mini Bike? A Deep Dive into Performance and Upgrades

In this post, we take a closer look at the Coleman B200RSV—Coleman’s most advanced mini bike yet, featuring front and rear suspension, disc brakes, and a frame built for rugged trails. Red Beard's Garage puts the bike to the test, upgrading its suspension and building out the stock 196cc engine to rival the Ghost 212 in power. We break down the cost, parts, and performance of this build and compare it to popular engines like the Wildcat 223 and Predator 212. If you're wondering whether to upgrade your stock 196 or swap in something bigger, this is the guide you need.

Wildcat 223 Stage 3 Upgrade – More Air, Bigger Power

In this blog, we dive into the Stage 3 performance kit for the Wildcat 223, answering common questions and analyzing new dyno results. Building on the foundation of Stage 2, the Stage 3 kit adds a 26mm round slide carb, billet intake, .265 cam, and upgraded internals—pushing the engine into a new tier of performance. We explore the impact of ported vs. non-ported heads, show how airflow is the key to unlocking power, and compare results with popular builds like the Predator 212. With gains of up to 32% horsepower and a broader powerband, this setup proves the Wildcat 223 is ready to run with the best—and we’re not done yet. Stage 4 is coming.

This follow-up blog dives deeper into Red Beard’s latest video comparing the Wildcat 223 to other popular small-block engines like the Tillotson 212E, Predator 224, and Ghost 212. If you haven’t seen the video yet, be sure to check it out below.

We share why we partnered with Red Beard—his commitment to transparency, education, and unbiased reviews aligns with our mission to grow the mini bike and karting community. This blog expands on key topics from the video: dyno testing accuracy, performance comparisons, dollar-per-horsepower value, and technical breakdowns of components like heads, pistons, and blocks.

Whether you're new to engine mods or looking for data-driven insight before your next build, this blog offers an in-depth look at engine performance, value, and upgrade potential.

The Tillotson engine has had startup problems that make the engine difficult to start and idle. EC Carburetors with decades of experience developing and designing 4-cycle diaphragm carburetors have a solution with small changes to the engine and a blueprint calibration that will help the engine start, idle, and perform far better than it has stock.