Understanding Stroker Kits and Upgrading to a Super Ghost 223

In this detailed blog inspired by Red Beard’s latest video, we dive into the technical aspects of stroker kits for 212cc engines—explaining key components, piston and rod designs, and how to accurately measure deck height. Learn how increasing stroke to 58mm boosts displacement, torque, and overall engine performance. Whether upgrading a Predator, Tillotson, or Ghost engine, this guide covers everything from pistons and connecting rods to crankshaft clearance and assembly tips—setting the stage for Red Beard’s upcoming Super Ghost 223 build.

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.

Wildcat 223 Stage 2 “Ghostbuster” Upgrade – Red Beard’s Road to Horsepower Continues

In the latest installment of Red Beard’s “Road to Horsepower” series, the Wildcat 223 receives a Stage 2 upgrade—nicknamed the Ghostbuster. This build is designed to match and exceed the performance of the Ghost 212, while maintaining reliability and drivability. Featuring a billet flywheel, forged rod, non-rev limited coil, and a performance camshaft, the Stage 2 Wildcat delivers more torque, a wider powerband, and nearly 2 more horsepower over the Ghost. In this blog, we break down the reasons behind each upgrade, compare dyno results, and show why this budget-friendly beast isn’t afraid of any Ghost.

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. 

In the world of performance camshaft selection is often a critical choice in how your engine performs. Small engine racing, unlike the automotive world, there are limited choices in cam builders and cam catalogs. Around the time we had the concept of what would become the Tillotson 225RS we started piecing together what components we needed to achieve a strong power band for a relatively low rpm engine ideally for mini bike engines. 

EC Tech Review: The new Tillotson Racing Blocks designed by EC Carburetors

We have been the primary Tillotson importer and distributor for kart racing for over 35 years. Not only are we master blueprinters that can get the most from a Tillotson carburetor that dominate the limited and open races across the country, but we have also designed many different base models for Tillotson in that time. Tillotson trusts our knowledge and expertise. That's why they came to us to help them develop their engine programs. 

Competitive Driving

You know, I get asked over and over and over, “How do you make a mower go fast?” There are many ways to do this, but in my opinion, there are many ways to go fast that have nothing to do with the motor. I will discuss one of the most important, Driving Ability.