Briggs & Stratton Raptor

The Briggs & Stratton Raptor series is a long-running line of single-cylinder, four-cycle flathead engines that has been in use since the early 1970s.

Specifications

Raptor I

The Briggs Raptor 1 was a three-horsepower single plate clutch, a design shared by the other two Raptors. The stock options were an aluminum block with .010-bore pistons, making this setup a good choice for beginners due to its slow acceleration and low top speed. However, a top-of-the-line options package would include an I/C Steel Sleeve Ball Bearing block with I/C Steel .030-bore pistons, bringing the overall horsepower up to four.

Raptor II

The second Raptor, released in the 1980s, saw an upgrade to four horsepower standard. This would be the year that Briggs introduced the aluminum-bore dual-bearing block. It had a cast-aluminum connecting rod that decreased internal mass and improved engine life.

Raptor III

Released in 1995, the third and final Raptor, the Raptor III, had five horsepower. The only thing different from the II was that this one had a cast-alloy crank with a carbon-infused piston. This engine sold phenomenally, however, and almost fazed out its two predecessors. Hundreds of thousands of these engines remain in service today, and are the best-selling racing engine of all time.

Production counterparts

All Briggs flatheads since the introduction of the II have been designed after the racing engine, most notably the I/C. However these engines have none of the racing parts.

The BlockZilla

The Briggs & Stratton BlockZilla motor is a more advanced form of the eirlier Raptor motor. The block is build up to stand more power. This means that the block is about 6lbs heavier. Also the exaust and intake ports are set on an angle. In all, this motor is built to race

External links

* [http://www.briggsracing.com/display/router.asp?docid=101375] A Briggs Raptor III.