After my 36 Briggs let go I decided to do some real serious research into different power plant options for my ProDrive as BS has always required considerable maintenance IMO. At one point I sorta entertained the idea of an ultralight aircraft engine but soon scrapped that idea because even though you can get 50-100 hp stock it's gonna cost $100 a horse. So back to reality, I began to see a candidate for some serious reliability from what eventually will become a modded motor in Kawasakis FX line of big block engines. The FX1000DFI was my first choice and it is still. However the 3600 rpm max by the E-Gov does present the biggest challenge to me, I'm sure some wiznerd has a programmer that'll make that particular motor an "outta the box screamer". Long story short I decided to try the carbed model (FX1000V) and simply cannot find one negative thing to say about the engine ('cept maybe that the exhaust is butt ugly). This engine pushes my big boat just as fast as the stock BS did, but gets up quicker and recovers faster from cornering w/ my "normal" fishing load and a passenger. Deep water speeds are around 24-25 and the real beauty is that it'll idle for days or if ya goose it the sucker won't even sputter when it comes back to idle. Throttle response is crisp and clean. I put my old K&N on it because they come with a 10lb dual element canister filter and the plugs seem to show a tad lean but the carbs can be rejetted fairly easily. Kawi says "if you hear pinging use higher octane!"

Please update as you go along. This gives me warm fuzzies to see someone step out of the box for legitimate improvement.

I don't type all that fast, guess I was trying to pinch some cuties tail in that class, but I forgot to mention how quiet and smooth this thing is. Tryin' to get a vid posted but... sewing machine!

Few more pics...

When I bought my mower, gravely dealer told me the professional cutters won't touch a Briggs. They all ran Kawasaki. So damnit I bought one too and sewing machine describes it flawlessly

Btw congrats on stepping out of the box

very nice - you'll like it, I got a kawi in my mower too - smooth to the groove like sandwich spread

Man that thing has 3 valves per head? Nice. Cool to see something different bug, hope it works out good for you.

Glad you got her going Bug, man I tell you that guy at LC Customs is one more good mechanic.

Congrats on the build bug, keep us posted on how it's holding up..

Kawi uses hemispheric heads on these and a shorter stroke plus automatic compression release (starts very easily). There are so many well thought out features goin' on here that I can't wait deck the heads and build a high flow exhaust to see what she'll do.

Hopefully ProDrive sees this and takes some notes... That thing looks like it came from the factory with the Kawi on it. Good job!!

Kinda wondered how long it'd take to get the first dick comment... Please elaborate genius!

What I like the most about it is the block. Its bolted to the frame not a sump.

Good deal Lee! Bet you are glad to be back in business


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It's good to have her back up and running for sure. Just to elaborate here, I have absolutely no inside track w PD however I did talk to ProDrive a couple times about this swap and to my surprise was told initially that they weren't aware of Kawi building a motor of this size. From what I've found in my research is that the FX1000 had issues (back in 09-10) when these first came out they had two problems. One with the valve guides and second with cam failure. Kawi stepped up to the plate and informed dealers and service centers to REPLACE the questionable parts on all engines through serial #xxxxx! Since that time the only other problem was a fuel filter recall. I appreciate the heads up AKA maybe next time I'll check w you before I spend my money on whatever the hell I want to. By my calculations if the pos blows by Nostradamas' prediction it'll have a minimum of 3 1/2 years on it which will be about twice what the BS accomplished!

Yep, found some info addressing the info you provided on the cam, and you were right. Thanks for offering up that fact. Seems they fixed the two issues you've already spoken of.

So, what other faults? I ask because I'm interested in these until i see it's a piece, and so far isn't looking like it's even close to that.

This was an issue at 1800-2300 hrs, you say? Kawa seems to have addressed those issues, when they discovered they were a problem. There are quite a few on here that haven't come close to 1800-2300 hrs from a STOCK Briggs. Want to dispute their facts, or will you accept those?

Bug wants more power than the stock briggs or stock kawa offers. The briggs has proven to be inconsistent with those mods, whether mild or agressive. Sure, some hold up for many hours, but for whatever reason, some don't. All of these are admitted experiences from people on here, and from people on lawn care forums (with stock motors, at least) and are the reason Kawa and Kohler has found their way onto many mowers. Briggs hasn't replaced or redesigned anything. Yours have been fine you say? Sweet. Cool. Go ahead and be negative about someone else trying to do something that may or may not prove to be a better engine. It seems to be the thing to do.
So far, just the attention Kawa has given to their design (even to the point of correcting design flaws before they break, instead of after the warranty has run out) proves to me a lot more than Briggs ever has.

I do have one question: Bug, do you happen to know what Kawa considers acceptable compression loss, and if a corresponding valve job by an authorized service center is covered under warranty on a stock engine? I'm curious to see if it's the same standard that briggs sets before they'll cover it. I'm going to call the local kawa service center tomorrow and see.

I'm not downgrading anyone I was making someone aware of the issue and the camshaft issue hasn't been redesigned but probably won't be a issue until u r turning them more than a lawn engine calls for they usually only turn 3600 rpms wide open and that's before the blades are engaged and there twice as expensive to replace than a briggs motor so I don't see a significant gain other than there carb issues and governor issues are differnt but same with briggs if u looking for more performance u will probably change those anyway. Not knocking the guy at all as stated before I don't give a fuk how anyone wants to spend there money And I also think it looks good on the pd but woul like to see how good it holds up also if u want to modify it is there even any performance parts available r r u limited to what u have cams. Rods etc


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Kawi has always done well in the small engine world. I believe they will replace the briggs in the coming years if briggs doesnt step up and make the neccesary changes to be reliable, even under mods.

My laptop is on the fritz Russ, but yes Kawi details everything in their service manual and these babies come w 3 year warranties. I will get a link posted. As for cost AKA is way off base in the fact that BS wants $2800 and the Kawi can be had all day long for $2300. Hell they only get $2800 for DFI mdl! AKA might better shop around.

AKA, shut the fuck up and quit fucking up this mans thread. The Kawy is light years ahead of the Briggs no matter if it does have any issues, not to mention you can get one of these brand new cheaper than the Briggs and the parts are also cheaper. You must've pissed your local mower parts guy off just like everybody else you do and he's ass raping you with prices.

By the way here's the "Service" manual for the Carb Kawasaki http://www.kawasaki.com/kengine/engines ... 082-01.pdf

Here's the one for the DFI version
http://www.kawasaki.com/kengine/Engines ... _eBook.pdf

Feel free to look around at pricing for spare parts "if you'll need them"

One more cookie is the bolt pattern is the same as the Briggs 36hp, only difference is the motor frame bolts are 3/8" in the Kawy and the Briggs is 5/16" so you have to drill the holes in the plate bigger. And there are a few other small items but it's practically a direct bolt on application.

Good deal Bug, looks like you found a suitable replacement. I also looked at the price and it does seem that it is cheaper than the briggs by a good margine. Now on the flip side, if you can get 1800 to 2300 hours out of it before she grenades, unbolt it, drop it in the river and go buy another. I also noticed the issues back in the day. The last recall was done due to air filter fires, hell remove it and put a k/n. I would have more than got my $$ out of it by then. Just need to do a little something about that arm rest exhaust. .

Haha, yeah that thing's not gonna stay long. Got an LC-Customs on the drawing board

Banded the Exhaust isn't and Arm rest...more of a bumper.!

I know the changed the 37 and went with the 35 in the big dog 60-72 mower. My local dealer for big dog told my the same thing and he said Kaw is giving 2000 hours factory warr Briggs don't do that!


Sent from da woods!

JB didn't you hear we're not allowed to start any ride threads anymore?

Gotta start somewhere, where we riding? Will you can ride with me



Sorry lee, for darkening ya thread.

just let me know.