The total cost to build the Ultimate Harbor Freight Go-Kart Engine amounts to $8,725—this is no joke.

      Red Beard's Garage via YouTube

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      Harbor Freight is the go-to option for budget DIY enthusiasts throughout the United States. However, that doesn’t mean that projects using Harbor Freight products can’t become expensive. I’m not just referring to bathroom renovations; this outrageous Predator 670 build from Red Beard’s Garage demonstrates this clearly. He began with a $950 V-twin engine and invested even more money into it than some people allocate for their LS V8 builds.

      To clarify, this is anything but ordinary. It might just be the most extreme Harbor Freight engine project I've encountered, which is why I covered it last week. The person behind Red Beard's Garage has added components to this project that I wouldn’t have considered purchasing for a go-kart. The complete list comprises…

      Holley Sniper EFI system ($1,400 including proprietary USB cable)

      Upgraded camshaft ($530)

      Garrett GT1241 knockoff turbo ($400) and oiling accessories ($140)

      Billet pistons ($460) and connecting rods ($290)

      Alternator kit ($400)

      Billet flywheel ($380)

      Electronic ignition ($340)

      Head work like porting, milling, and O-rings ($300)

      Billet valve covers and rockers ($270)

      Fuel cell ($200)

      AN lines ($200)

      Intercooler core ($160)

      Exhaust manifold ($140)

      Intake adapter ($130)

      Springs and retainers ($125)

      Intercooler pipe kit ($110)

      Intercooling pipe couplers ($80) plus miscellaneous ($40)

      Boost reference fuel regulator ($75)

      Fuel pump ($70)

      Chromoly pushrods ($65)

      When you include the price of the Predator 670, the total reaches $7,225. What!? It becomes even pricier with taxes and shipping, bringing the grand total to $8,725.

      Red Beard’s Garage

      The host already possesses a supercharged Predator-powered go-kart in his garage. He intends to compare the performance of this build with the other boosted one once it’s installed. According to his last video, he plans to run lower boost levels on the turbo engine—12 psi compared to 14 psi for the supercharged version. Power figures are still uncertain as he hasn’t put it on a dyno yet.

      He admits at the end of the video that he could have constructed a more powerful ATV engine for less money. In fact, he could have purchased an entire vehicle with greater power for that expenditure. However, he wanted to explore the possibilities with the Predator platform, which is simple to mount, cost-effective to maintain, and easy to repair.

      I’m glad someone took on this challenge, as I certainly wouldn’t.

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