If you are building your own go-kart or are modifying an existing one, I definitely recommend using a carburetor, as it ensures that your go-kart or any other type of vehicle is fed with the right air-fuel ratio.
When it comes to Honda engines, there is no doubt that one of the most popular models is the Honda GX200. It’s one of the best honda engines for go-karts and there’s a reason why there are many clones of them out there.
In this review and guide, we’ll be taking a closer look at the best Honda small engine carburetors, which also happen to be compatible with any of its clones, such as the Tillotson 212, Predator 212 and several others.
Most of these carburetors are also compatible with various small Honda engines which include GX120, GX140, GX160, GX168, and of course their respective clones.
Here’s a quick summary:
- Fireshot VM22 Carburetor – Best Overall
- Mikuni 22mm Carburetor – Most Premium
- Topemai 212cc Carburetor – Budget Option
- FitBest Carburetor – Easy Installation
- Hipa Carburetor – Additional Parts
1. Fireshot VM22 Carburetor
Specifications
- Mikuni clone
- Venturi Size: 26mm
- Comes with kit
The Fireshot VM22 Carburetor is the best Honda small engine carburetor on the market and is also one of my all-time favorites regardless of engine model. It’s extremely reliable and is constructed of high quality materials.
It features a bolt eye-to-eye distance of 48mm, a bolt diameter of 6.5mm and an outlet diameter of 38mm. It’s extremely easy to install and also matches Hondas traditional engine color with its red design.
Although the Firehot VM22 Carburetor is a Mikuni clone, it’s much more affordable making it a great choice. However, it does come with a slightly smaller jet than expected, so you may want to replace it if you’re looking to optimize for performance.
Contents of Kit:
- 1 x Carburetor
- 1 x Air Filter
- 1 x Manifold
- 1 x Gasket
- 1 x Set Screws
- 1 x Mounting Screws
2. Mikuni 22mm Carburetor
Specifications
- Genuine Mikuni
- Venturi Size: 22mm
- Round slide design
The Mikuni 22mm Carburetor is a great premium option for small Honda engines (GX200 or clones) and as it’s made in Japan, it is made of extremely high quality and precision.
Mikuni is known for their round slide carburetors, which are great for go-karts, as they one of the easiest to tune and also helps to more efficiently transition from idle all the way to wide open throttle.
The bolt holes feature a center-to-center distance of 49mm. Take note that the pre-installed main and pilot jets work fine for regular Honda engines, but you may need a 140 main jet and a larger pilot jet if you’re running stage 1 and above mods.
Contents of Kit:
- 1 x Carburetor
3. Topemai 212cc Carburetor
Specifications
- Budget option
- Venturi Size: 19mm
- Comes with kit
The Topemai 212cc Carburetor is a great budget option for small Honda engines as it’s much more affordable than most of the other carburetors on this list.
Moreover, it also contains several additional parts that you’ll find useful, such as three gaskets and an insulator. Apart from being affordable, you’ll also be able to adjust it. While it’s not as adjustable as a Mikuni carb, it gets the job done.
The Topemai 20122 carburetor features a center-to-center mounting hole distance of 42mm, a core hole diameter of 19mm and a choke hold distance of 24mm. While it’s a great budget option, if you’re looking for a more durable carb or something that is more powerful, then it’s best to go with a Mikuni or a Mikuni clone.
Contents of Kit:
- 1 x Carburetor
- 1 x Insulator
- 3 x Gaskets
4. FitBest Carburetor
Specifications
- Budget option
- Venturi Size: 19mm
- Comes with kit
Although the FitBest Carburetor is advertised as a carb for the Predator 212 engine, it’s also compatible with the Honda GX200, as the predator is built to similar specifications.
This carburetor is made in China and is considered basic, therefore, not being optimal for performance. If you’re looking for increased performance, it is definitely recommended to go for a higher quality carburetor.
The FitBest carburetor features a center-to-center mounting hole distance of 42mm, core hole distance of 19mm and a choke hole distance of 24mm. While it comes with a stock jet, I highly recommend you replace it with a larger one before you start the installation process.
Contents of Kit:
- 1 x Carburetor
- 1 x Insulator
- 3 x Gaskets
5. Hipa Carburetor
Specifications
- Budget option
- Venturi Size: 19mm
- Comes with kit
The Hipa Carburetor is the most basic option of carburetors and is also not that easy to adjust, if you’re looking for performance. However, it is compatible with small Honda engines (lower spec models) or any of its clones.
It’s also a great option for you, if you’re looking for additional parts, as it comes with gaskets, an insulator, a fuel line and a fuel filter. If you’re looking for performance instead, it’s best to stick with Mikuni or Mikuni clones.
Contents of Kit:
- 1 x Carburetor
- 1 x Insulator
- 3 x Gaskets
- 1 x Fuel Line
- 1 x Fuel Filter
Buying Guide – Choosing The Best Carburetor For A Small Honda Engine
Choosing the best carburetor for your small Honda engine can be quite tricky if you aren’t sure what you’re looking for. When it comes to selecting a suitable carb, you should take into account several aspects that I would like to run you through in the next segment.
Compatibility
Arguably the most important aspect when it comes to looking for the best carburetor for your Honda engine is to ensure that it’s compatible. While venturi size and carburetor design play an important part, you’ll need to closely look at some of the specifications.
Depending on the model of your Honda engine, you’ll need to ensure that the carburetor can be easily mounted onto your Honda engine. You’ll need to consider the distances between the center mounting hole, core hole, choke hole and more below.
Carburetor Measurements:
- Inner Air Filter Diameter: (in mm)
- Center-to-Center: (in mm)
- Inner Intake Diameter: (in mm)
Take note that there are also outer air filter and intake diameter values.
Performance
When it comes to carburetor performance, you’ll need to look at the design of the carburetor and the venturi size. Let’s take a look at both in a little more detail.
As far as design goes, round slide carburetors tend to have a smoother power transition from idle to wide open throttle, whereas flat slide carburetors tend to have a better power delivery during higher RPMs.
On the other hand, you’ll also need to consider the venturi size. The venturi size determines the pressure that comes as a result of the air-fuel ratio, which flows through the carb and into the engine.
For optimal performance, it’s ideal to have a carburetor venturi size that falls within 1 – 2 mm of the intake valve of the engine. The closer it comes to the intake valve’s size, the more effective the carburetor is going to be, and in turn show a better performance.
When talking about performance, it’s also a good idea to check the jet sizes (both main and pilot jet). Typically carburetors that you’re going to use on your Honda engine will come with a pre-installed main and pilot jet.
These jets are going to be quite small, so consider upgrading them if you’re looking to boost performance. Most of the time, you’ll be able to identify the jet size on the products page of the carb.
Price
At the end of the day, everyone works with a budget. The great news is that go-kart carburetors for small Honda engines are relatively affordable. They can typically range between $15 – $150 depending on what you’re looking for.
While Mikuni carburetors for a Honda engine will cost you more money, they also provide you with better performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, I’ll cover the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions that you may have with regards to carburetors for small Honda engines.
What Small Honda Engines Are These Carbs Compatible With?
Most of these carburetors are designed to fit models such as the GX200, GX120, GX140, GX160, GX168 and various others. They are also compatible with any of their clones, such as the Predator 212 or the Tillotson 212, which are GX200 clone engines.
As they are specced to similar specifications all of these carburetors that are featured and reviewed in this list will also be compatible with them.
Which Carburetor Do I Pick For My Honda Engine?
This really depends on what you’re looking for on your go-kart or the type of vehicle you’re using. If you’re looking for a high-performance carburetor, then it’s best to go for something with a little more quality, such as the Fireshot VM22 or the Mikuni carburetor.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more budget friendly option, then any other carburetor would work. Just ensure that you adjust your carb to suit your needs.
