The starting issues are often related to either a bad spark plug or an intake leak. Doing a leak check and swapping your plug before every race day improves the starting immensely.
I mean it was every single kart on the grid. They started, just alot of sawing to make it happen almost like there isnt a choke.
I donât even have to use a choke on my 206 when it sits for a month. 
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Kinda defeats the purpose of running a low output four stoke IMO. Plugs every race day is something that was arguably excessive for even some of the two strokes turning 21,000 RPM back in the day.
Hopefully they will get figured it out either through technical update or owner education on starting procedure.
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Tillotson has a new carburetor. Starting is much easier now. The Tillotson engine is awesome almost 17 hp and a blast to race. I love my 206 but in love my Tillotoson.
Are you running both classes?
Yes. I run Tillotoson masters at T4 in Palmetto Florida, and my MGM / 206 at all the other Florida tracks along with CKNA.
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17 HP? It must be growing. Their website states 15
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With the new upgrades; 7500 rev limiter, new head and euro pipe that has a larger diameter header pipe increases the hp
Two HP is a big jump.
The only difference in the new head is that itâs been decked for more compression, which has helped low-end torque. However, the camshaft and cylinder head only allow peak power of around 6500 rpms. The engine is faster because you have more rpm, but it doesnât increase the engineâs power output. Itâs still only â15hp,â but that number isnât certified either. That original power figure came from Go Power Sports(the number Tillotson advertises), but compared to other dynos, their dyno is inflated by about 40%, which is how Hewitt calibrates them for engine builders. They had claimed their 212E made 10hp, but it only made 7hp(7 x 40% = 9.8). There are videos of this online.
You must also remember these are corrected numbers, and small engine manufacturers use different correction factors, so you canât really compare them unless you have them on the same dyno. What you should be comparing is the difference in area(under the curve)more than what the peak numbers say.
That said, we donât race dynos; the only thing that matters is lap times.
Youâre correct the only thing that matters are lap times. However, this engine is so fun to drive. It has the power without bogging in the corners and a good top and speed. In my opinion, itâs a better package than the Briggs & Stratton 206. However the Briggs & Stratton will not be replaced by this engine, just another option. If youâve never driven one, I highly suggest it
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I agree with your experience; my shop designed most of that engine, so I know it better than anyone. Frequent problems are caused by the spread of misinformation, which started with GPS. They lack the karting background and experience to support these engines but have a large marketing platform they use to sell them, leading other distributors and dealers to perpetuate misinformation to help them sell the engine.
As in your situation, it leads to other assumptions that also spread and, over time, become false facts, which raises expectations. For example, if the engine is 17hp out of the box, what happens when itâs âblueprintedâ? There becomes a domino effect where engine builders who are not seeing 17hp on their dynos are recalibrating them so they can tell their customers what their gains are(itâs the reason Hewitt already sets up dynos with around 40% inflation); otherwise, they will have to explain the engine doesnât make 17hp out of the box, and you assume you have a dud(a partiality issue) or youâve been lied to about its performance. Thatâs just one example.
You also have a dilemma in karting, as in most businesses, where you will not support a product you didnât sell. So, if you bought your 225RS from Kart Rising and have a problem they canât help you with, another Tillotson importer doesnât want to waste their time helping you. Since Tillotson is in Ireland, you likely are not getting them on the phone. Since weâve been the main Tillotson Importer for 40 years, many assume we were Tillotson, and we get the calls.
I address the misinformation in public forums to reach more people. I want the class to be successful, and I believe I could very easily grow to be bigger than Briggs, but the dealers and distributors need to step up to be better educated and more informed.
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Sounds like the clone situation, some people were not interested and then everyone started to sell them, without knowing much about them. I would like to see less marketing and more support by them especially since it targets new racers. Glad to read some actual experience. I would like to try one but hard investment at this point in time.