How much horsepower does a stock Predator 212 make?
Engine output on a stand — there is no drivetrain and no chassis in these numbers, which is the same basis Harbor Freight rates the engine on. Simulated at 800 ft and 75°F; thinner air makes less power and wants less fuel, so both the horsepower and the jet move with them. Governor in place, holding roughly 3,600 rpm. Compression 8.50:1.
Out of the crate, governor in place, stock muffler, stock carb, stock cam. Harbor Freight rates the engine at 6.5 hp and the model lands right on it.
The governor is what you are actually looking at. It starts closing the throttle at about 3,600 rpm, and the engine makes its peak just under that — not because it has run out of breath, but because it is not allowed to keep going. The power is already in there.
That is the whole reason the 212 became the engine it did. Everything on this site starts from this number, and the first meaningful change to it costs nothing but an afternoon and a side cover gasket.
The build
| Engine | Predator 212 Hemi (Gen 2) — 27/25mm valves · 5.5mm stems |
|---|---|
| Governor | Stock governor in place (~3600 rpm limit) |
| Piston | Stock flat top — Hemi OEM (ARC DJ-1285PH · .550" CH) |
| Head | Stock Hemi head — as-cast factory |
| Head gasket | Stock HEMI — fiber .045" (ARC DJ-1310TP) |
| Camshaft | Stock cam — Hemi & Non-Hemi factory grind |
| Valve springs | Stock springs (~10.8 lb) |
| Retainers | Stock retainers — OEM (ARC DJ-1040) |
| Valves | Stock valves — OEM |
| Rocker arms | Stock rocker arm — 1:1 ratio |
| Connecting rod | Stock rod — OEM aluminum |
| Flywheel | Stock flywheel — cast iron |
| Ignition coil | Stock coil — factory (no rev limiter) |
| Carburetor | Stock Mikuni clone 18mm — Hemi factory |
| Air filter | Stock foam filter — factory |
| Exhaust | Stock muffler — factory |
| Fuel | Pump 87 octane |