Side-by-sides are fun and useful, but their high prices can be prohibitive. As an alternative to models costing over $30,000, a YouTube channel called Robot Cantina has showcased a budget-friendly build: installing a Harbor Freight Predator engine into a Chinese Hisun UTV.
The host, Jimbo, found the UTV with a failed original engine. The challenge was to mount the 420cc single-cylinder Predator engine while retaining the vehicle's 4x4 capability. This required custom fabrication, including an adapter plate, an aluminum bracket, and angle iron to raise the engine for proper driveshaft clearance.
After assembly and fitting a Comet clutch to work with the factory CVT, the 13-horsepower engine was tested. It provided enough power for yard work, even in high range. With used Hisun UTVs available cheaply and the Predator engine costing around $330, this project demonstrates a significantly cheaper path to UTV ownership, albeit with less power than premium brands.