[LakeCleElum]

When I raced go karts as a kid, a guy at the track told me to use "white gas". I'm not sure what is was, but it went like hell.

Later I road raced motorcycles for six years; the first few being 2 stokes. What Jeff says about porting is true, BUT (as I found out the hard way): raising the exhaust port is also lowering your compression ratio. I went slower until I figured it out. It was then onto milled heads for higher compression.

I had a friendly machinist that also bored my carbs out 2 mm. Next was automotive coils and a little exhaust work.

Many run more oil in the fuel than they need. 40:1 is considered ideal for most used. Even a racing engine that runs really hard does not need more than 25:1.

I still dabble in snowmobiles. One must remember that carb jetting in a 2-stroke is much more critical and "touchy" than a 4 stroke. Ten degress difference in outside temp. or a change in elevation can make a difference. As always, go as lean as you can away with. As the old saying goes: "A two-stroke always runs fastest just before it seizes!!!" Many snowmobiles are modifed and run slower than a stock one that is well sorted with good (1) jetting, (2) Clutching, and (3) Gearing.

If applicable, gearing is often overlooked and can make a difference.