Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I have a 15 year old Ariens . ST 924. It came with a 8 hp Techumseh. I'm planning to retiring the engine .  Which is better  a Subaru Robin sx30  with 9.5 hp 4000 rpm max , a Honda GX 390. or a 305 Briggs?  The Subaru does not give me as much  HP as the Honda, but I get more rpm. If i put Clarences kit on my unit then is will be even better. The Briggs is the cheapest , but I do not really know its power output They only tell me 305 cc and 13.5 lbs of torque. My Techunseh is a 318 cc so I guess the 305 Briggs is close to 8 HP. I prefer 12 volt electric start. The biggest Briggs is there 342 16.5 I was considering that one too.