OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Ride-On Mowers Honda gxv390 vs 12hp briggs

This may be the wrong section to post this, but I couldn't really find anywhere else which would be more suitable. Feel free to move it if so.

Anyway, I'm building a victa pro 12 race mower/paddock basher type thing and have two options for engines. One is the 12hp Briggs that was already in the mower and has been left sitting in an open shed for years with no spark plug in it. Consequently seezing it up. The other option is a honda gxv390 which was also sitting in a shed but it is not seezed and runs fine. Wiring is not an issue at all really
Should I unseeze or rebuild the Briggs, or just stick the Honda in it. Basically, which engine is better in terms of power output, reliability, strength, ect.

Help would be greatly appreciated.

A running Honda is always better than a non running Briggs

How is the bolt pattern on these two engines? Are they the same, do I need to get the drill out? I've heard they are the same but would appreciate an answer because of various reasons that don't allow me to simply test and then make a decision.

I think they should be the same but a couple of measurements would confirm that, shouldn't be too difficult