What should I use?

[shurikanx1]

I am new here and have been looking around the site to look for what engines I should use, and not be to expensive. One of the big problems with a gas engines is the gas prices these days...
and then Electric I here does last to long, but its possible to recharge battery. I at least want like 15MPH. So I would like to know, Gas or Electric. Then I want to know what engine or something that would give it enough power.

[sayre315]

well depends on what your making, but i prefer gas just cause the fact that i dont like having to charge a battary
but briggs and stratton engines can be realy cheap
usally a 3.5 will push a mini bike around 25mph with good torque

[Kenny_McCormic]

For the price of an electric setup I could buy a beat up 5hp briggs and enough gas to run it every weekend for years. They run for 1-2 hours on a gallon of gas.

[AutoMX]

unless you get some giant engine, gas prices shouldnt affect you. if they do, you're way underestimating the price of these things anyway. over a few hours you may use a gallon of gas, which is let's say $5 or so.

[oscaryu1]

Unless you're running methanol or such, you have nothing to worry about. A 30 minute ride on my modified Clone still only takes about 1/6th of the tank.

[Walter Keller]

You gotta be kidding right - Elecric is boring and expensive.
No smoke no fumes no noise no fun. I know theres some very fast electric vehicles but there way out of the average guys knowledge/price range. Theres lots of cheap gas engines on craigslist.

I'm Finished - gotta go fill my jerry cans with gas just in case we end up with a hurricane in my back yard - gen set fuel.

[shurikanx1]

Ok, so do you knowe were I could get an engine like that for cheap? Online or even at like a local shop or something

Off of the Northern Tool website I found http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_47829_47829

Is that a good price for it? or could I get the same, if not better one for cheaper?

[Kenny_McCormic]

Go to a tool sale or harbor freight and buy a 6.5hp "'blue motor" for $100.

[shurikanx1]

Jst checked those and couldnt find that item but found others:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96549
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96500

[Kenny_McCormic]

Thats what im talking about.

[shurikanx1]

Oh, well ya those are both pretty nice(although currently I know Jack about engines) I think, pretty good price for 6.5HP

[oscaryu1]

Stock, they make about 7HP. Ungoverned, 8HP. I have the dyno sheet if anyone wants it. With a header, 9HP. Power houses.

[Kenny_McCormic]

Stock, they make about 7HP. Ungoverned, 8HP. I have the dyno sheet if anyone wants it. With a header, 9HP. Power houses.

IF you dare spin the stock flywheel to 5200 RPM. But even mostly stock they are amazing for the extra $200 it takes to make one "safe" at that speed(flywheel, con rod, and stiffer valve springs).

[shurikanx1]

Something that came to mind while at school is would it be possible to take the engine out of a 1994 Ford Taurus and use that for a go kart engine?

[Kenny_McCormic]

You could take pretty much everything forward of the firewall (wheels, axle, trans, computer, etc) and put it on the back of a big cart.

[oscaryu1]

IF you dare spin the stock flywheel to 5200 RPM. But even mostly stock they are amazing for the extra $200 it takes to make one "safe" at that speed(flywheel, con rod, and stiffer valve springs).

A.R.C. has tested a stock flywheel for Clone racing (their yellow clones they sell for racing), and have vertified it would not explode at 5500RPM. Stock rod has been known to do 6500-6700. A Genuine rod can do bursts of 7000. Proof everywhere. I read it up myself.

Also, the magnet on the Clone flywheel came off at 10,000+ RPM. But then again, who would be spinning a stock flywheel that high in the first place?

[Kenny_McCormic]

A.R.C. has tested a stock flywheel for Clone racing (their yellow clones they sell for racing), and have vertified it would not explode at 5500RPM. Stock rod has been known to do 6500-6700. A Genuine rod can do bursts of 7000. Proof everywhere. I read it up myself.

Also, the magnet on the Clone flywheel came off at 10,000+ RPM. But then again, who would be spinning a stock flywheel that high in the first place?

Didnt know the bit about the rod, although the flywheel can take quite a spin, from what I have read they blow from the coil dropping in the magnet gap.

[oscaryu1]

That isn't the case. If that's true, I would've blown mine at 7000RPM last time. They will come off their little stands, it has been proven. They're only held on my glue or such. But if you're paranoid about safety, by all means, go to AGK and buy a Genuine Honda GX200 coil.

[Kenny_McCormic]

Nah it would be loose bolts, if I were to run such a setup I would safety wire the coil with a spring.

[oscaryu1]

Nope. Believe it or not, the coil has dropped off before. Creates quite a mess! IIRC, half the magnet came off also.

It's not the bolts, its the coil, as it's pretty much held on by only expoxy (I thinks).

[Kenny_McCormic]

Good info.

[sayre315]

well if i were to mod a honda or a clone the first thing i would get would be a ARC flywheel just incase somthin happens

i mean, if i could choose 1 of those three things that can happen to not happen with spinning a stock engine that high
it would be the flywheel

[Kenny_McCormic]

They will take 12k before the magnet flys off, more than one person has tested and confirmed this.

[oscaryu1]

These days the Clone ARC Billet flywheels are only $100. If you can't afford a billet flywheel to save your life, don't remove the governor.


:)

[sayre315]

exactly wat i said :)

[JerryAssburger]

Try to "wait out" Harbor Freight on these engines... they usually put them on sale during a week or so each month. Get on their mailing list. For a BUDGET BEATER, keep a close eye out for old edgers, roto-tillers, or reel mowers with horizontal-shaft motors. I would recommend 3hp minimum, because although the stock B/S 2hp can propel a fat guy (ME) in a small kart (Treefrog) to just under 30mph, you'll want the starting acceleration of the 3hp. Big difference, as one has 33% more displacement.
If you DO have the money for the HarborFreight 6.5hp motor, you won't be disappointed, even running it box stock. Gear it to do 30mph @ 3600 rpm (calculator available in this forum/site) and it'll accelerate nicely. I have a kart geared for 38mph, and it's a bit sluggish off the line, but I'm fatter than most people here! With my daughter (100lbs) in it, the thing flies.

[JerryAssburger]

Here is short vid to show the B/S 2hp in action...
http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m290/jerryassburger/?action=view&current=CarlTreefrog2hp.flv
My friend weighs about 190lbs and this is on level ground.

[oscaryu1]

"Needs more motor" :D

[shurikanx1]

Try to "wait out" Harbor Freight on these engines... they usually put them on sale during a week or so each month. Get on their mailing list. For a BUDGET BEATER, keep a close eye out for old edgers, roto-tillers, or reel mowers with horizontal-shaft motors. I would recommend 3hp minimum, because although the stock B/S 2hp can propel a fat guy (ME) in a small kart (Treefrog) to just under 30mph, you'll want the starting acceleration of the 3hp. Big difference, as one has 33% more displacement.
If you DO have the money for the HarborFreight 6.5hp motor, you won't be disappointed, even running it box stock. Gear it to do 30mph @ 3600 rpm (calculator available in this forum/site) and it'll accelerate nicely. I have a kart geared for 38mph, and it's a bit sluggish off the line, but I'm fatter than most people here! With my daughter (100lbs) in it, the thing flies.

If I were to set it higher than 30MPH what should it be? Or should I even go any higher?

Also, I weigh close to 140 and my go kart will proably be around probably average of most I'm thinking, how fast would it go if I geared to 30mph @3600 rpm

[JerryAssburger]

This is from personal experience... with the 6.5 hp (stock) and the gearing at 38mph @ 3600 rpm, I was able to hit 48mph. (Holding the throttle butterfly open and over-riding the gov.) This gearing and kart is mainly for parking lots, streets, nothing too crazy hill-wise. If you intend to use yours the same way, and you're satisfied with the 38mph top speed go for the same gearing. If you want to do horsing-around... burn-outs, etc... I would shoot for gearing it to 30mph @ 3600 rpm, and then the modify the motor to rev higher and take the abuse.
I haven't had the extra money to build any of my HF 6.5hp motors, so they're all stock. The high-speed (48mph) was just a quick "let's see what it'll do" thing.

[shurikanx1]

Ok I'll stick with the 30mph @ 3600 rpm then since that sort of of I wanna do is just play around and stuff

Also just so I dont have to make another post, how much would the frame proably cost (just like the the size of most others I think) to buy all the metal. Already have a friend who can do the welding for me.

[JerryAssburger]

Metal is pretty stinking expensive lately. I get what I need at a local scrap-yard, and I'd guestimate about $50-$60 for the metal. I've been turning to use old bedframe rails (1 1/2" L shaped) which can be had for pretty cheap when you find 'em.

[shurikanx1]

Don't know any local scrap yards here but can probably find some, and could I use parts from some of my old bicycles?

[AutoMX]

most non-fancy bikes are standard steel which is perfect for welding though you gotta weigh if the bike is better off being sold or cut apart. contact the local junkyards and landfills. my local trash people allow oversized item pickup so i bet they get a bunch of metal stuff like bed frames, sofa frames, and a million other possible things. also check hardware stores for quality metal (none of that conduit junk).

[JerryAssburger]

The scrapyard I go to is actually a recycler, and I buy their remnants. If you search through the PhotoGallery Section, you'll find karts built from all sorts of things, and usually the builder will have detailed the process- at the very least, it'll help you develop your own ideas.