Which engine should i use?

[cartbum224]

I am building/buying a go kart racing frame. I am planning on using racing slicks for tires, and caliper brakes. I am just wondering what engine i should use. I'm only going to be using it around my street, so nothing fancy. I was looking into a b&s animal, but then it was calculated to go 98mph. I also read that a 5hp b&s flathead is the way to go, but i want to have something with a little higher rpm. i am shooting for around 50 mph, so if you have a suggestion, i'd appreciate it!

 

[Jerryburger]

COOL! A KibbleKart! They are so much fun. If you're willing to read a few threads and jump a couple of technical hurdles, I'd say Russ' LawnBoy idea would work well for you. With the smaller motor he had to have been close to 50 mph....
He also located a B/S snowblower engine that can purchased on-line that drove his kart pretty well, too.
Good luck on your project! It looks great.

 

[Magice]

How much are you willing to spend on the motor.. in money and in time?

a 5hp flatty will do you about 65 km/h (without a governor and with stock springs)

A stock Animal is going to run you $600 correct me if I'm wrong.
The only reason people sink that much into a single geared utility engine is competion classes. If you're not racing, invest in a bike engine and do a shifter project (if you're up for it)

 

[cartbum224]

Im probably going to spend somewhere around $200-300 for a new engine. i found a techumseh 6hp engine. it was labeled as a go kart engine. Its about 180 without shipping. think thats a good engine to start with? I have heard some bad things about techumseh, but it looks like a good deal.

 

[Russ2251]

Tecumseh's are great engines. Only time I've witnessed problems with them was when incorrect oil was used.
A stock Tecumseh has a slight edge on Briggs in the horse power per pound department.
They, on average, are slightly less expensive than a Briggs equivalent.

 

[cartbum224]

Thanks alot russ!

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Go down to harbor freight and get one of those $100 6.4hp engines, put a billet flywheel on it ($100) and remove the governor. That will get you to 55, there is a 30 minute youtube video on race prepping these motors.

 

[oscaryu1]

Go down to harbor freight and get one of those $100 6.4hp engines, put a billet flywheel on it ($100) and remove the governor. That will get you to 55, there is a 30 minute youtube video on race prepping these motors.

...made by A.R.C. which is also located on their blogspot.

What's the use of a billet flywheel? You're already limited by the springs to about 5500-5900.

 

[cartbum224]

that sounds like alot of work for my first go kart. I used the speed calculator on this website and it said i would only go 32 mph. I am going to use 12 teeth on the clutch, 54 on the axle, and a 11 or 13" rear tire diameter. is there a way to get the kart faster?

 

[Magice]

It might be faster than you expect it to be.

32mph on a kart is a whole lot different than other things.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

...made by A.R.C. which is also located on their blogspot.

What's the use of a billet flywheel? You're already limited by the springs to about 5500-5900.

Im sorry, I just hate Chinese flywheels.

 

[modelengineer]

32mph will be fine. My first did 25mph. Without brakes and so low to the ground it is hell scary.

 

[kibble]

32mph will be fine. My first did 25mph. Without brakes and so low to the ground it is hell scary.

It might be faster than you expect it to be.

32mph on a kart is a whole lot different than other things.

The lower you are, the faster and scarier it feels.

 

[Magice]

Hey I do 65 km/h with no brakes

It surprisingly stops real fast turning left and right.

 

[modelengineer]

It surprisingly stops real fast turning left and right

HAHA, I found out the exact same thing!

Then both back tyres simultaneously (or as near as) exploded (read: popped)

 

[cartbum224]

so 32 is fine? Its only about 1-2inches off the ground.

 

[Magice]

IMO just put a briggs 5hp on it, or a $100 clone if you're willing to spend a little more. I'm sure with the governer removed it will be plenty fast. If not, you didn't waste too much money, and can easily upgrade.

 

[sayre315]

if i were you just throw together a briggs racing engine
just get on ebay
get a good cam, ARC rod if you can (if not just get a little raptor rod), steanless valves, heavier springs, aluminum flywheel, a nice crank if you want and do some porting and maybe even get a milled head

 

[modelengineer]

so nothing fancy

if i were you just throw together a briggs racing engine
just get on ebay
get a good cam, ARC rod if you can (if not just get a little raptor rod), steanless valves, heavier springs, aluminum flywheel, a nice crank if you want and do some porting and maybe even get a milled head

... That is a hell of a lot of stuff to get what, 10hp max?

 

[jr dragster T]

... That is a hell of a lot of stuff to get what, 10hp max?

Uhh no...You can make a fire-breathing monster making up to 30 HP from a briggs block.