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pheonixxx1987

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Hello everyone im new here and looking for advice. The build im looking at was born out of competition (friendly). My buddy has a few toro workhourses (small tractor/overgrown mower) four Wheeler tires on them. I was going to buy my self one but ive always loved karts. A family member had an old 2 seater i got for free. Missing 3 tires but after some carb work ( not using the motor 5hp techsomething) it runs. Taking it to work friday to cut,stretch the frame(im 6ft4) i got a 25hp kholer v-twin i picked up. Im wanting to make something that can run 45mph and pull like a tractor . I know cars well. My 86 mustang is nasty . But other than working on small engines i know little about this. Im guessing use a gearbox but not even sure if they make them for a.go kart. Also batting around ths idea of suspension but no idea where to start .any ideas, advice would be greatly appreciated

Edit...after reading thru the forums some the motor on it was a 6.0 predator
 

mspaceman21

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sideshaft or vertical shaft?
suspension is a pain but can be nice. there are a few suspension builds on here, if your going to incorporate it, i would do it while your stretching the frame so as to get all of your metalwork done up front.
 

Doc Sprocket

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Good plan. You don't want to get overwhelmed.

Now- transmission options-

You could shop for a Comet 40 CVT. While they are rated to 18hp (IIRC) people have pushed them well past that without issue, however- If you are going to do this, get a Genuine Comet 40. No telling what a cheap chinese knockoff will do under those conditions.

I don't think even a good (race quality) centrifugal clutch will satisfactorily perform to your expectations.

You could also try something a little freakier- your engine, centrifugal clutch, RAGB*, Rape-prepped Mower Tranny.

*Mower trannies are typically designed to run off a vertical shaft engine. You will need a device such as a Right Angle Gear Box to change from horizontal to vertical to make proper use of the gear box.
 

pheonixxx1987

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RAGB*, Race-prepped Mower Tranny.....?lost me. I know cars lol. Was thinking about putting the extra 302 ho and t-5 tranny on it with a chopped 9in rear..seeing as my brother does steel fab for a living custom parts dirt cheap :-D. But then my wife informed me she doesn't wish to collect on my life insurance policy yet lol. Thats how i ended up buying the kholer. Buddy had it only like 10 hrs on it. Was used as a back up.150$ friend price. Also picked up a rear end/gearbox out of an old toro for free. But its belt driven and way narrow . That comet 40, what exactly is it and how many gears? Also im looking to put vampire mud tires on the back. Probably large mower tires on the front .
 

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The Comet 40 is a CVT-Continuously variable transmission. It acts as a clutch, and engages at a low ratio. It senses speed and load, and seamlessly "shifts" up to a 1:1 final ratio. Google CVT for far greater detail.

Mower tranny- literally a transmission from a lawn tractor- a transmission, not a transaxle. Search Peerless 700 for a prime example. From there, you'd use a go kart rear axle.

An RAGB is simply, a single speed gear box that does nothing more than output 90 degrees from it's input.
 

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Then it would seem you have two (reasonably) possible choices- the mower tranny, or get rid of the industrial engine in favour of an ATV engine and tranny (hands down, the best choice).
 

pheonixxx1987

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Never seen that done...what would be easier, to buy a motor and tranny or to buy the 400 4x4 artic cat the same guy i bought the kholer from would sell me? Its wreaked bad. Slammed into a tree. Motor still runs great tho. Did bust an axle in the rear end and Its shaft driven not chain. But i could have the whole thing to work with.
 

pheonixxx1987

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[/IMG] got it tore apart and i have started modifications. Finally found my welder so next weekend i can really get something done
 

pheonixxx1987

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Ill build one from scratch the next time around. Due to limited time (i work fro. 4pm- 7am 5-7 days a week plus married with a 3 yr old lil boy and found out yesterday my wife is pregnant ) . Im doing good to get this far this fast as it is lol id like something to play on this yr.
 

pheonixxx1987

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Another question....i use to have a helix 150 buggy. After a rollover shattered my left arm and spun it around three times when it caught in the cage, then 2 days later a buddy rolled it crushing his wrist because of the cage...im kinda leaning towards no cage. Rather get tossed and deal with grass burn that sitting up, and spinning my arm around until my tattoo/skin looks right again. Any advice ? Or maybe a different cage style?
 

landuse

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Another question....i use to have a helix 150 buggy. After a rollover shattered my left arm and spun it around three times when it caught in the cage, then 2 days later a buddy rolled it crushing his wrist because of the cage...im kinda leaning towards no cage. Rather get tossed and deal with grass burn that sitting up, and spinning my arm around until my tattoo/skin looks right again. Any advice ? Or maybe a different cage style?

With a lot of these roll cages, you also need to use arm restraints so that your arms do not get flung out the cage and get crushed like yours did. You can also use netting between the roll cage members so that your arms cannot get out. Also make sure that you have a working safety belt or 4 point harness to keep you in. If you have a cage, you need a seat belt. If no cage then no seat belt.
 

pheonixxx1987

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Thanks . Im waiting for a few parts and some free time now. Guy i work with is willing to give me a 1600 street bike motor he has just to see if im willing to put it on a frame that will have 0 suspension :-D not going to but be a cool idea if i ever decided to get my pilots license lol. Also not willing to build a kart that could possibly outrun my mustang . For there to be no kind of kart racing or anything close to it here there sure a lot of people taking interest in my new hobby
 
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