Looking to make an inexpensive road kart; questions

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Jr. Mechanic

Jr. Mechanic

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Hey guys, its my first time making a post on this forum, and I have been meaning to for a long time. There is so much I have learned from you guys already. Its awesome.

Anyways...
I love tinkering with go karts, and i managed to scrounge up some parts that I feel could make a pretty sweet go kart. I have an (I think) 8 hp briggs with a 1 inch shaft, a belt centrifugal (for a 1 inch shaft), some 1 inch pillow blocks, and a belt pulley/ sprocket that will fit on the axle perfectly. I also have some angle iron at my disposal.

I just have a few questions.

1. Should I start from scratch and make my own frame, or should I try to find a pre-built frame and go from there?

2. Will a v-belt hold up against 8 hp? I would like to gear it more towards speed, not torque, but I dont want it burning up when im accelerating.

3. Is it worth it buying go kart slicks? Im sure I could find tires lying around that would work, but is it worth the extra 100 bucks to drift amazingly on grass and stick to pavement like nothing else? I know if I choose the latter option I could probably find hubs and everything to match...

Im in no rush, and im only in the brainstorming stage. It would be suhWEET if somebody could post a blueprint of a fairly simple racing kart or just a road kart; one that wouldnt be impossible to make.

Im not afraid to take on a challenge (but I dont have unlimited materials).

Thanks for taking your time to read my post.
 
bob58o

bob58o

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1.) Pre-built frame.
2.)Yes (look up Comet 40 Series Torque Converters)
Belts slip at high RPMs, but should be good under 5400 RPM or so.
3.)I don't know if worth the C-Note, but Slicks would be cool.

You're welcome for the blueprints.
The snake part is the trickiest. It's so bendy.:cheers2:
 

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OzFab

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Jr. Mechanic said:
1. Should I start from scratch and make my own frame, or should I try to find a pre-built frame and go from there?
Click to expand...

If you've never done it before &/or have limited fab experience, start with a prebuilt...

Jr. Mechanic said:
2. Will a v-belt hold up against 8 hp? I would like to gear it more towards speed, not torque, but I dont want it burning up when im accelerating.
Click to expand...

Not for long; if you use high gearing, while you're accelerating, the belt will be slipping, which means it will be wearing out prematurely...

Jr. Mechanic said:
3. Is it worth it buying go kart slicks? Im sure I could find tires lying around that would work, but is it worth the extra 100 bucks to drift amazingly on grass and stick to pavement like nothing else? I know if I choose the latter option I could probably find hubs and everything to match...
Click to expand...

That depends on you; if you want the kart to

Jr. Mechanic said:
drift amazingly on grass and stick to pavement like nothing else...
Click to expand...

then get slicks; if you want it to chew up your yard & get a little loose on pavement, use treaded tyres...
 
Hellion

Hellion

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Jr. Mechanic said:
Yeah I always have trouble getting home every day...
:p
Click to expand...

Do you get lost a lot or what?


 
pRoFiT

pRoFiT

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Search craigslist! find a used kart frame if you have to. Dont build one yourself. Dont be like me! i should of picked up a frame. would be done by now! Learn from my mistakes. Dont buy HF tires!!! get a Torque converter!! 8HP enginer....comet 40 series? (i dont know much about the TC. i have a 30 series. but you have a 8hp so maybe the bigger one is better listen to everyone else) Dont worry about what poboy says. Dont listen to freerunner. itsid, chancer and everyone on this thread and forum know what they are talking about for the most part :)

A lot goes into a go kart. Just better to pick up a frame. unless your crazy like me.

post some pics of your junk pile! at least show us what we are working with ;)
 
Poboy kartman

Poboy kartman

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Well 8hp is listed as max for the 30 series...but IIRC people have pushed more hp through them.

The 30 series is cheaper and requires less parts and fabrication, so IMO...It's the way to go.

Even though this is DIY..we usually encourage people to try to get a used kart as a platform...especially if they aren't familiar with karts for the first go round.

And to be honest...unless you are building something out of the ordinary...it doesn't make sense financially either...pretty easy to spend well over $300 just on parts. Much cheaper usually to buy a complete kart and just replace what needs to be replaced.
 
Jr. Mechanic

Jr. Mechanic

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I totally agree with you guys when you say "get a torque converter". They are simply unmatched when it comes to top speed and acceleration compared to a centrifugal. Trust me, If I had the money, I would buy one in an instant.
However, (sadly) I dont have a torque converter. I just have a clutch, and I was hoping it would work; at least for a little while. It is somewhat like
http://www.smartkartparts.com/Max-T..._Clutch_with_3_4_inch_Bore_FREE_Shipping.html
This clutch, except with a 1 inch bore.
this brings me to my question. Im sorry if someone has already answered this, but would this clutch work? Or would it just burn up belts?
 
Poboy kartman

Poboy kartman

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WAY WAY too extreme...even with small tires it won't move and burn up the clutch.

You DO understand I was asking for the pulley size...not the clutch bell. 4" ? That would make the pulley as big as the clutch.
 
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