Initial product review of $59 eBay Chinese TAV2

[anickode]

I don't know if anyone has actually done a comprehensive review of one of these things yet, and the mailman just dropped one off on my porch today, so I figure why not?


priceIt's $59 and free shipping. Seems too good to pass up. Heck, that's what they charge for a no-name centrifugal clutch at Tractor supply.

unboxing The tav2 came in a plain cardboard box. Individual components were in plastic bags in the box, with little other packing material. The driver was in a bag in a box in the box.

Initial impressions... It's not a Comet by any stretch of the imagination. Some of the big things that stick out are as follows;

Casting quality isn't great. There's considerable shrink tearing in many places on the casting. They look like cracks, but are generally limited to surface imperfections. This is not uncommon in low quality die castings.

Finish grinding was hastily and poorly done. There are places where the grinding medium was definitely bumped into or dragged across. Grinding of the casting flash is excessive in some places and completely neglected in other places. I will be cleaning it up further with a dynafile and some roloc discs.

Countersinking of holes is inconsistent and looks like it was done with a really worn out countersink or cutter.

Sprues (where the aluminum is injected) appear to have been knocked off with a hammer instead of cut and ground.

Holes for the cover are not very precise. The cover will fit, but one of the holes is so far off center the threads actually cut through the surface of the casting.

The aluminum casting has a lot of dings and scratches like it was dumped from one big bin into another, and another, and another. They definitely do that take much care handling them during manufacturing.

The driven unit has about 30 thousandths of radial runout on the rim of the stationary face. Not enough to be a problem, but it will cause some vibration.

The cover is immaculate. Nice thick injection molded polypropylene. Only problem is there is nowhere for the chain to come out. The cover appears to be designed for a standalone jackshaft 30 series. Either that, or you're just supposed to cut it. But there are no assembly instructions or information included to tell you that.

The driver looks a-ok.

Belt has a funny smell to it, which I noticed immediately upon opening the box. A lot of cheap rubber products seem to.

All in all, it's about what I expected for a $59 torque converter. It's not nearly as good of a Comet clone as a Predator is a Honda clone, but it will work, and for the price, it's hard to beat.

I will probably do a video review of this during and after installation and testing.

If there are any questions, feel free to ask.

Edit:. On a side note, the mounting and crankshaft bolts that these come with are likely to NOT all fit your engine. Plan on supplying your own hardware so you don't ruin your crank cover. This particular unit is going on an Intek 190, so the mounting bolts and crankshaft bolt will all be 5/16-24 UNF.

 

[mckutzy]

Those are ejector pin marks.... Some pretty good pressure to poke and push that off the face of the mold... no wonder the marks...

 

[anickode]

Those are ejector pin marks.... Some pretty good pressure to poke and push that off the face of the mold... no wonder the marks...

Seems as though they may be ejecting them a bit prematurely for the tearing to show around the pins? The pin marks are deeper than you typically see as well. Could be they're punching these things out the instant the cool below hot-short.

 

[Kartorbust]

I wonder how GTC stacks up? I find it funny and disappointing that these companies will only make 30 series. No one seems to make a 40/44, 780, 94c, etc clones. They are missing a big part of the market. Eventually the still new in box 40 and 780 series will be gone and outside of the used market, nothing will be left.

 

[bob58o]

I find it funny and disappointing that these companies will only make 30 series. No one seems to make a 40/44, 780, 94c, etc clones.

I own a 40 series knock off as do about a dozen other on here???
https://www.ebay.com/i/332097148136?chn=ps&dispItem=1

 

[anickode]

I own a 40 series knock off as do about a dozen other on here???
https://www.ebay.com/i/332097148136?chn=ps&dispItem=1

They're all over ebay... They're just not $60. But they're bigger, so they wouldn't be.

 

[sunday_money]

I own a 40 series knock off as do about a dozen other on here???
https://www.ebay.com/i/332097148136?chn=ps&dispItem=1

What are your experiences with it?

 

[bob58o]

What are your experiences with it?

Not very much time on it. Once installed the correct direction... Spring inboard... It seems to do alright so far.

 

[Hellion]

...I find it funny and disappointing that these companies will only make 30 series. No one seems to make a 40/44, 780, 94c, etc clones. They are missing a big part of the market...

I own a 40 series knock off as do about a dozen other on here???

Wham! Bob kinda shut you down there, Kartorbust.

I wouldn't take that sitting down--not from Bob.

I think you better rough him up some for making you look stupid on a public forum.

 

[Kartorbust]

Wham! Bob kinda shut you down there, Kartorbust.

I wouldn't take that sitting down--not from Bob.

I think you better rough him up some for making you look stupid on a public forum.

He didn't make me look stupid, I did forget about the 40 series clones since all I see is 30s.

 

[bob58o]

I wouldn't take that sitting down--not from Bob.

I think you better rough him up some for making you look stupid on a public forum.

If going to give out advice like that you should warn people I've watched two of Master Martial Artist Billy Blanks' Tae-Bo videos and have seen almost every episode of Walker Texas Ranger.

 

[shadowfocus603]

Does that linked 40 series clone come with the backing plate? It doesn't show it in any of the pics. I will be in the market for a 40 come spring and that would fit my budget quite nicely if it comes as a complete unit.

 

[Joe-405]

I have the 30 series knockoff like yours for about 3 years now and still has the original belt on it. So I think they are great to be honest. It was the one from barstool racer buildoff thread. Still ride it. Still wheelies and still does 50+mph no problems whatsoever.

 

[Hellion]

I have the 30 series knockoff...Still ride it. Still wheelies and still does 50+mph no problems whatsoever.

50+ MPH

Holy crap! This I need to see.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

You are special.

 

[KingCobra]

I don't know if anyone has actually done a comprehensive review of one of these things yet, and the mailman just dropped one off on my porch today, so I figure why not?


priceIt's $59 and free shipping. Seems too good to pass up. Heck, that's what they charge for a no-name centrifugal clutch at Tractor supply.

unboxing The tav2 came in a plain cardboard box. Individual components were in plastic bags in the box, with little other packing material. The driver was in a bag in a box in the box.

Initial impressions... It's not a Comet by any stretch of the imagination. Some of the big things that stick out are as follows;

Casting quality isn't great. There's considerable shrink tearing in many places on the casting. They look like cracks, but are generally limited to surface imperfections. This is not uncommon in low quality die castings.

Finish grinding was hastily and poorly done. There are places where the grinding medium was definitely bumped into or dragged across. Grinding of the casting flash is excessive in some places and completely neglected in other places. I will be cleaning it up further with a dynafile and some roloc discs.

Countersinking of holes is inconsistent and looks like it was done with a really worn out countersink or cutter.

Sprues (where the aluminum is injected) appear to have been knocked off with a hammer instead of cut and ground.

Holes for the cover are not very precise. The cover will fit, but one of the holes is so far off center the threads actually cut through the surface of the casting.

The aluminum casting has a lot of dings and scratches like it was dumped from one big bin into another, and another, and another. They definitely do that take much care handling them during manufacturing.

The driven unit has about 30 thousandths of radial runout on the rim of the stationary face. Not enough to be a problem, but it will cause some vibration.

The cover is immaculate. Nice thick injection molded polypropylene. Only problem is there is nowhere for the chain to come out. The cover appears to be designed for a standalone jackshaft 30 series. Either that, or you're just supposed to cut it. But there are no assembly instructions or information included to tell you that.

The driver looks a-ok.

Belt has a funny smell to it, which I noticed immediately upon opening the box. A lot of cheap rubber products seem to.

All in all, it's about what I expected for a $59 torque converter. It's not nearly as good of a Comet clone as a Predator is a Honda clone, but it will work, and for the price, it's hard to beat.

I will probably do a video review of this during and after installation and testing.

If there are any questions, feel free to ask.

Edit:. On a side note, the mounting and crankshaft bolts that these come with are likely to NOT all fit your engine. Plan on supplying your own hardware so you don't ruin your crank cover. This particular unit is going on an Intek 190, so the mounting bolts and crankshaft bolt will all be 5/16-24 UNF.

I have seen these on sleazbay and wondered myself of what quality they are. I've watched YouTube vids of the installations and yes, you have to cut out the area where your chain will exit. Some straight back and some downward but that's all good. I'm yet to see a bad review or a you tube vid converter failure. I DO NOT count abuse of a torque-a-verter in reviews. Intentional abuse is just stupid unless only for factory testing and believe me, I've been through factories and I've seen things being tested!! It might be worth paying the extra $$ for a quality belt, but, that would be a good testing belt. I would like to know a lifespan test of the $59 product. Keep in touch here every so often. I might order a case of them just to have them around the shop. BUT, that rubber smell? I order a lot of tires to test and I kinda like that rubber smell...... MMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmm, the smell of fresh rubber in the morning to go with my coffee...... ...... Can't wait till you report back on an actual test run!! Luckily I have a real TAV 2 Comet for my chopper resto/build. Nothing but the best for my rides...... Well, most of them anyway...... NOW, I wonder the quality of the TAV 2 that comes with the Baja 200MB. I had one and it ran great though! Just had to oil the chain. IMO the quality needs to be in the springs, sliders and the belt. I'm just glad that that aluminum is thick! I predict success!! I hope the best for your test. I also just ordered 10 new Preds 212cc at $137 each including shipping. I tested one and it was perfect and my current go kart with the 25" tires has no problem romping with the Pred 212cc!!!!!! BUT REMEMBER>> Break-in is very important! Maybe even for a $59 torque-a-verter!

 

[Nosammich]

What is a paragraph?

A paragraph is a collection of related sentences dealing with a single topic. Learning to write good paragraphs will help you as a writer stay on track during your drafting and revision stages.

Good paragraphing also greatly assists your readers in following a piece of writing. You can have fantastic ideas, but if those ideas aren't presented in an organized fashion, you will lose your readers (and fail to achieve your goals in writing).

 

[bob58o]

Good paragraphing also greatly assists your readers in following a piece of writing. You can have fantastic ideas, but if those ideas aren't presented in an organized fashion, you will lose your readers (and fail to achieve your goals in writing).

You don't like Pink Floyd?
Have you even listened to the Dark Side of the Wall?

 

[Joe-405]

50+ MPH

Holy crap! This I need to see.

I actually posted the gps screenshot in the thread sir. It was sketchy on the little shifter kart tires from the first design. The new design is completely stable and is actually safe. I’m impressed with the skinny fronts and 15x6x6 turf rear tires.

 

[Kansaskart]

Mine works good. Pulls my 250lbs and my light kart close to 40mph. I have a few comets but they all need work so I cant do a comparison.

I have to admit im getting spoiled with the big blocks so im not sure if ill be using too many more of these lol. My 40 series knockoff is doing ok so far, I also had mine mounted backwards as Bob pointed out.

Too many projects, but I do want to add a small racing mower to my lineup. Much like Fearlessfront on youtube. Probably have to be a 212 on that lol. Not sure on a clutch or torque converter, it would be strictly road crusing. We have big hills but the machine is so light I might try a clutch just for kicks. When I was younger I had a sears kart that I put a 8hp briggs on with a heavy clutch it had no problems on the roads with hills.