20 series vs 30 series, name brand vs offbrand

[JA1905]

Can someone tell me the difference in 20 series vs 30 series TC? Also buying a name brand units vs offbrand? I am rebuilding a carter go kart I found for very cheap. It currently has a Honda GX160 with what I can tell is a comet 20 series driver and driven unit. From what I understand the piece in the middle of the driver unit should slide in and out of the housing unit with ease, mine is not doing that I can not even get it to go all the way threw, it had what looks like grease all over it, I cleaned it up somewhat and it definetly does not slide easily. Would I be wasting my time buying a 20 dollar one from eBay or should I spend the money and get the more expensive unit? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Tpdingo]

Lets start off with the Comet 20 series you have:

There is no reason a Comet TAV should be replaced unless pieces are missing or beyond repair. If all your fighting is dirt and rust, it should clean up nice. Mine looked in a very similar condition to your...heck the bronze bushing wouldn't fit from all the dirt on it. Now it is back to silver and performs like new. Brake clean is your best friend and get the proper dry graphite lube for it.

Now the difference between the 20 and 30 series is that one is symmetrical and one isn't. The asymmetric belt on the 30 series allows for more ratios and I believe better shifting. The 30 series directly succeeds the 20 series and it is an upgrade but with a GX160 motor...I doubt you'll notice much difference. If you can get the original working with some good ol' elbow grease...of which you will need quite a bit...it would be much cheaper and better to just refurb what your kart was designed for.

 

[itsid]

first:
mfgsupply.com sells spare parts for your series 20 unit..
so in case something's broken/worn and needs to be replaced..
you know where to look

the sliding hub can get a bit chewed up, remove it from the moveable sheave,
remove all burrs (from it and the moveable sheave it sits in) and try again.

Well, the series 30 is NOT a successor of the series 20
Comet made both at the same time as successors to the TC88 [sym] and cat99 [asym] series
which are merely identical apart from the narrower belt.

symmetric systems generally have less wear on the belt and thus a slightly higher efficiency..
the series 30 has the benefit of easier self containment (using a backplate) and the aforementioned overdrive capability with the smaller driven unit.

One is not better than the other, they're just different...

According to Jim Donovan only the symmetric ones are made for go karts really, the series 30 is only meant for mini bikes.
IDK if I can agree with that entirely...
I (as most) like the overdrive idea and the ease using the backplate on karts that previously just had a clutch and not to forget the cheap chinese ebay clones that are almost as cheap as cent clutch.
And if one's willing to pay for that with belt wear... IMHO that's still a valid option.

What I think is true is that the series 20 was MEANT for karts and the series 30 was MEANT for mini bikes

frankly.. if you don't run a much higher power engine, stick with the series 20!
if you upgrade your engine (not mod, replace!) you should upgrade to a series 40 tc.

the series 30 is easily available but just a PITA to mount properly on your kart,
and the gain might not be worth it.

'sid

 

[JA1905]

Thanks for sharing the link, driver cleaned up pretty good with brake cleaner. Definitely needs new springs