2016 - Predator Drifter

[ghosted]

Hello everyone! This is my first build off and technically first build of any type of motorized vehicle.

My whole goal was to build a go kart that could break traction on the road with slicks from take off. I basically wanted to be able to do rolling burnouts everywhere I went.

After much research and consulting, I have realized that this may not be achievable with a "200cc class" kart. I really want to stick with the Predator 212cc as the upgrades are readily available and moderately inexpensive.

After research and talking with Gary over at Go Power Sports, I've decided to continue the Predator build to maximize horse power output and torque and just see what happens. Gary told me about adding PVC strips to the tires for drifting, so I think I'm going to go that route.

I'm also going to video document the whole build from start to finish on my youtube channel.

I picked my cart up for about $25 dollars on an app called "Letgo", it was a "roller" as the engine was not in operation. After destroying everything using a loaner engine, my buddy and I felt like a good friendly competition to see who can build the fastest go kart while remaining in the "200cc class." So this is my build. A lot of parts are ordered; however, they have not arrived so they are not featured in my picture pile.

My main sources of parts are:
GoPowerSports.com - Luckily these guys are 30 minutes from my house. No shipping costs
Amazon.com - for odds and ends, tachometer and what nots
NRRacing.com - The only thing I have bought there was the Mikuni 22mm adapter.
ArcRacing.com - everything billet. Yea.
SmallEngineCams.com - More engine mods

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Arrived:
Live Axle 1"
New rear wheels
Live Axle bearing kit
Mikuni 22mm Carb
10 feet of #41 Chain

In Route:
New spring spindles
Trail Tech TTO Digital Tach
Mikuni Carb intak adapter

Picking up/Ordering Next Week:
Predator 212 Engine Harbor Frieght
ARC Billet Fly Wheel 32deg +8
ARC Billet Rod (waiting to get piston measurements)
Black Mamba Jr Cam
Torque Converter
Tie Rods/Ends
60 tooth Sprocket
Mechanical Disk Brake
4 more lock collars
UNI Air Filter
Exhaust
22-26? Lbs springs

I know I'm probably missing something, but I'll update as I go.

 

[landuse]

Awesome. I am glad you signed up for the build off. Happy building!!!!

 

[ghosted]

This is the picture of the kart when I picked it up for 25$ I sanded it down and painted it orange/blue.

I have a good deal on powder coating jobs and was thinking about getting it powder coated; however, I'm torn between a hello kitty and a barney the dinosaur theme paint job.

Plan on doing some hooning on the thing once it's done. Plus I want my buddy to have to say he got smoked by a "hello kitty" go kart.

Not sure what the Kicker sticker was all about, I suppose he was planning on adding a sub to it?

 

[chancer]

My little Pony!
Welcome to the Build off!

 

[ghosted]

My little Pony!
Welcome to the Build off!

My little pony! nice! Now I'll never decide. Maybe I'll make a poll.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Maybe it's a FR cast off. Welcome!

 

[ghosted]

Maybe it's a FR cast off. Welcome!

FR cast off?

 

[ghosted]

Question regarding the Predator 212cc Engine.
I am trying to squeeze everything I possibly can out of this engine in that regards, is there anything I am overlooking with these mods? Maybe something I am missing. This is my first engine mod so I have just done my own individual research and feel like there may be more weak links in the engine.

Remove Governor
Billet Fly Wheel
Billet Rod
Black Mamba Jr Cam
Springs
22mm Mikuni Carb
Hi-flow air filter

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[chancer]

BOB!!!! We got a bleeder!

Hold on Bob will be right with you.

 

[ghosted]

Mail time and Updates

A few small things I received in the mail.

NR Racing sent over my 22mm Mikuni adapter and it fits. Hooray.

I also received my new front spindles. I had planned on cutting some height off of the spindle mount to put some heavy springs that would give me some front "suspension" (trying to limit tire scrub) but these have a support bracket welded on them. I may still cut, I'll just have to figure out how to keep the support bracket intact. Maybe I can just notch it.

Update Numero uno. I cut the rear frame off and flipped it around to re-use as a support between the front half of the frame and the new rear. I cut the old axle out as it was a 3/4th and 1" was a better route for me as parts are readily available. I did not get a good picture but I have it semi-mocked up. I still need to weld the old rear axle enclosure to the frame and then I have roughly 9 inches of frame tube to play with. I plan on cutting the 9 inches right at 4.5 inches and welding in-line the new live axle brackets and finishing off with some new 1" tube for the rear bumper.

 

[ghosted]

So, I've decided against drifting(some what). I can add PVC to my tires and drift whenever. I think I'm going to go with the fastest predator build. I've only been able to find threads where people have pushed the predator 212cc to 62mph*, I want to go faster.

That being said, I am going to do slight modifications to the build, different cam, probably going to go with the #31 chain setup and different gear ratio and reduce the overall weight of my kart.

Going to do some more research to see if there are any preds breaking 62*mph.

Should have my stock predator Friday an installed Saturday for some control runs (granted I get the frame welded back up tomorrow). Will update as I break things.

 

[ghosted]

Picked up a few things and placed the order for the ARC Racing parts. Should be here by the 19th. Going tear into the engine on the 21st after I get some bench mark tests (and figure out how to weld my frame back together .

Picked up the Predator Hemi on Friday.
Went to GPS after work and picked up some things.
59.99 for a mechanical brake setup?

I just saw a hydraulic brake setup on Amazon for $41.00. Should have went that route. I most likely still will. I want to make sure I can get this kart going before I dump any more money into it.

GPS has good deals on rims and bearings, but everything else seems grossly overpriced. 159.99 for a Predator Hemi when you can pick them up at HF for $99?? ****.

On a side note, ARC was on point. Excited to see how this turns out.

Go Kart = $25.00 (Offer Up App)
GPS = $100.00 (6" rear wheels x2, 48" length 1" dia live axle, 2 lock collars)
Harbor Freight = $99.00 (Predator 212cc Hemi)
GPS(Round Two) = $189.00 (6" front wheels x2, 2 slicks, 4x 5/8 bears, 4x 1" I.D. lock collars, mechanical brake setup, steering wheel, steering wheel weld bracket)
Amazon = $142.80 (Tire Spoons, lapping compound, UNI air filter, spindles, live axle kit, Mikuni carb)
NR Racing = $46.94 (Intake adapter)
ARC = $517.28 (See photo)
-------------------------
Total = $1120.02

(not including misc **** I used to paint the thing originally)

Getting pretty deep here.

I still need tie rods and suspension work to hit 70mph+ and full race leathers. (Trying to get some motorcycle track days in too, so I need this anyway.)

 

[ghosted]

Sorry the ARC parts picture didn't post. PNGs not allowed, here it is.

** Also ordered valve grinding compound and tire spoons off Amazon because one piece steel tires a a PITA

 

[ghosted]

Curious, this is probably a stupid question (which do exist by the way), can you balance steel one piece wheels? I would assume so. Everyone keeps recommending balanced racing wheels for the speeds I am trying to achieve, but can't any wheel be balanced?

The only thing I can think of as far as benefits of the racing wheels would be to shed some weight. Which I will most likely end up doing if I do not hit my goals. I really want to keep this on a yard kart. Everyone I speak to recommends putting this engine on a kart that was "designed for speed". The wheel base and axle length of a shifter kart is really not too much different than my kart.

 

[bob58o]

Don't know about wheels.
I see you didn't get the Black Mamba Jr,
You got the 275F instead.

That cam asks for 32lb springs, right? Any reason you got the 26 lbers?

 

[ghosted]

Don't know about wheels.
I see you didn't get the Black Mamba Jr,
You got the 275F instead.

That cam asks for 32lb springs, right? Any reason you got the 26 lbers?

I couldn't get a hold of anyone at small engine cams. I spoke with Jody over at ARC and he said the 275F needed 26lbs. I didn't know they called for the 32lbs. I'll have to double check that.

 

[ghosted]

Spoke with Hunter at ARC (Jody is out all week), he said the 32lbs springs on the Hemi head would not have enough travel and most likely cause valve binding. He said if I'm not getting enough force, I can always shim the 26lbs.

Curious if anyone has any experience with this cam and spring setup.

 

[ghosted]

Parts from ARC came in!

 

[ghosted]

Spindle/rim clearance... could be an issue.

 

[chancer]

Is there enough extra threads? you can put a spacer between the spindle and wheel.