6hp Vector to 11hp

[scottisha69]

Mentioned in my "introduce yourself thread" that I was going to upgrade the engine in my 6hp Vector.
I had sourced out a 9hp Subaru Robin EX27, new, for $400.00, but after reading a few other threads and watching some Youtube vids, I decided to take my chances on an 11hp Honda Clone, from good ole Harbor Freight. Engine was 299.00 + 40.00 for a
"no questions asked, 3 yr return policy"

The Vector is an American Sportworks go kart they have discontinued. Here's the specs http://www.amsportworks.com/gokarts.php?id=vector

I bought it over a year ago and have driven the heck out of it. For what it is, it's been a pretty great kart. Just under powered with my weight in it. When the neighbor's kids jump in it, it's a perfect balance of power and speed. I've had one neighbor roll this kart on it's side and no one was hurt. I had to clear the oil out of the engine combustion chamber to get it running again, but that was pretty straight forward.

So, I brought the Clone engine home, pulled off the gas tank, air box, and starter. (even with all of those items off, it's a tight fit)..
I also picked up a piece of 1/4 inch steel to use as the mounting surface for the clone, since it's the clone's bolt pattern is probably 70% larger than the 6hp stock engine.

I also ordered a 1' bore Comet driver clutch and hope that I can use my existing "driven" clutch to keep things simple. I'm assuming I can, since they are the same style (30 series) clutches.
If I have an issue with too much power, I'll order the 40 series driver/driven once they become available again.

Here's some pictures...Obviously, nothing compared to some of the crazy, from scratch projects most of you guys are doing.

Going to remove that stock mounting section and take it over to a friend's house so that we can arc weld the new steel plate to it. Once that's done, I'll line up the new engine, with driver clutch, and then drill the holes.

So far, everything has been pretty straight forward. I do need a longer throttle cable, but like everything else so far, that's an easy fix.

I'll update this thread as I make progress and then upload some videos after she's up and running.

I'm also trying to track down a used Doodle Bug mini bike so I can swap this 6hp Robin engine over to it. I also have an extra 30 series torque converter set up, from another go kart, for it as well. Just having a hard time tracking one down.

Scott

 

[anderkart]

Looking good man

Only tips I've got is just make sure your new motor mount maintains the proper distance between your driver and driven for the belt you'll be using.

And If your 30-series converter wont handle the additional power you could help it out with some lower gearing.

 

[scottisha69]

I was kind of planning on having to order a new belt, specific to the new distance/set-up. I'm working with very limited wiggle room and figured I should be more concerned about the engine clearing everything throughout the range of travel in the rear suspension and then order a belt, using the distance from shaft to shaft, that best matches. I may get lucky though and find I'm able to use the existing belt.

One of my snowmobile friends out in Colorado said that they check temps of both the driver and the driven clutches. he said they should be the same and if not, they change the springs in the driven until it matches close as possible.

If you know of a good "kevlar" belt out there, send me the link. I see that gokartsusa.com sells one, but those guys never answer the phone or return emails, so I hate to give them any of my money.

Thanks for the reply!

Scott

 

[redsox985]

I hate to rain on your parade, but the 30 series can rarely handle any more that 8HP. You will not get more speed out of this clone unless you pull the governor, just more torque. The Subie and Clone are both limited at 3600RPM. Unless you gear very low, thus losing a lot of speed, you will MOST LIKELY burn belts like they're nothing. You could get lucky, but just be warned. Sorry.

 

[r97]

unfortunately....

you can try the 30 series, like redsox said you may get lucky, but you may want to look into a used 40 series comet, gtc 40 series, or possibly a cvtech CVT.

you will probably be happier with the 11hp clone vs the 9hp subie, but i will let you know ebay often has ex27s going for 275 shipped, i bought my ex17 for 250 plus ship about 3 days before the ex27 appeared,

other than that, looks good!

redsox, subies are governed at 4000rpm , i just had to mention it!

 

[Bluethunder3320]

by turning the trottle stop out a little bit you can get 4,000 off the clone.

 

[B man]

the 30 series can handle more than 8hp. those are just its mostly based on shaft size. because above 8hp the shaft size is 1inch. but thats just what i read in another thread.

 

[scottisha69]

Two of the guys that sell and service the Subie engines, here in Orlando, have 13hp engines with a 30 series clutch. One has a chopper and one has a go kart.
Everything I had read, up to the point of talking to them, was that I would need a 40 series.
these guys said, "You can use a 30 series...just get the 1" driver"...So, I thought I would try it and if it seems to burn up belts a lot, then I'll spend the cash on the 40 series.

Speaking of the GTC series of clutches, I think gokartusa.com is the only place selling them. Like I mentioned, these guys don't answer their phone or return emails, so I'm afraid to buy from them.

Ironically, as you guys are talking about governors, I was in my garage pulling apart the engine, to remove the governor. Governor is now out. I'll be welding the engine mounting plate today and hopefully aligning the engine and drilling the holes to mount it.

And don't apologize or feel like you're raining on my parade, when you point out things like the clutch issue. It's all part of the process.

 

[redsox985]

With the governor out, you will be able to gear lower to appease your TC while still maintaining some top end. This could work.

the 30 series can handle more than 8hp. those are just its mostly based on shaft size. because above 8hp the shaft size is 1inch. but thats just what i read in another thread.

This is a blatant lie. There are many 8HP engines with a 1" shaft. Also, what about a heavily modded clone? These can push 10-12HP which would destroy a belt lickedy-split, but they have a 3/4" shaft! I hope you didn't read that on here. They can take more that 8HP, but only with radical gearing. I believe one member did it, but he had an somewhere around an 8:1 ratio, using about an 80+ tooth #40 sprocket.

 

[scottisha69]

Engine is in and running. Just need to get the right length throttle cable and she'll be ready to go.
I did test it out without the cable. Just reached back and used my hand. A little awkward, but gave me a feel for what is in store.

Using my phone's "speedometer" app (which has proven to be accurate within 1 mph) I hit 43 mph. My max mph with the old engine was 31, but that was just once. typically it would do about 27 mph. More importantly, the low end power is incredible. It drives like a completely different cart. Does donuts and drifts with ease and I even pulled up to a tree to see if it would break the tires loose using the tree to hold me back. The tires broke loose and dug a hole to the point I had to rock it out backwards.

I removed the governor prior to ever installing the engine, so I can not comment on a before and after. I would imagine removing the governor has given me that extra 10 mph top speed.

So far the 30 series clutch set up has held up. I actually drove it very hard and for a good period of time, using my hand to control the throttle. I'm using the same belt that was on the previous set up, so it already had some wear and tear.

I need to get an aftermarket exhaust. You'll see in the pictures that the exhaust heat shield looks crooked. It's from being whacked by the luggage rack when the suspension compresses. I need the exhaust to come out to the side or back.

*also, the reason I'm missing the left rear mud flap is because it came off when my neighbor rolled the kart on its side.

 

[r97]

looks like you had a blast! good to hear the tc is holding up!

 

[fowler]

thats lookin pretty good

u need to change the vector sticker

i just made thread about building my muffler and toystory has a good thread on building one

 

[anderkart]

Nice

 

[B.M.800]

Cool! look like fun.

 

[B man]

With the governor out, you will be able to gear lower to appease your TC while still maintaining some top end. This could work.



This is a blatant lie. There are many 8HP engines with a 1" shaft. Also, what about a heavily modded clone? These can push 10-12HP which would destroy a belt lickedy-split, but they have a 3/4" shaft! I hope you didn't read that on here. They can take more that 8HP, but only with radical gearing. I believe one member did it, but he had an somewhere around an 8:1 ratio, using about an 80+ tooth #40 sprocket.

I meant stock. and im just saying i dont think it will hurt it. and yes i saw it here.

 

[redsox985]

I would like to see who on here said that a 30 series could take much more than 8HP.

 

[anderkart]

Not me, I just mentioned lower gears could help ease the stain.

 

[redsox985]

Exactly, it can be done, but it is unlikely that it will do well with a 4-6:1 ratio, what's usually run with them on smaller engines.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

gonna get a billet rod and flywheel for that?

 

[B man]

I would like to see who on here said that a 30 series could take much more than 8HP.

Blaz has said something about it himself. we were talking about the 40series holding up to more than its max hp,but i would guess it would be the same for the 30series. i agree its only rated to 8hp. but theres a good chance it could work. and if he can get a 40series he should.

And u posted there also.

Besides he says its holding up.