Buy or Build Frame (another newb)?

[Sleepy122CID]

Buy or Build Frame - Fun Off-Road (another newb)?

I work on cars for a living, so I am mechanically inclined, but I don't know a whole lot about karts or small engines. I've been researching for a couple weeks, and I've decided that I want a rigid kart with a roll cage for running through the woods around my house. At first I was thinking about building my own chassis, but now I'm thinking it may be better to modify one to my liking because I may never finish (in a reasonable amount of time) if I build my own from scratch (I stay very busy with unfinished projects already heh). I want a live axle, and probably a torque converter, and enough power to get me moving pretty good (I'm no stranger to speed, I have a 500+whp ~2500lb project car). Since it will be through a short wooded track, top speed isn't my main priority. I guess 40-60mph will probably suffice (for now).

My main question right now is about a kart I am going to look at. The ad says it has a GX160 engine that is hard to start, but I won't know if it drives because it needs a belt. A coworker has already offered up a 16hp Briggs 4-stroke engine that needs a fuel pump. This guy is asking $250 for this:

Plus it will come with two rear wheels that need 22x11-8 tires. Is this reasonable? Or should I suck it up and start building from scratch?

Thanks in advance for your time and advice.

 

[fowler]

looks ok

 

[xoltri]

I can't imagine not having suspension for off road. But 250 is really cheap, it would be very hard to build a suspended kart for anywhere near that price. Just the shocks cost me $120.

 

[Sleepy122CID]

So I went to look at it and ended up picking it up. It already has a live axle, and dual disc brakes. It appears that it was painted over rust, so I plan on completely disassembling it, sand blasting it to good metal (patching if necessary) and powder coating it (I do a little powder coating) before reassembling it and deciding if I should fab up my coworkers old 16hp B&S on it...

I can't imagine real offroading without suspension, but this will be more of a wooded (pretty smooth) course.

 

[freakboy]

i would add the 16 horse you would probaly need to sell that TQ and buy a bigger stronger TQ

 

[r_chez_08]

Good deal as the torque converter alone new is 150

 

[Sleepy122CID]

After unloading the kart off the truck I rolled it down to the shed to collect dust for at least a couple of weeks before I get a chance to start tearing it down.

The more I think about it the more excited I get. I went down and took some pictures, and I may start tearing into it later this afternoon if I can find the energy (had a mild cold of some sort the last few days).

Looks ok from afar:

Seat bottom:

Comet...

20 Series?

LH Disc Brake:

RH Disc Brake... Live Axle:

We'll see how bad it really is after media blasting everything, but right now I'm assuming it is going to be pretty pitted after all the rust is gone, so I plan on powder coating the chassis with textured colors. I don't think I'll want to put the time into filling and sanding for a smooth finish. I'll probably be going with a wrinkle black on all surfaces that will be contacted by me (seat, pedals, floor pan, etc), and wrinkle red on the rest.

Is there anything I should not be messing with trying to restore as far as the mechanics? Should I just toss this rusted torque converter or is it ok to try and blast the parts clean and possibly try and powder coat them? I haven't yet seen how it actually operates...

I think it is time to start a build thread. Thanks again for all the help so far guys! I know I'll need a lot more help in the future! I'll be sure to post the link for the build thread here when I start it.

 

[Blazkowiez]

Ken-Bar or Streaker made some exceptionally high quality karts, I think you got a good deal. Good luck with your project. I don't know if I'd ever spend the time (or money) trying to put a 16 on there.

 

[Sleepy122CID]

Ken-Bar or Streaker made some exceptionally high quality karts, I think you got a good deal. Good luck with your project. I don't know if I'd ever spend the time (or money) trying to put a 16 on there.

When you say money do you mean buying new or figuring out how to mount it? I'll have to get some dimensions of the one my coworker is talking about, but I think he will give it to me for next to nothing... I think I would shell out the money for the required torque converter if that ends up being my main expense of the build...

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

those briggs opposed twins are pretty hefty engines, around 100lbs or so, and very torquey, but considerably low power for their size/weight. You could probably get 40mph out of one, and still have the torque you need for off road.

 

[Sleepy122CID]

He told me it is actually a single cylinder that is basically new (because of all the work he did on it before he quit using it), from a really old tractor...

Edit: If it is that old I bet it is even heavier though lol

 

[robbie]

I think you ought to drive the kart as is before you decide that it needs a different engine.

 

[gcarter95]

So I went to look at it and ended up picking it up. It already has a live axle, and dual disc brakes. It appears that it was painted over rust, so I plan on completely disassembling it, sand blasting it to good metal (patching if necessary) and powder coating it (I do a little powder coating) before reassembling it and deciding if I should fab up my coworkers old 16hp B&S on it...

I can't imagine real offroading without suspension, but this will be more of a wooded (pretty smooth) course.

Put ATV tires on it running low pressure.

 

[Sleepy122CID]

I think you ought to drive the kart as is before you decide that it needs a different engine.

I think you are right. I am getting ahead of myself, and this is exactly the reason I thought it would be a better idea to start with a base instead of building my own (and wasting all kinds of money in the process).

 

[Sleepy122CID]

Ok I looked at the TC after reading about identification (so I can order a belt), and it looks like it is actually a Comet 30 series...