Can I use ATV torque converter clutches for a go kart?

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Doc Sprocket

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I see a couple potential problems.
1) I don't think it will fit a 1" straight shaft, so you may have to have an adapter machined.
2) Snowmobile engines are high revving beasts. The one I had, the CVT didn't even begin to engage until about 4000 RPM. If you put a CVT like that on an unmodified OPE engine, you'll be at max throttle and governed 3600RPM, and you simply won't move because the engine isn't turning fast enough to engage the driver.

Looking at the prices and hurdles, you're better off to buy a Comet 40 driver/driven/belt.
 
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Doc Sprocket said:
2) Snowmobile engines are high revving beasts. The one I had, the CVT didn't even begin to engage until about 4000 RPM. If you put a CVT like that on an unmodified OPE engine, you'll be at max throttle and governed 3600RPM, and you simply won't move because the engine isn't turning fast enough to engage the driver.

Looking at the prices and hurdles, you're better off to buy a Comet 40 driver/driven/belt.
Click to expand...

Maybe you can get some real weak springs for the ATV clutch?? I don't know

I would also spring for a Comet 40 series
 
Doc Sprocket

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carlos1212 said:
well had a 40 comet but there just isn't enough power that I thought it would have.
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What do you mean by this? A CVT doesn't make power, it is, for all intents and purposes, an automatic transmission.

What kind of engine do you have, how large/heavy is your kart, what is your gearing, etc?
 
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Well gear ratio is 6:1 (10T jack-shaft, 60T axle)
what I mean power wise is that, I want to be able to do donuts on gravel road or have enough power to go mud bogging, which my atv is well capable of and weight twice the weight.

the go kart is a manco intruder it has 25'' tires on the back 420cc (15hp) and weights about 250-300lbs
 
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Well that's your problem. You expect too much. You're running an OPE/industrial engine that caps out at 3600RPM, and questionably rated at 15hp. You've got a heavy machine and seriously large tires.

Your problem is not the CVT, it's the engine/tire/weight/gearing equation. You cannot compare your manco to your ATV. Your ATV has an engine and powertrain optimised for what it is. The last thing you need to concern yourself with here is the CVT, it is perfectly capable of handling an engine of that size.

Consider gearing lower, reducing tire diameter, dropping some weight, increasing the engine's maximum RPM, increasing it's output, or a combination of the above.
 
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