Coming out of lurking

[DA73]

Hi all!
My name is Danny, I'm a junior (Soon to be senior) in high school. Always loved working with my hands and building, so I've decided to take a shot at Go Karts! I've been a lurker here for a while and have done small work on my car for about a year, so my knowledge base is existent but limited to say the least.

I do some work on a farm on weekends and the other guy I work with thinks he could build a better Kart than I can. Neither of us have any experience so I think this describes it ( ). I hoping everyone here can help me prove him wrong! I'm officially on the hunt for parts but due to lack of experience I'm not 100% sure what I should be looking for. Where our race will happen is on the farm where we have roughly 800 acres of land to use, plenty of straightaways, mud, rocks, and even a small creek to cross is along our chosen path. The issue is the hills, there is one steep climb that lasts a couple hundred yards which will be a test of power. Hopefully you all can help me along the way!

 

[itsid]

Uhm, what if he reads this forum too?


Anyways, I'm sure there's a ton of information around here that'll help you avoid some mistakes.
the more msitakes you can avoid, the better your final kart will be.

So instead of just asking for help (bacause we might forget something to explain)
you should also browse and read as much as you can.

if you end up having a more specific question, we will provide the help and information necessary

'sid

 

[braden xx]

look for engens

 

[itsid]

I think you and your friend should set up some rules,
otherwise it'll end up being an arms race, not a matter of skills

So choose an engine you both will have to use (say a 6.5HP stock predator.. it's cheap common and reliable)
pick wheelsies for front and rear (ar at least a range of them)
if you can run a Torque Converter or if you must use a centrifugal clutch...

things like that.

With just those basic rules you can make sure it's indeed about the kart you build and how well you did it.
not about who can afford the better/bigger engine or the better transmission...

'sid

 

[DA73]

Maybe he will.....

The race is more just for fun, we both want to build the best we can afford but having any usual teenage job we can't afford much! So I don't want to dump money into a Kart I will immediately trash to build a more powerful one.

I've done a ton of reading already, been lurking this site and others most the school year. Once I buy a frame I'll start a build thread so everyone can laugh at the mistakes I will make!

I will be going with a clutch, cheaper and I'm not using anything with power a clutch couldn't handle.






Heres the Kart I have my eye on, only $250.
https://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/4448120243.html