Dongfang DF200GKD upgrade w/Predator 420cc need advice

[opfor_gunner]

Hello,
I recently became a member after several days of lurking and reading forums. I believe I'm in the right place for the help I need. I would like to thank you in advance for all of your assistance.

BLUF; I just purchased a used DF200GKD (http://www.df-motor.com/product_show.asp?id=658 )and realized how underpowered the 168cc engine is. I want the best bang for the buck and that appears to be the Predator 420. I also don't want to lose the capability of having reverse.

Will the Predator mate up to the existing gear box? If not, what's the opinions on this gear box? (https://www.ebay.com/itm/331676869846 ) What TC would be the best? Any additional advice is appreciated. Thanks

---------- Post added at 01:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:06 PM ----------

Also, does anyone know the hub/wheel bolt pattern on this kart? Is it 4x110mm?

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Does that gear box (ebay item) have reverse? It doesn't say so.

My research indicates you want a F_N_R gearbox and a torque converter. Your major issue with a 420cc engine, a TC and gearbox will be whether there is enough space in the back of that buggy.

 

[opfor_gunner]

That's a good question. I assumed that it would have reverse. I'll research that some more. What do you think about the current gear box, it's probably similar but it does have reverse. Do you think I could retain it? (Provided there's room for the 420, which I believe I could modify if not)

---------- Post added at 01:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:50 PM ----------

Would this be a suitable TC?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/272544181353

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

You got pictures of the current set up?

 

[opfor_gunner]

I'll take one and post it as soon as I get home. I've been thinking about the issue of having enough space. I believe if I replace the breather and relocate the fuel tank I should be in good shape. The 168 that's on it has both and fits nice.

 

[itsid]

you cannot mate an industrial engine with the CVT nor the FnR Gear box.
just the 7500rpms gives it away tbh.

You cannot just drop in a predator; and frankly if you drop in a predator 420 with a series 40 and likely a different FNR gear box, you spend enough bucks to have a good 250cc motorbike engine instead (with four times the power! proper gearbox and it's even more likely that the fnr gearbox can be reused)

And on top of all that money spent.. it's likely going to be a disappointing result

'sid

 

[Hellion]

Awww, it's a cute little Chinese buggy! And with a name like Dong Fang,

it cannot be beat...nor can the snickering be curbed.

Pics galore on that site but none showing what the business end (the engine and tranny) really looks like and how it's oriented.

Yeah, an industrial thumper on that thing is going to be lackluster. You need something high revving and with a nasty compression ratio says I. Multi-cylinder would be nice too.

I'd strip it down, ditch the passenger seat and all the other trappings....turn signals and rear view mirrors? Come on!

 

[opfor_gunner]

25cc motorbike engine instead (with four times the power! proper gearbox and it's even more likely that the fnr gearbox can be reused)

And on top of all that money spent.. it's likely going to be a disappointing result

'sid[/QUOTE]

I'm open to suggestions.

?

 

[OzFab]

...And with a name like Dong Fang,

it cannot be beat...nor can the snickering be curbed.

Sounds like "dang thing"...

 

[afremont]

Does the factory motor run? It may not be a torque monster, but the HP rating isn't that bad. It revs high which is kind of a plus in my opinion. Silly accessories aside, real suspension and 4 wheel disk brakes is nice. I'm messing with one for a neighbor and after getting the carb straightened out, it runs pretty good. At 300 pounds it's kind of heavy, but seems to be a sturdy chassis.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[opfor_gunner]

It does run and doesn't do bad. It could use more power for climbing is my main complaint.

Do you know much about this motor/carb? What could I do to it?

 

[afremont]

I know very little about the motor and carb. I do know that carb bowl is riveted on making it difficult to clean properly. I learned that the mixture screw is key to making it run and idle properly without using the choke all the time. The 110cc version I'm working on seems to run well now, but I don't know how to adjust the clutch or even how to drain/fill the gearbox. I have another thread where I go into the problems I had with it not wanting to start and run correctly.

I could see why it may not want to climb well since it needs a lot of RPM to make HP and torque. So far, I like the way the chassis is built for the most part. Good steering, brakes and suspension. It seems like you could swap the motor, but it would probably take some modifications to the swing arm design to fit it in place. Might need a smaller sprocket on the axle to accommodate a lower revving motor. As someone else said, fitting a larger motorcycle engine might be more satisfying, especially since it was designed for a horizontal stroke engine anyway.

I took some pictures of how the one I have is mounted.

 

[opfor_gunner]

I may try to figure out the carburetor, add a pipe and a different air filter. If anyone knows about these carbs please help.

 

[afremont]

I watched a couple of YouTube videos of a guy mounting a predator 420 on one of these. It required removing the cage around the stock motor, putting in a new live axle and adding a piece of box tubing to create support for the engine mounting plate.

What do you want to know about the carb exactly? I found out you can get the bowl off if you add slots to the screws holding it on. There is also another mixture screw under a plug near the exposed screw. You can remove the plug by carefully drilling a small hole in it and popping it out. I didn't do either of those, but was able to get it running okay by making sure all the passages were clear by pushing wire through them and spraying them out.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[opfor_gunner]

What I was considering, and keep in mind I have very limited knowledge on this subject, was that it would need to be jetted if I put a pipe and different air cleaner. At least that's how motorcycles are that I've worked on. Also I need to figure out how to remove or disengage the governor because it's not rapping at all.

 

[opfor_gunner]

If I can just get a little more out of the stock motor on the Dongfang I may shift my attention to rebuilding this. If anyone can tell me anything about it that would be helpful. I bought it from a kid yesterday. They were trying to get the 650 Kawasaki Ninja motor to pull it. I have the original FNR rear end but need to find axles. Then I can decide what motor to build for it after I've torn it down, cleaned and painted it.

 

[afremont]

What's holding those rear wheels on? I don't see an axle in there. I take it that's the Ninja engine sitting in there. Does it need a lot more work to get it mounted and connected? That would be an awesome amount of power. Maybe use a jackshaft to get even more reduction. I'm thinking a torque converter would be pointless with that engine.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[opfor_gunner]

Im not sure how the rear hub assembly works. It rolls and the brakes work, just no axles. The previous owner didn't know if the Ninja engine ran. They were never able to get it to fire. I'm not sure how much more fabrication would be required to complete this swap. I would need to rig up a clutch and gear shift.

 

[anickode]

Im not sure how the rear hub assembly works. It rolls and the brakes work, just no axles. The previous owner didn't know if the Ninja engine ran. They were never able to get it to fire. I'm not sure how much more fabrication would be required to complete this swap. I would need to rig up a clutch and gear shift.

Independent suspension... It's missing the CV half shafts.

 

[opfor_gunner]

Independent suspension... It's missing the CV half shafts.

Yes, I'm asking if anyone know what kind it is so I can try to find a parts supplier to order from.