Dual engine kart

[isaac8787]

am assembling a dual lawn mower engine kart for hardcore off road karting using victor mowers linked to a single torque converter. havnt seen many dual engine kart except for a dual chain saw engine kart that had fast speed once in motion but poor power at low speeds. is there a reason these dont really exist? the two engines are around 4-5 HP. just wondering if there would be a problem with this setup?

 

[B.M.800]

Linking the throttle together and getting the engines RPM the same I think will be most difficult.

A member on here has a twin lawnboy engine kart. If you go look at OMB minibike forum theres several bike that have dual engines... I think someone over there is also doing a dual engine kart.

Someday when I have 2 of the same engines I want to build a dual engine kart.
They wont be linked together though, each will power one wheel, 2 separate throttle controls and 2 for the brakes... ought to be fun.

Good luck with yours!
I look forward to seeing it.

 

[isaac8787]

if i had two identical engines running simultaneously wouldnt the rpm of the two be synchronized? and if it was slightly off would it matter that much once the power has gone through the torque converter and transferred to a live axle?

 

[jamyers]

if i had two identical engines running simultaneously wouldnt the rpm of the two be synchronized? and if it was slightly off would it matter that much once the power has gone through the torque converter and transferred to a live axle?

I'm assuming that the engines will either be chained/belted together somehow, THEN power will be fed through the CVT (torque converter) and then live axle. If so, then the answer is Yes.

On any multiple-carb application (be it multiple carbs on one engine or multiple carbs on multiple engines ganged together), all synchronizing means is that each carburetor is set independently so that each contributes equally to the same rpm (usually at idle), then the throttle linkage is adjusted / set to match both carbs. Then make sure that both carbs reach wot when the pedal is mashed, and you're off and running. Back when I had an MGB with dual SU's, I had this really cool carb synchro tool that went over the carb inlet and measured airflow so you could set the idles. I think motorcycle guys use the same thing nowadays?

BUT - If you're talking about two engines, each with their own CVT, driving the same live axle, then I don't have a clue - no experience with CVT's and how they'd respond.

 

[isaac8787]

the plan is to mount two victor lawn mower engines to the chassis, right angle gear boxes joining the crankshafts to a single sprocket in the middle. the chain on this sprocketwill run to the single torque converter, from the there to the jack shaft to the rear live axle (or no jack shaft). the throttle pedal will be hooked up so it engages both throttles at exact same time and pressure.

 

[the-cyborg]

am assembling a dual lawn mower engine kart for hardcore off road karting using victor mowers linked to a single torque converter. havnt seen many dual engine kart except for a dual chain saw engine kart that had fast speed once in motion but poor power at low speeds. is there a reason these dont really exist? the two engines are around 4-5 HP. just wondering if there would be a problem with this setup?

Your talking about doing whats called a freight train or siamese setup, two engines direct to one jackshaft with a clutch on one end... clutch to axle sprocket, yes it has been and still is done.

havnt seen many dual engine kart except for a dual chain saw engine kart that had fast speed once in motion but poor power at low speeds

Apparently you've only seen old 80cc Mc49's, or old Clinton A490 or old Power Product AH47, West Bend 580's
Take a peep at some single and dual Mc 91's, 101,s, West Bend 820's Yamaha KT100's heck most any 100cc-135cc class and you'll find some mean screamers at any speed.
The 820 is rated stock for 10hp @8k rpm 134cc
I just got threw rebuilding my second 820 for my dual 59 Bug
I'd put it against your dual victor in a single or dual race any day of the week

 

[isaac8787]

this is a rough draft of the plan for dual victor lawn mower engine go kart

 

[Doc Sprocket]

You can save weight and complexity by using only one RAGB. Place the RAGB between the two engines, with both engines feeding the input. Also, to do what your drawing shows, the engines (or RAGB's) would have to rotate in opposing directions...

 

[isaac8787]

**** i only just realised that.. how would i get place them or whatever to get both crankshafts power to the gear box?

 

[sideways]

Are the Victas 2 stroke?

Super dodgy way to do twin Victas, weld the cranks together... Haha

Using a RAGB on a mower engine is a waste of time, money and effort IMO. Mower engines are so easy to convert, Only takes an hour or so to make the mount, twist the carb and if it's a 4 stroke, make an oil dipper.

If those are Victa 2 strokes (which all Victa engines are, but victa branded mowers can be had with pretty much any brand of 4 stroke engine you can name) then you'd be mad to not just convert it to horizontal shaft, would take all of half an hour to do, It doesn't get any easier than Victas.

 

[isaac8787]

wheres the right engines crankshaft connecting to in the pic? i was leaning towards the RAGB side because i have pretty much no knowledge in any sort of hardware or anything of that nature and just seemed simpler but i guess i might do the horizontal conversion then.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

**** i only just realised that.. how would i get place them or whatever to get both crankshafts power to the gear box?

By using my above suggestion. Have both engines output by chain or pulley, both going to one central RAGB- that way, rotation remains the same.