Engine mounting - offset or center?

[TXST8tj]

In working up plans for my gokart, I have been curious about the placement of the engine. I see some designs with the engine mounted on one side of the vehicle, and the sprocket very close to that side's wheel. I have also seen some with the engine more closely centered, and the sprocket in line with that.

If I am building a 'floating' rear section (suspension), is one method/design better than the other?
Is there any reason why it is done differently?

My thoughts are to have the engine centered in the rear for better weight distribution, but I wanted to know if there is a better thought out there.

 

[Nodroz]

Some people put their engine on one side of the gokart, because they only have onewheel drive. The sprocket is attached to the wheel, not the axle. So only 1 wheel will transfer power to the ground. That may be a reason why people are mounting these on either of the the sides.

I placed my engine on the right side, because I couldn't connect my swingarm to the framesonwhere. Now the engine is moved to the left side, I can nicely get my swingarm pivot in the middle. If the engine was there, that would be almost impossible.

If you have the chance, try to place engine in the center, it's the best in my opinion.

 

[TXST8tj]

That makes sense about mounting to one side.
The design I have in mind works best with the engine in the center, I just wanted to get a handle on the mind-set of placement options.

 

[landuse]

That makes sense about mounting to one side.
The design I have in mind works best with the engine in the center, I just wanted to get a handle on the mind-set of placement options.

Yeah, there is no real rule as to where it should be placed. Centre is good because of weight ditribution. I would also recommend placing it either above or behind the axle, also for weight distribution. At the end of the day, it is what works better for you though

 

[jamyers]

^^^^ agreed.

I'd add that with a live axle, not only do both rear tires drive the kart, you get a LOT more flexibility in placing the engine, brakes, bearings.

Plus, when my "ThunderKart" 2-seater was one-wheel drive with the engine AND the driver on the left (and idiotically wrong caster), it was dangerously easy for an adult driver to flip when doing a fast turn to the right - the front tire would grab and before you knew it you'd be up on the side.
Now with a live axle, center-mounted (bigger/heavier) engine+battery (and a longer wheelbase and corrected caster), I'd say it's virtually impossible to flip - when pushed hard the rear end just slides out and you spin. Not sure how much of the difference moving the engine made, but I sure feel better about it!

 

[B.M.800]

^^ Jamyers, you got pics of your kart there?

 

[jamyers]

^^ Jamyers, you got pics of your kart there?

Yup, see my sig for its build thread, lots of pics and videos there.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Yup- center it if you have the ability to. I think sometimes (racing) they are shoved way off to the side to help keep the kart compact.