i am picking up my first gokart within the week and i plan on making it more of a project than my wife could hope for. the kart im picking up has a 5.5 honda engine. i have a 19hp Briggs & Stratton engine aswell from a riding lawnmower. my question is (seems obvious but maybe im wrong) isnt the 19hp way faster assuming same gear ration setup?
engine question.
- Thread starter pblr89
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Not necessarily. The rpm is not going any faster so how can it possibly turn the wheels any faster?
If your cart is really heavy then a low hp motor will not let you get to the top speed. You could put a 6.5 hp motor on a mini bike and on a go kart with the same gear ratio, both will end up at about the same top speed. The mini bike will get there faster of course.
If your cart is really heavy then a low hp motor will not let you get to the top speed. You could put a 6.5 hp motor on a mini bike and on a go kart with the same gear ratio, both will end up at about the same top speed. The mini bike will get there faster of course.
Is the engine a vertical shaft? because if it is it is pretty much unusable for your purposes. Also, to answer your question, with the extra hp, you will be able to put it in a steeper gear ratio and still have acceleration.
it is a vertical but i saw this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mYDqKUqU1g so it seems doable. what do you think?
I agree.
Also, the only way that the 19HP motor will give you a faster speed is if you gear it differently. You can have a steeper or higher gear ratio with more HP.
qtband
Well-known member
I agree with the above posters and will add that finding a clutch for the 19hp could also be pricey.
hmmm there are so many variables in answers i have gotten with the 5 or even 6.5 hp engines. im basically trying to build a kart thats fast on the pavement but can go in some mud/gravel areas on trails and such. on pavement im looking for around 30mph atleast. suggestions? thanks
Bluethunder3320
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if i was you,
i would sell the 19hp engine on craigslist and use that money to buy performance parts for the 5.5 honda.
is your kart 1 wheel drive or solid axle 2 wheel drive? do you have a clutch or torque converter?
i would sell the 19hp engine on craigslist and use that money to buy performance parts for the 5.5 honda.
is your kart 1 wheel drive or solid axle 2 wheel drive? do you have a clutch or torque converter?
Jake.B
New member
I agree with Bluethunder sell the 19hp and get performance parts.
Do you have a picture of what style kart you were looking at making?
If it is one of the typical one seaters like this 5hp+ will do the job.
If you are going to with a heavier beast like I have, similar to below, you want to definitely go with at least 6.5 hp.
If it is one of the typical one seaters like this 5hp+ will do the job.
If you are going to with a heavier beast like I have, similar to below, you want to definitely go with at least 6.5 hp.
flowerman
junior member
There is not a huge deal of difference between 5.5hp and 6.5hp, but if you had the choice go for the 6.5 because there easy to mod.
Cost: well to get 15hp out of it might be quite expensive but 10hp is certainly doable with little money.
Here is a good website in modding these OHV engines.http://www.affordablegokarts.com/performance_basics.php
Hope this helps
Cost: well to get 15hp out of it might be quite expensive but 10hp is certainly doable with little money.
Here is a good website in modding these OHV engines.http://www.affordablegokarts.com/performance_basics.php
Hope this helps
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