engine recommendation?

[therealsamfisher]

the kart currently has a tecumseh 6hp ohv , and while it runs , I would lile to swap the motor.

I am looking at a few different setups and would like some guidance and or advice as to the pros and cons of my possible choices. I am relatively new to these engines so please forgive any ignorance.

first engine , a 196cc ducar.
http://www.dynocams.com/product_info.php?products_id=3222 this is the cheapest option

second engine

the 212 predator
https://www.bmikarts.com/mobile/212cc-65HP-Predator-Engine-from-Harbor-Freight_p_18.html

then there are a few briggs motors Im much more intrigued by , such as the 900 series ohv , and the various animal motors ( notable increase in pricing here , as far as I can see so far )

I would like to know the benefits of the higher power motors , as well as the smaller ones , especially the ducar , since I have already spoken to a small engine shop about that specific one but have not gotten any real authoritative/informative response about the motor.

also , the kart in question is my manco "quicksilver"

 

[OzFab]

first engine , a 196cc ducar.
http://www.dynocams.com/product_info.php?products_id=3222 this is the cheapest option

Umm, no it's not; unless you can walk in & pick it up, shipping will cost a fortune...

Also, on sale & with a coupon, predators have been purchased for as low as $85

I would like to know the benefits of the higher power motors , as well as the smaller ones , especially the ducar , since I have already spoken to a small engine shop about that specific one but have not gotten any real authoritative/informative response about the motor.

The benifit is you get more power out of a small, lightweight engine; Imagine a 13hp engine on a go kart, now imagine the same amount of power from an engine half the size & half the weight for around the same price; because the kart is not having to carry the heavier engine, it's a lot more responsive & handles much better because it's better balanced...

The simple fact is the better an engine can breathe, the better it will perform & the majority of that is done in the head, the bottome end is built up simply to "keep up" with the top end...

There is a list of possible mods that's LITERALLY as long as your arm, it all depends what you want to do & how much money you have...

One specific thing I will mention is cams; there are loads of them out there & they all work differently, depending on their individual profile but, most cams are made for top end (high RPM) but, most places that sell them recommend you leave the governor intact How does an engine reach "high RPM" when it's limited to 3600rpm? Personally, I prefer a low end cam to provide more torque on take off...

 

[therealsamfisher]

ill stick around 800 for my final budget.

I would like an all around quick kart , and prefer more than enough power if you get what I mean.

if I swing for the animal motor , will I have more reliability, power , torque and whatnot ?

what if I stick with a lower power motor ? will I be able to drift in dirt and stuff ? basically I want something thats going to provide me with " too much power " as they would say lol ..

they have an event weekly near my house with karts like mentioned , id like to be able to show up with something worthy

 

[OzFab]

Sorry, I was editing as you were typing, you may want to reread my previous post...

 

[therealsamfisher]

so what would you say are some good options in the high power range ?

like notably higher power than the usual 6 - 6.5s im seeing?

 

[OzFab]

There's two way to end up with a quick kart: reduced weight or powerful engine; of course, gearing, tyre size/type, clutch type & other variables make a difference but, essentially, it all comes down to power:weight...

Unfortunately, you want to put it in a Quicksilver, which is comparitively heavy & has big tyres so, the only choice is lots of power... BIG BLOCK POWER! If you want it to be quick & be able to break traction at will, there's not really any other choice...

Yes, you can probably get 13hp from a predator but, you can just as easily get 18hp from a BIG predator; yes, the bill will be bigger but, so will the thrill...

If you don't mind straying from the industrial engines, other choices include GY6 & quad bike/ATV engines

 

[firemanjim]

You want a kart like theirs, so you can play like them and be an equal? Screw that! Drop your money on a Lifan 125cc dirt bike engine, and CLOWN them fools.......
For what you want to do, it's cheaper to get the 125cc versus hopping up a I/C engine and still only have ONE gear ratio.....
1st gear, we gonna shred the tires off.... 2nd through 4th (or 5th) is just gonna leave em in so much dirt that they could safely cry and blame it on something in the eye......

 

[therealsamfisher]

ok , so I am going with the ducar , but the man at the powersports shop says I can get upgraded internals and stuff. and he showed me a ( in my eyes ) very large throttle body that was to go on it as well. not sure what all I can get done to this motor but he says it can be pretty fast..

also , he said he put in a stronger spring onto my other karts converter , said it was going to give me more torque , but now it feels like its just spinning the belt and not always making the kart move... also ended up throwing the chain on that one as well. this was all within 30 minutes of me getting back from the shop..

 

[firemanjim]

Of course he is gonna tell you what you want to hear..... He is selling you parts!
Get that engine, spend all your money on it so it has a lot of power. And I'll put my 125 on my kart. Post a video of what you can do. Burn outs, donuts, top speed... Ect.....
I'll post the same type video. My kart will out power yours, and out run yours..... While you're waiting for the engine to increase the rpms to the upper level, where your power is, and I'll be flipping through gears, watching you fade into the distance.
You want power on the bottom so you can "play"? Do burn outs, and donuts? AND you want a high top speed? Only way to have the best of both worlds is to have multiple gear ratios to play with.
I'm not making any money off you. I'd tell you the 125cc to save you money and because I've personally put one on a kart and was SURPRISED as H€££ at the new found fun factor it provided. I promise you, the first time you take it for a spin, you will grin ear to ear and say, "yeah, I'm glad I listened to that dude..... "

 

[OzFab]

He's right; with a single gear, you can have low end torque or high top speed, not both...

As I said in my earlier post, a quicksilver is not exactly a light kart so, a hopped up 6.5hp producing ~9hp will do little more than move it...

 

[therealsamfisher]

ok now my question is this , wouldnt my larger kart ( labeled "dingo 6gl" , has a MUCH sturdier frame and all around way more solid base ) be a better candidate for a higher power like that?

this quicksilver is alright but relatively beat and also very thin wall small tubing. I understand the larger kart is a bit heavier , but its also a one seater , and definitely more comfortable lol

 

[OzFab]

OK, have a quick read through this thread (no, I don't expect you to read all 16 pages...)

That kart has a beefed up GX160 & weighs ~75lbs; it drifts great... on grass; it's quick, but not "neck snap" quick & might break traction on tarmac... if & when it feels like it...

Need I say more?

 

[firemanjim]

Is this for "street" purposes? Or off road?

 

[DeathMachine]

This would drift pretty well.....

 

[firemanjim]

DeathMachine, I know you're new here, but I figured with all the reading you have done, you'd know by better by now...... DONT give these guys too many ideas. Especially like this one...... ! Now I gotta find me a v-6......

 

[therealsamfisher]

Is this for "street" purposes? Or off road?

somewhat of both ill say , a good 50 / 50 mix.

This would drift pretty well.....

and.... yea.... I dont have the means lol , I do however have a spare 2.3 turbo motor sitting around ...

 

[DeathMachine]

I have most of the ingredients for that lil monster.

 

[therealsamfisher]

I need to just ante up and grab a welder.. my shop provides everything I need , but its a good hour from home lol.

id like to put my own frame together like fabroman did in his build thread.

 

[therealsamfisher]

a little off topic , but ill ask , the guy at the shop sold me a stronger spring for the convertor and now the kart is responding funny.

when I gas it , it seems to bog. but as far as I can tell the belt IS spinning , but the chain is not.

 

[firemanjim]

Something don't look right..... You got the belt on in the right direction? Is that a 30 or 40 series tc?