First Go Kart Help needed please :)

[jamie20]

Hello,
me and my friend our looking to do a project building a race go kart. and im trying to do research about parts needed to get up a rough price but i dont know what exactly need all together... so i have found an engine which I think it is good apparently it has been sold to local go karting companies as well opinions (photo below and link)
and if so what else am i looking to be needing along with this and the best options for brakes and tires cheap and clutch.

http://thepowersite.co.uk/evopower-evo420e-electric-start-14hp-25mm-straight-shaft-honda-gx390-replacement-engine




thank you suggestions are much appreciated
Jamie

 

[Poboy kartman]

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry to say....but you're dreaming if you think you can successfully build a race kart out of the box first time... You've already asked enough to show you're not ready.

It's awesome to dream big...and tackle life's challenges head on...but..it's more rewarding to succeed. I/ we would love to be proven wrong, but as the saying goes: you have to crawl before you learn to walk. There's another saying: there's an exception to every rule, maybe you and your buddy are it.

As far as cost: you could buy a good used auto cheaper.

I would suggest a used fixer upper kart to start.

 

[OzFab]

Unless that's what you mean by

building a race go kart.

Building a kart frame involves a lot of engineering & experience; building a racing kart frame involves a lot more engineering & experience...

Buying an existing frame & rebuilding it? That's doable...

Choosing an engine is usually determined by the class of racing you enter; no matter what vehicle you use, every racing class has its own rules & regulations & you may not find a class that allows 14hp 4 stroke engines...

BTW: Please don't create duplicate threads/posts; your other thread has now been deleted...

 

[landuse]

Welcome!!

 

[michaelcorp]

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry to say....but you're dreaming if you think you can successfully build a race kart out of the box first time... You've already asked enough to show you're not ready.

It's awesome to dream big...and tackle life's challenges head on...but..it's more rewarding to succeed. I/ we would love to be proven wrong, but as the saying goes: you have to crawl before you learn to walk. There's another saying: there's an exception to every rule, maybe you and your buddy are it.

As far as cost: you could buy a good used auto cheaper.

I would suggest a used fixer upper kart to start.

he could do research...i know he wont find all the answers he want but he will get on google

 

[Poboy kartman]

He can get all the answers here. That's not the point. I can study golf for 10 years....I still am not going to go out and even come close to breaking par on my first round!

 

[landuse]

He can get all the answers here. That's not the point. I can study golf for 10 years....I still am not going to go out and even come close to breaking par on my first round!

I thought you were a master at golf!!

 

[Poboy kartman]

I thought you were a master at golf!!

Nope....didn't pick up a club until I was in my mid forties , spent a couple of grand on gadgets and videos, got about 50 clubs, practiced and worked hard at it for four or five years before I even broke 100. My best ever was 85...(13 over par). My handicap is........(I can't hit a ball straight! !!!!)

 

[jamie20]

Aww right okay cheer guys for the replies, yeah all is true it is a dream, but im not expecting it to work with out any problems, thats my point im just going to go and learn things and jsut build it slowly thats the point of it being a summer as a project as i will have lots of time. i want to learn about this sort of thing. I have people I can ask if really needs be so ill just see what happens thanks for putting me into reality aha ill get back to you with results later
Thank you
Jamie

 

[Poboy kartman]

Hey....no problem...we will be more than happy to help you as much as we can....and we don't mind answering questions from the simplest to the most complex.

Even if you only build this thing on paper, we will help you to the best of our abilities....(and they are pretty varied and extremely competent) .

SO....we're just saying...it's not going to be easy....and the chance for failure is high when you try to start at the top...

But....if you have any chance of pulling it off...you came to the right place..

Ask away....do research on your own, too....and mainly ....ask first....don't wait until something goes wrong.... We would much rather instruct than reconstruct!

Good luck...and let us know which direction you want to go...

 

[jamie20]

aw right thank you guys... so if i was to buy a Gx390 engine i have read around and they say that not to use a centrifugal clutch as they burn out really quickly is this true? ... also therefore would it be better to get a torque convert for the engine and how does it actually work... im looking to build a go kart that is literally used for fun that goes some speed but it would be on flat surfaces (not off-road)
maybe use something like this would this work ?
http://gokartsusa.com/GTC-TC2-Torque-Converter-30-Series.aspx

thank you again sorry for my newbie questions

 

[Poboy kartman]

A TC is a torque converter...but more specifically...a CVT: Constant Variable Transmission....

Not only do they generally handle higher HP... but they start off in a lower gear...and gradually shift to a higher one.....(think of it as an automatic transmission) .

While a centrifugal clutch is .....well....like a clutch on a standard transmission, but you don't get to shift gears....soooo....either you start in first, (and don't go too fast)....or you start in high, and take off slower than molasses, (and maybe burn up a slipping clutch in the process.)

I would also imagine the clutch for a 390cc engine to be pricey.....

Soooooo..... TC?

 

[jamie20]

ahh right yeah thats what I found out thank you for clarifying that for me... also what sort of TC would you recommend any links to places to buy online for the engine at the top of this thread?
thank you again

 

[landuse]

ahh right yeah thats what I found out thank you for clarifying that for me... also what sort of TC would you recommend any links to places to buy online for the engine at the top of this thread?
thank you again

Comet 40 series TC for an engine that size

 

[jamie20]

Im struggling to find a 1"Bore 40 series torque converter anyone have any links to for a good price

 

[landuse]

Im struggling to find a 1"Bore 40 series torque converter anyone have any links to for a good price

Nearly all of them are 1"?? Where are you looking?

 

[jamie20]

nearly all of what ? the one i linked is a 30 series 1" bore you said I need a 40 series right ?

 

[Poboy kartman]

Nearly all of the 40 series....which is what you need.

 

[landuse]

Im struggling to find a 1"Bore 40 series torque converter anyone have any links to for a good price

This is what you asked

Nearly all of them are 1"?? Where are you looking?

This is what I said.

nearly all of what ? the one i linked is a 30 series 1" bore you said I need a 40 series right ?

Why would you be asking "nearly all of what"? Obviously I meant the 40 series!

 

[Poboy kartman]

What are you talking about. I said you needed a 40 series, and you said you cannot find one which is 1". Why would you link a 30 series??

In all fairness.....he did link the 30 series before you recommended the 40.....but....how there could be confusion on HIS part....confuses me even more?