gearing for a trucker

[Crazy Nick]

Ok i traded a chainsaw for a project cart. it sports a 3/4 solid axle and in the end will have an 8hp engine. Im close now and need gearing advice. Im running 4 lawn tires 20x8 . Im 235lbs and the cart is lets say at least 200lbs. Im looking for torque to go up hill climbs and have maybe 35mph top speed. I want to climb more than go fast. My rig goes fast w a/c . But I dont want to do wheelies off the line. With out a torque converter what is the best I can acheive or with a jack shaft do the ratios get better, and finally should I get a cement mixer 8hp with a reduction gear drive in the block to acheive this. Please help. Ive been researching this on youtube and it seems people are wasting a lot of money on things that dont work as they post new videos with different setups.

 

[redsox985]

I'd suggest a bike engine for what you want. Gearing depends upon the motor, but it would surely have the torque and top end you want. You can downshift to get the low torque-y power to climb then shift up to get speed. You will probably have to gear it low to top out at 35mph, but that will allow some serious climbing strength.

 

[r97]

if you use the 8hp and remove gov you should expect to spin the tires, but with a top speed of 15mph you may want to do as redsox said

 

[Blazkowiez]

A bike engine will most likely make the 3/4" axle snap like a twig, wouldn't it be best to simply get a torque converter which will act like a variable transmission and do the necessary work to gain initial torque and top speed you desire?

 

[metalthrashinman]

And I agree with Blaz.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

i agree with both metal and blaz