Got my 1st go-kart! but it doesn't have an engine! (help!)

[jameslbarry]

I just traded an old .22 revolver and a little cash for this project go-kart, and the kids are working to put it together.

It's a Baja Reaction 150, but... it does NOT have an engine.
While the kids have been earning the money for an engine, I've been researching online and there are a LOT of different options. (HELP!)

My goals:

• Keep it as original/bolt-in/easy to get going as possible.
• A good reputation for longevity/reliability and aftermarket parts
• The kart has a reverse lever. I want to keep this setup.. it seems engines don't come with it, so is this a bolt-on module?
• A high-speed go-kart is not necessary- it will be used in the desert, mountain roads, gentle hills...

I can do a lot of work myself (welding, basic fab, electrical...), but I'm a grad student so time is limited- thus finding an option that offers a smooth installation would be really nice.

The data I've found online indicates this kart originally came with engine model DZ1P57QMJ... (I think this is a long case engine?)
Amazon shows a variety of GY6 engines... what's the difference? Are the engine mounts all the same?
I found another that matches the exact model #, but it is a lot more $$, and does not include carb, cdi, coil, etc.. (the engines on Amazon all seem to included these)

What would you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Hellion]

Technically, that is a buggy without me seeing it. Can you post photos of what you have so we can see what the previous owner did to it (if any) and what there is to work with? You never know.

I would look for an owner's manual and technical specs to find out just what engine it had and replace it 1 to 1 with an original type. You have my blessing . Oh, and...

 

[jameslbarry]

Technically, that is a buggy without me seeing it. Can you post photos of what you have so we can see what the previous owner did to it (if any) and what there is to work with? You never know.

I would look for an owner's manual and technical specs to find out just what engine it had and replace it 1 to 1 with an original type. You have my blessing . Oh, and...

Thank you!

i was able to find the owners manual online… (that’s where i got the model number that I posted).

here are a few more pics:

(and yes- that is a disco ball piñata hanging in in…. The future drivers are twin 12 year-old girls)

The engine in it now is non-running, looks like it’s from a pressure washer, and is screwed to a piece of OSB… a LONG shot from original!

The owner’s manual references a chain, so that pulley you see is likely some mod a PO was doing. I’ll need to find the appropriate chain sprocket and get things returned to the original setup.

 

[Grizzlymi]

With the OSB(should have used MDF) and that pulley set up, looks like a young person used there imagination to make something work. I love it!!!!

Cool project and you will get all the info you need here. Welcome.

 

[Hellion]

I'm glad I asked for photos. Photos tell it all. You fibbed a little.. it DOES have an engine. Is that a Honda or a Chonda?
Hope you got the kart for free because a new GY6 is fairly expensive...

If you want to get into the hobby on the cheap, a yard kart and a 212cc Predator engine is the ticket. Buy two single seat karts, even.

 

[jameslbarry]

I'm glad I asked for photos. Photos tell it all. You fibbed a little.. it DOES have an engine. Is that a Honda or a Chonda?
Hope you got the kart for free because a new GY6 is fairly expensive...

If you want to get into the hobby on the cheap, a yard kart and a 212cc Predator engine is the ticket. Buy two single seat karts, even.

Yes- you are right. I fibbed about the engine. I was reading an old post on the same topic, but it seemed the presence of another engine confused people and the opinions on the post went back and forth enough that I felt the value of the content unreliable. lol

In my first post I showed some engines I saw on Amazon and on another site... prices ranged from $180-$500... should I be looking elsewhere?

 

[Hellion]

prices ranged from $180-$500... should I be looking elsewhere?

Nah, get one as cheap as you can. I just don't know how to advise you because of the different engine versions. You might need to take that "Honda" engine off the frame and photograph the area and post the pics here. I found this site helpful:

Baja Reaction Replacement Go Kart Engine GY6 150cc, 175cc, 184cc

GUARANTEED FIT FOR YOUR BAJA REACTION INTERNAL REVERSE GO-KART. New GY6 150cc Internal Reverse Buggy Go-Kart Engine. This is the exact replacement engine for most Baja Reactions. For some Baja buggies you may need an adapter kit. Baja used two different internal reverse engines for the...

bdxperformance.com

GUARANTEED FIT FOR YOUR BAJA REACTION INTERNAL REVERSE GO-KART. New GY6 150cc Internal Reverse Buggy Go-Kart Engine. This is the exact replacement engine for most Baja Reactions.

For some Baja buggies you may need an adapter kit. Baja used two different internal reverse engines for the Reaction If your reverse mechanism has a part, at the top rear of the engine, that looks like the picture below you will need the Baja Reaction engine adapter kit. See installation instructions and additional information - click here.. If your engine does not have this part then all you need is the engine in this listing Call and speak to our technician if you have any questions.

 

[Denny]

There is liable to not be anything to mount the original style engine to. If going back to stock it’s going to be costly. You’ll need new wiring harness, all the boxes and relays, ignition system, fuel tank, air boxes if available and controls. God only knows what else along the way.
If you go with an industrial engine you could probably get away with 1/2 the cost, improved reliability, but no reverse.

 

[Edwin Spangler]

(and yes- that is a disco ball piñata hanging in in…. The future drivers are twin 12 year-old girls)

LOL! They want the goofiest things dont they? Mine wanted to cover EVERYTHING in pink fuzzy stuff. I thought, half the time she takes my 4 wheeler and Im stuck with the go kart. Im not having all that crap flying in my face and eyes. Not to mention, the kart looks strange enough without 50 tons of pink fuzz covering everything. Im not driving a 50mph pink fuzzball!

I suggest going the predator route. -Or is there anything wrong with the engine on it? I didnt see mention of it running or not.

 

[Hellion]

Denny is asking the right questions. I want to see what is under that wooden motor mount. Take the wood and that engine off right away. Looks like Bubba did a real hack job on that buggy with a belt pulley, industrial “water pump” engine jammed in there, etc. Doubt it ever really moved under its own power like that.

I originally wrote ”thousand dollar engine” instead of “expensive” thinking the term was excessive, but I will go back to that. Thousand dollars PLUS including all the peripherals, wiring harness, bells and whistles plus taxes and fees, et cetera.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

I think you've got enough room there for a Predator 212, a T/C and an F-N-R gearbox. That entire set-up can be had for less than the price of a GY6 and will contain exactly 1/6 of the headaches.

6.5 HP (212cc) OHV Horizontal Shaft Gas Engine, EPA

Amazing deals on this 6.5Hp (212Cc) Horiz Shaft Gas Engine at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

https://www.amazon.com/FDJ-Predator-Converter-30-Replacement/dp/B0C3H4C81M/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=4C3ARPSM94HX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.nuvniPWUoMC4MxVx6R0W9L-z4XW_pTS4a0prbuB7Xa3j5CE2AS30bkpOhUeUp5F9Ml48GbIVx3BRFr6BlA92i-gaCUpj2xDyj4B0VpJZW1SR4BH_YpV5sE55DM8QykWZ_0ltJNYBA4kqQk-7Ocm0aUpVoqjyv1V2G3JTPCynYYnXmhT18CFAfTTJr7SvKXmOTRMyP2saISBEDtIWH1cpleWQJagWcktAB4JXMrYw3os.Ga89REjzbRzO7vhsLHcvtotypGROWBP39b9M_isFpxI&dib_tag=se&keywords=torque%2Bconverter%2Bfor%2Bpredator%2B212&qid=1757507056&sprefix=torque%2Bcon%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Amazon.com

 

[jameslbarry]

Nah, get one as cheap as you can. I just don't know how to advise you because of the different engine versions. You might need to take that "Honda" engine off the frame and photograph the area and post the pics here. I found this site helpful:

Baja Reaction Replacement Go Kart Engine GY6 150cc, 175cc, 184cc

GUARANTEED FIT FOR YOUR BAJA REACTION INTERNAL REVERSE GO-KART. New GY6 150cc Internal Reverse Buggy Go-Kart Engine. This is the exact replacement engine for most Baja Reactions. For some Baja buggies you may need an adapter kit. Baja used two different internal reverse engines for the...

bdxperformance.com

That is good advice. I’ve been having the girls do every bit of work on this themselves, but this morning I made an exception and yanked the old engine off, and cut off that pulley (the hub was cracked anyway, so it made removal easy)

here are some pics:

 

[jameslbarry]

There is liable to not be anything to mount the original style engine to. If going back to stock it’s going to be costly. You’ll need new wiring harness, all the boxes and relays, ignition system, fuel tank, air boxes if available and controls. God only knows what else along the way.
If you go with an industrial engine you could probably get away with 1/2 the cost, improved reliability, but no reverse.

Good points...
Here are my thoughts:

Mounts: if you look closely at the engine compartment, there are 2 points (located above the engine) where a metal bar has been cut out. I figure this is where the original mounts were. I have some 1/4" angle iron that I was going to cut into shape and fab up some new mounts.

Wiring: It absolutely needs all new wiring. I planned on rewiring it all myself. I have all the tools , a few dozen spools of every color of wire possible, and consider my set slightly above average at electrical, having completely rewired a couple classic cars.

The other stuff: It has the original fuel tank, I planned to use that... Many engines out there come with all the other components... I thought I could use those. I assume they are not the greatest quality, but figured I they would get me started, and I could upgrade things over time as they broke, or if I wanted to boost performance.

I can appreciate the idea of a nice industrial engine... I even looked at the predator... I just really DO want reverse... this thing has a WIDE turning radius... and considering it will likely be driven by a 12 year old, having reverse will save me from constantly having to help redirect them when they get into tight spots.

 

[jameslbarry]

LOL! They want the goofiest things dont they? Mine wanted to cover EVERYTHING in pink fuzzy stuff. I thought, half the time she takes my 4 wheeler and Im stuck with the go kart. Im not having all that crap flying in my face and eyes. Not to mention, the kart looks strange enough without 50 tons of pink fuzz covering everything. Im not driving a 50mph pink fuzzball!

I suggest going the predator route. -Or is there anything wrong with the engine on it? I didnt see mention of it running or not.

They sure do! For some reason mine have a aversion to the color pink... I guess they will like what they like!

The engine that it came with did start... it ran ok-ish for the few seconds I ran it, but it is old and tired, and the pull start stopped working and the amount of work I would need to do to get it working would be so much, I'd rather just start with an engine that I knew would last.

I also like the idea of using the electric start (this was part of the factory configuration)

 

[Denny]

Looks like you are missing the mounting points for the stock engine. The gy6 style engines and electrical systems are their own special kind of hell you will be subjecting yourself to. Angle iron is subject to a lot of twisting under load. You will need to go square or round tubing in rebuilding your swing arm. Should sanity kick in and you decide to go with an industrial engine a 420 would be the smallest engine I would go with for that big heavy kart. You will need the torque.

 

[Grizzlymi]

I would skip the "original" setup and go with a 420 like Denny said. Make a motor mount, get a TQ and few other odds and ends and enjoy it with your kids. Delete all the wiring and just have a kill switch. Save money, enjoy it for what it is and look for the next project.

 

[jameslbarry]

I would skip the "original" setup and go with a 420 like Denny said. Make a motor mount, get a TQ and few other odds and ends and enjoy it with your kids. Delete all the wiring and just have a kill switch. Save money, enjoy it for what it is and look for the next project.

Thanks for your insights! What is a TQ?

 

[Hellion]

A Torque Qonverter of course!

 

[jameslbarry]

I looked at the Predator engine at harbor freight, and a lot of people seem to really like it.

Something to keep in mind is the end user of this particular project...
Regardless of how much I personally might be sold on going bigger or making something custom, this isn't for me. If this isn't fun for a 12 year old girl weighing in at 61#- it won't get used at all and will gather dust.

This kart is their 1st toy like this, so their first experience should be a positive one (and free of a few aspect that the girls would deem nuisances). If they have to use a pull-start, or if they can't put it into reverse, it won't get used. If there is a way to set up a predator engine to have both of these functions, then I'm all in! but... are those normal options for a predator engine?

 

[Edwin Spangler]

The 420s come with electric start and you can buy a forward/reverse gearbox.

I was ready to get the FNR for ours but I figured for $400, they can learn to whip it around before you cant, or yank it out themselves.

The setup is pretty common.