Greetings All!

[Curiousgeorge206]

As a first timer, I would like to say hello to everyone, and looking forward to reading and hearing a lot of great ideas of Go-carts. I have 2 boys 9 & 12 years old who are set on building a go-cart and boy am I glad that I found this site and forum!

I hope I don't sound too stupid when I'm asking questions but there seems a lot to read and decipher! When the boys wanted to build a gas powered engine to propel their go cart, I figured on getting a 3-5 hp lawn mower engine! But after reading the comments about the horizontal and vertical engines, I would probably like to go the route of an electric engine! I've downloaded Kibble's instructions on converting a starter to the engine and looks like I will have to pick your brains on mounting, propelling, etc. with this type engine, as well as how the battery is connected, charged, etc.

So, sorry to sound long winded, but that's my intro!

I live in the west coast of Canada and my boys are ready to start!

 

[RobertD]

welcome!!!

 

[fluxcored]

Hi, I'm very interested to hear how your project turns out.

 

[kibble]

Welcome! Yes, I'm quite interested in hearing how it turns out as well.

 

[Curiousgeorge206]

As I have been procrastinating for the last couple of weeks, my boys have been asking me on the cart situation! So I've downloaded some plans from the site and am looking at whether gas or electric? Is it me that I can't find out much about electric or is it too new that everyone is doing their own thing to make it work? I was looking at a gas lawn mower engine but it seems like a lot to modify the engine? What's the easiest way to go? Before I make my decision! Thanks for everyones help and comments!

 

[Russ2251]

I cannot help you with electric stuff.
For my money, gasoline is the way to go.
Modifying engines is not necessary to get you going.
Engines to look at would have a horizontal straight keyed shaft with internal threads. They can be found on small tillers, edgers, pumps, snowblowers....you get the idea. Rotary mowers are the ones to stay away from as they are very difficult to make 'kartable', but can be done.
Anything from 3 to 6.5 horsepower will do well, depending on finished weight of kart and how fast you want to go.
Modifying is done by most folks who aren't happy with what their engines were originaly designed to produce.
2 popular engines to look at are Honda clones at 6.5 hp and Briggs & Stratton at 5 hp.
Ebay is a good jumping off point.
My 2¢.

 

[kibble]

am looking at whether gas or electric? Is it me that I can't find out much about electric or is it too new that everyone is doing their own thing to make it work?

Electrical requires more knowledge about batteries and electronic controllers. Batteries are heavy and electric motors are $$$. It would be nice to make an e-kart for the cool factor, but pound for pound and $ for $, making a gas-kart is usually easier/cheaper/lighter.

 

[newrider3]

And plus, you can't BRAAAP an electric motor.

 

[kibble]

Sure you can, just attach a paddle like device to the output and use a baseball card!

 

[Curiousgeorge206]

Moving Forward!

Well, just acquired a 3hp B&S in-line engine! So, how fast can I ramp this engine up? Or is it too small for my boys, (9 & 12 years). Next, it looks like I'll be getting either round or square tube for the frame!

I'll need to put more time in as my boys are getting quite anxious!