Its to dang slow

[Lonmarg]

Hello, so I built a large off-road type go cart from scratch with my grandfather a good four years or so back. I dont know exactly how much it weighs but it takes two people to lift it and you arnt going far lol. I think the tires are something like 22" on the rear and 20" on the front so pretty large. Definately bigger then they need to be but I think they look sweet.

I put a Torque-A-Verter in it but to be honest I cannot remember any specs on it. I think it was between $150-$170 but not positive. I have been at college for awhile and havnt been able to ride it at all for a couple years.

The problem with it is it never went very fast. I could take off with great power on steep hills even with its heavy weight. I have never actually figured out its top speed on flat ground but I dont think it goes faster then 10-15 MPH which is really just sad. I usually only rode it through whindy back trails so wasnt like I needed to go much faster but I really want to take it to some Dunes. Which I need to be able to go much faster for dunes and I want to be able to go much faster in general.

I have a 8 horse Tecumsuh engine which I bought brand new. I have seen 5 horse engines go WAY faster then my kart and am really just clueless as to why this is. I dont have a great understanding of the mechanics behind these things but I think I know generally how it works. Its really just gravity forcing the thing to squish the belt in turn turning the wheels. But mine just doesnt turn fast enough or something heh. Any ideas anyone? I was hoping I get work on it over the summer and be able to take it to the Dunes.

 

[Angermgt]

Just a guess but the Verter is for the torque not the top end. The clutch gives you a 1 to 1. Just a thought..

 

[crazycart]

A torque converter IS for top end.You just need to understand how they work.There are throwout weights in the primary clutch that when the engine is at a certain RPM they "throw out" and push against the sheave of the clutch which in turn closes onto the belt.When the belt is closed on by the primary getting tighter the secondary clutch opens changing the gearing.Your problem is you probably have to much weight for the 8hp.I would HIGHLY recommend a motorcycle engine or the like.I dont think an 8hp will do you much good at the dunes unless it is highly modified so it can turn some high rpm's.Those are also pretty large tires to turn with a stock 8 horse.Hope this helps...

 

[jr dragster T]

What's your gearing? ( size of sprockets front and rear)

 

[2or3wheels]

yeah could just be the gearing count the teeth,

 

[gocartkid]

with all of the above.

 

[Lonmarg]

Hmm well that will suck if my 8 horse just isnt strong enough lets hope thats not true heh. As for the number of teeth on my sprocket I am unsure. I havnt gotten to ride it in some time. What would be a good size sprocket to get? Is it small sprockets have more power from a stop but slower speeds in the end, and bigger ones have low power when trying to start out but high speed?

 

[2or3wheels]

the smaller you have on the drive size/ opn TC will give you power, the bigger on the wheel side will give you more power, im going to guess you have at least a 72 tooth sproket on wheel and 10 on TC, but i bet you have a jackshaft.

 

[I like karts]

I have a 8 horse Tecumsuh engine which I bought brand new. I have seen 5 horse engines go WAY faster then my kart and am really just clueless as to why this is.

Remember, horsepower doesnt dictate speed, more horsepower just helps you get up to speed quicker.

(Oh and the reason you see them going faster is that lots of people mod them to turn like 6000 RPMs while stock engines turn 3600.)