Mechanical Brakes, not enough to stop me

[JaySweenor]

Hello,
I just put a 18hp engine in my single seat go kart. It weighs 75lbs and the mounting set-up needed to hook it up is another 35lbs. Im 250, so i know weight is the issue. It has the typical manco mechanical now. Can anybody suggest a set-up to stop this thing? Will go kart hydraulics be enough? Thanks!

 

[Kartorbust]

Single hydraulic brake should be enough, get the largest rotor you can physically fit on it. If that isn't enough, try to get front hubs so you can add brakes to the front.

 

[anickode]

Stomp harder!

I assume it's just an issue of not having enough braking torque, and not that you're locking them up and sliding, right?

If you just need more stopping torque, yes, a single caliper and as big a disc as you can find.

If that results in sliding, you'll need to add front brakes as well.

 

[Functional Artist]

Hello,
I just put a 18hp engine in my single seat go kart. It weighs 75lbs and the mounting set-up needed to hook it up is another 35lbs. Im 250, so i know weight is the issue. It has the typical manco mechanical now. Can anybody suggest a set-up to stop this thing? Will go kart hydraulics be enough? Thanks!

What kind of condition is your original brake band & drum in?

It was designed to provide a lot of stopping power for that size kart.

Maybe just knockin' the glaze off the drum (too smooth, rough it up a bit)
or even a fresh brake band may help

 

[JaySweenor]

Stomp harder!

I assume it's just an issue of not having enough braking torque, and not that you're locking them up and sliding, right?

If you just need more stopping torque, yes, a single caliper and as big a disc as you can find.

If that results in sliding, you'll need to add front brakes as well.

Correct, it will not lock up. I even welded up a brake pedal you can stand on, no change. When you say big, do you mean diameter?

---------- Post added at 05:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:28 PM ----------

What kind of condition is your original brake band & drum in?

It was designed to provide a lot of stopping power for that size kart.

Maybe just knockin' the glaze off the drum (too smooth, rough it up a bit)
or even a fresh brake band may help

It's a mechanical caliper, I replaced the pads. the disk is straight, maybe glazed. I'll take a grinder to it and hopefully get some stops out of it. Maybe take the caliper apart and make sure its function right..thank you

 

[anickode]

Bigger disc = more braking torque from the same caliper. You might not have to upgrade to hydraulics if you can retrofit it for a bigger disc, which basically just consists of moving the caliper faurther away from the axle.

Try some new pads too.