Metal Shop Kart Pair

[BaselessEarth12]

Hello, all! This is my first post on the forum. A friend and I are planning on building an offroad go kart or two in our metals class. We know what we want, but our budget is small, at less than $350 for everything. We were thinking of fully independant suspension, but I'm thinking a swingarm rear, or full rigid is the way to go. Any thoughts on this? We also want to use a motor between 110 and 400cc with a CVT or two-speed.

 

[ML-TOYS]

Welcome, if you planon building a kart or 2 like what is described with then double your budget and then some.

 

[itsid]

350 for two? or each?

an offroad kart is basically nearly impossible to build for that kind of money,
a yard kart is much closer... road kart nearly doable.

think about that:
the cheapest new clone for you would be a 212 predator ($99)
the cheapest new clone TC (the cvt) would be off of ebay (~$150 bulletlines IIRC)
that's 250 already.. add a set of tractor wheels and your out of budget.

Soo.. even cheaper 150cc GY6 engine (should be available for ~$200)
(and it comes with a cvt)
a set of wheels.. and you're left with 50;
you need a seat, steering wheel, spindles, and the budget is gone ...

So you will have to rely on used parts!
I have no idea what's available for you at what prices.
take a look at craigslist to see what's available;
but it will be difficult to get it done for that amount of money to say the least.
maybe you can find a donor kart (or two) for ~100 each if you're lucky with an engine and if you're very lucky with a TC (~150).. TLC and you only need to care about how to make a frame.

good luck!

'sid

 

[landuse]

Welcome to the forum. I agree with the others, but never say never....

If you source parts wisely, you could come in under budget. Look at scrap yards etc fot some scores

 

[BaselessEarth12]

It would be for both carts. I already know where I can get a couple of seats, MAYBE some basic suspension components (arms, spindles, etc.), and possibly an engine/tranny combo... If all else fails on building the frame itself, then we may just end up building a full-on buggy by taking a small truck (s10, ranger, tracker/sidekick), taking the body off and building a cage for it.

 

[itsid]

350 for two karts...
I see no way in achieving that I'm afraid

All I can do is wish you the best of luck.

'sid

 

[OzFab]

$350 for two karts & now you're talking about suspension? Not gonna happen! One rigid kart on that budget is pushing it...

Excluding the frame, my kart still cost around $300-$400 & just about everything was used of free...

 

[fowler]

The cut down truck moght be better if u can get one

Offtern thought putting a subaru impreza on a drastic diet and usung the money from tbe old interior and other bits to get bigger tyres and your set

 

[OzFab]

My buddy implanted the idea in my head a few years ago about modding a small front wheel drive car into a buggy by reversing it. ie: lock the front wheels in place & put steering on the rear wheels (which then become the front wheels), remove the body, reinforce with a tube cage... & a bit more work...

 

[ML-TOYS]

I dont this would be good since it may not last long running in reverse all the time.

My buddy implanted the idea in my head a few years ago about modding a small front wheel drive car into a buggy by reversing it. ie: lock the front wheels in place & put steering on the rear wheels (which then become the front wheels), remove the body, reinforce with a tube cage... & a bit more work...

 

[exenos]

I dont this would be good since it may not last long running in reverse all the time.

No different than running in first all the time. As long as you didnt just put your foot down and let it bounce off of the rev limiter all the time it should be fine. And anyways, its not like you need it to last 50,000km+, just a few thousand, or more realistically a few hundred before you break something not related to the drive train.

 

[fowler]

Reverse is oftern a weak gear
It isnt made to take load
Common problem in 4x4s snatching in reverse and the idler gear like
Bang "hello im external now"



Flip the diff
If possible
Would be easier to get rear wheel drive car

 

[BaselessEarth12]

Well, budget has more than trippled (shop teacher said he'd pitch in if he could drive it)! So, now I have a few questions about actually building it:

1. Is it easier to build or buy suspension components (arms, swing arm, etc.)? And is it the same in regards to the frame?

2. Carbeurated or Fuel Injected (which is more reliable)?

3. What would be the best engine size/type (atv, snowmobile, bike, etc.)?

4. Swing arm, independant, or rigid rear?

5. Rack + Pinion, or direct steering?

6. Chain or shaft drive? Solid axle or a diff unit?

7. Mechanical or hydraulic brakes?

Then for tires, turf, mud, or dirt tires? The kart would mostly be seeing dirt-duty, but with the occasional stint on pavement, and runs out on the lake/snowmobile trails in the winter.

 

[firemanjim]

Solid live axle.....
Knobby tires......
Fuel injection, not on your budget. Stick to a 6-8hp engine and a torque converter.
You can build a swing arm rear end fairly simple,easy, fairly cheap. YOU can..... IM telling you that you can.... So don't think you can't!
15"-18" tires..... (but you GOT to have a TC for the fun factor. A jackshaft will only get you power and slow top end... )
I'll think of more later.....

 

[OzFab]

I dont this would be good since it may not last long running in reverse all the time.

In all the years since we discussed it, I can't believe I never thought of that

1. Is it easier to build or buy suspension components (arms, swing arm, etc.)? And is it the same in regards to the frame?

Build... as long as you know what you're doing...

At ~$50 each, that's $200 per kart...

2. Carbeurated or Fuel Injected (which is more reliable)?

Stick with carb, little to no wiring involved...

3. What would be the best engine size/type (atv, snowmobile, bike, etc.)?

That's relative to the size/weight of the finished product; keep your eye on craigslist & local junkyards for cheap running ATV or dirtbike 4 stroke engines...

4. Swing arm, independant, or rigid rear?

IMO, swingarm; rigid will give a rough ride & independent can get expensive...

5. Rack + Pinion, or direct steering?

Direct is cheaper... Take from that what you will...

6. Chain or shaft drive? Solid axle or a diff unit?

Chain is simpler, which translates to cheaper...

Solid axle will give more traction but, steering needs to be 110%

7. Mechanical or hydraulic brakes?

These days, prices are comparable so, go with hydraulic...

Then for tires, turf, mud, or dirt tires? The kart would mostly be seeing dirt-duty, but with the occasional stint on pavement, and runs out on the lake/snowmobile trails in the winter.

Big fat balloon tyres! They may be a little more expensive but, they can go anywhere & will aid suspension...

You have some grandiose ideas, which usually cost much more than the low spec, low budget equivelant, without the budget to back them up; the best advice I can give you is KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)

 

[Poboy kartman]

Well. ....here's the way I see it......build the simplest, cheapest fixed fram gokart first. .......

Then take the remaining budget and build the best thing you can. ....

Then you will be able to compare the difference between the two. ...which means you will be actually learning something. ....isn't that the point? ??

 

[fowler]

go find a small quad
itll give u all the suspension components and the engine
along with brakes and tyres

my first buggy consisted of a seized quad and a two wheeled motorbike
was the cheapest option

 

[BaselessEarth12]

A few more questions about the kart, then I will actually start the design process.

1. Swingarm mounted engine, or frame mounted?

2. CVT, manual, direct drive, or semi-automatic?

3. Steering wheel or handle bars?

4. Ski attachment for winter (have 2 junk skis off an old snowmobile, complete with springs and shocks) a good idea?

5. Car seat, poly seat, professional-grade racing seat, or hand built plywood bench?

6. Lights or no lights?

7. (Assuming budget allows): Cargo rack and/or light-duty trailer hitch?

 

[fowler]

1 Frame mounted swing arm with Jack shaft pivot

2 Cvt drive

3 Steering what ever u can junk off car or sled

4 U can put skis on but get it rolling first
Any good engines in the sleds?

5 Again what ever u can scrap
Talk to the maintenebce guys or who ever at school and get a broken chair
I used a swivel chair

6 what ever u can junk
And if u have an e start engine itll be better

7 see 4

 

[BaselessEarth12]

Skis are on their own, no sled attatched... BUT! I DO now have a chassis AND 370cc snowmobile engine that runs! All I need to do is get the suspension on it, and I ordered some "Arachnid" plans for that.