need advice on building a project

[bardo]

Hello everyone. I'm looking for some advice. I'm looking to build a go kart of sorts. I'm looking to build a frame out of 2 1/2x 2 1/2 square stock. I'm also looking to put a 4 cylinder engine and trans in it. Has anyone else tried this with any success?
Thanks in advance.
Aj

 

[OzFab]

Many have tried, many have succeeded, most using roadbike engine/trans; what is the engine from?

 

[bardo]

It's a 2.5 liter Turbocharged 4 out of a 89 dodge caravan. I have a 3 speed auto and a 5 speed manual.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Please fill out your profile so we know where to send the wreaths...

 

[Cbreiter]

With that engine, particularly with it being turbo'd you will need to look at having some factory wiring from the van, as well as the computer to manage the turbo, and the efi on it. If you want a cheap motor that will run without all that, get a chevy 305 v-8, lots of guys toss em for 350's.

 

[OzFab]

It's a 2.5 liter Turbocharged 4 out of a 89 dodge caravan. I have a 3 speed auto and a 5 speed manual.

I hope you know what you're doing & have a few thousand dollars to throw at it; if it's not built exactly correct, it'll be an accident waiting to happen

 

[Datsun]

Considering how old it is it could be a blow through carb set up? If you're serious about this project I'd be googling vw buggys and such.. I agree with Fabroman, if you're going to build something with an engine that size, I hope you have a lot of money.

 

[bardo]

I don't understand why you would think I need a lot om money for this project. I have everything from the van engine, trans, harness ecu, K - frame and axles. This was the last thing i put that same type of motor in. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjslyBNDszI&feature=youtube_gdata_player I have a plan just need to make sure I'm using the right materials for building the frame.

 

[bardo]

From what I can see the steel stock will be the most expensive part. The rear end parts will be from a 90 dodge omni because it's is a bit narrower. (67 inches wide compared to 72) for ease of use, adjustable and to keep cost down was thinking of building a arms with heim joints for the front. For the rear building the frame to accept the omni K - frame. It bolts to the car with 4 grade 8 bolts so just build the frame to line up with it. Use the factory hubs, struts, and a arms as well. This will give me caster and camber options for the rear and over all 4 wheel independent suspension.

 

[Scout]

I don't understand why you would think I need a lot om money for this project. I have everything from the van engine, trans, harness ecu, K - frame and axles. This was the last thing i put that same type of motor in. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjslyBNDszI&feature=youtube_gdata_player I have a plan just need to make sure I'm using the right materials for building the frame.

Steel, heims, steering linkage, shift linkage, all that isn't exactly cheap if you want to have a nice looking well engineered kart rather than a cobbled together machine. What wheels and tires are you using? What's the layout, front or rear engine? What fuel tank are you using? What is your wheelbase? Sounds like it's either going to be a wheelie machine or a burnout machine.

 

[jandj]

Or a death machine...

 

[bardo]

Steel, heims, steering linkage, shift linkage, all that isn't exactly cheap if you want to have a nice looking well engineered kart rather than a cobbled together machine. What wheels and tires are you using? What's the layout, front or rear engine? What fuel tank are you using? What is your wheelbase? Sounds like it's either going to be a wheelie machine or a burnout machine.

Most parts will come from mid 80's to early 90 s dodge. Don't care to much about the looks being it's not a show car it's a toy. I'm most likely going to run a 5x100 bolt pattern 14x6/7 inch rim with 225s at all 4 corners. Not sure of the length yet but I'm thinking 67 wide in the back and 60 up front. Rear engine and trans if I do it right the factory shift linkage can be reused. Most likely going to need a fuel cell. I need to see how much room the engine a d trans take up after I build the rear end then add about 3 inches for where the back of the seat will be then once I sit in it find out where my feet end up. I would like my heels sitting in the center of the front wheel. Now that I have answered most of the questions can someone please tell me if 2.5x2.5 .120 will work for the frame or should I go with 1 3/4 .120 round stock?

 

[bardo]

Looking to build something along the lines of this http://youtu.be/dwtxZMnjhTo

 

[Poboy kartman]

Your going to need the heaviest steel you can handle. Look to small pick-up frames as a guide. The wheelbase is backwards unless you plan on using it in wide open spaces. Offroad buggies are built with a wider front wheelbase than rear- that way in tight spaces you know you have room for the rear.

 

[bardo]

Not looking to take it off road. Looking for a on road only kart. Just out of curiosity how much power do you guys think thing is going to put out?

 

[exenos]

You know more about that engine that we would.

 

[bardo]

I understand that. It just seems to me like everyone thinks this is a 300 hp monster and it's not. Stock it made 150 hp 180tq at around 3500 rpm. People are saying use a truck frame for it and I don't think that will be necessary.

 

[OzFab]

That's still a lot of power when you consider most of us are used to 5% of that in our toys...

 

[bardo]

Ok so that's it? To much hp and speed so don't bother us with the questions? it's nothing we are use to dealing with and have no info on the matter?

 

[machinist@large]

Ok so that's it? To much hp and speed so don't bother us with the questions? it's nothing we are use to dealing with and have no info on the matter?

Personally, I like the idea, it's just that I've seen/ had enough go south/ blow up in my face that I refuse to endorse any plan without more detailed information. And yes, the HP/ powerplant is rather outside of what most of the members on the forum have experience with. If you were do a survey for the average size engine used by the membership for their projects, the mean average will bracket the 6.5 to 7.0 HP range.

If you are wondering about the whole "You need structure" thing, it's because we've had posters seriously injure themselves using engines making less than 10% of the stock rating of your planned unit.

Speaking for myself, I've seen units that were well thought out, and worked well. Due to life getting in the way, though, I haven't built one myself.

OK; a quick question for you; if I've never actually built one, how should I answer your questions. Honesty? Or blowhard #1?