need engine / transmission recamendation

[mark ginn]

Hello all,
I have the opportunity to purchase a 32 ford fiberglass go kart body about 6 feet long. I have built several street rods over the years and thought it would be cool to do a miniature project. This kart will have all the amenities a real car would have, (lights, signals, horn, electric start etc.). It will also be a standard shift kart, keeping with the street rod feel. Now my question: I know very little about small engines with a standard transmissions, (motorcycle type). What size, type of engine would you advise me to use. This will not be a child toy, It will need to go 40-50 MPH. Thanks MARK

 

[mckutzy]

Need to find a used dirtbike or motor cycle that will fit.
If sound isnt too much of a problem, 2strokes have typically a single cylinder and are cheap. There are 4's too but more cylinders are mostly used, and are bigger typically.

What kind of body is it, a coupe, 4door, pickup?

 

[firemanjim]

Need to find a used dirtbike or motor cycle that will fit.
If sound isnt too much of a problem, 2strokes have typically a single cylinder and are cheap. There are 4's too but more cylinders are mostly used, and are bigger typically.

What kind of body is it, a coupe, 4door, pickup?

WRONG....... 2 strokes and 4 stroke atv/dirtbike motors are BOTHonly one cylinder. 2 strokes make like 30-40% more power than a 4 stroke of the same size. ....... car motors are 4 strokes also, THATS when you get more cylinders. Boat motors can alsi be 2 or 4 stroke with multiple cylinders.
To the OP, you are going to want a motor from a UTILITY style quad(4 wheeler) in the range of 200-350/360 cc with a reverse gear. Most race quads do not have reverse. With a motor that size and built in gear box, you can expect speeds closer to 60-70 mph, EASY...... and be able to do a bad @§§ burn out.......
Im currently looking for a body to make a "sleeper" kart out of...... pull up next to a camero,vette,or stang on a kart and just SMOKE THEIR HINIE and let em eat kart dust.......
If you need help setting up the motor or shifter, let me know. Ive done this before and am doing something simular now....

 

[landuse]

WRONG....... 2 strokes and 4 stroke atv/dirtbike motors are BOTHonly one cylinder. 2 strokes make like 30-40% more power than a 4 stroke of the same size. ....... car motors are 4 strokes also, THATS when you get more cylinders. Boat motors can alsi be 2 or 4 stroke with multiple cylinders.
To the OP, you are going to want a motor from a UTILITY style quad(4 wheeler) in the range of 200-350/360 cc with a reverse gear. Most race quads do not have reverse. With a motor that size and built in gear box, you can expect speeds closer to 60-70 mph, EASY...... and be able to do a bad @§§ burn out.......
Im currently looking for a body to make a "sleeper" kart out of...... pull up next to a camero,vette,or stang on a kart and just SMOKE THEIR HINIE and let em eat kart dust.......
If you need help setting up the motor or shifter, let me know. Ive done this before and am doing something simular now....

2 Strokes only really show their superiority in the higher RPM range. They are made to be revved higher than 4 strokes

 

[firemanjim]

2 Strokes only really show their superiority in the higher RPM range. They are made to be revved higher than 4 strokes

AND you get that unmistakable 2 stroke power sound...... PERSONALLY, I stick with 4 strokes for ease of maintenance. No oil to worry about or mixing,fewer rebuilds on the top end.....

 

[mckutzy]

hey just to clarify...

Originally Posted by mckutzy View Post
Need to find a used dirtbike or motor cycle that will fit.
If sound isnt too much of a problem, 2strokes have typically a single cylinder and are cheap. There are 4's too but more cylinders are mostly used, and are bigger typically.
...

The keyword is..... typically. Yes most dirt bikes and motorcycles that are 2 stroke are single cylinder, but not all of them just have one cylinder....

If the OP is resourceful and has the option, why not go for it as per the reasons you describe. I simply just wanted to mention there is many options out there.

Here is a good example, they made many of them, and in varying displacements,

 

[OzFab]

Aren't snowmobile engines multicylinder 2 stroke?