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specv44

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Hi guys, my name is Jon. Currently working on a little go-kart that myself and friend have been building. The sticker that is on the frame is too far gone to distinguish what it is, but you guys can probably tell from the pictures.

Anyway, got a question for ya. After some hard running yesterday, the belt started to get a bit hot and my friend said it was smoking a bit. Pulled the driven spring out this morning, and it seems to be thrown out of whack. Now that I need to replace the spring, would it be better to go with a yellow or another color spring, as opposed to the green spring?

The cart is getting ready for some BIG changes (actually later this week it should be), going with a 250 ATV front suspension/steering with a single shock/spring rear swingarm. So I was also wanting to see what you would recommend as far as gearing as well. Below is what it is currently, and what it WILL be soon.

Currently:

13hp HF blue (GX390 clone) 1" shaft
TAV2 torq-a-verter system, green spring, set on 3 I believe. 9 tooth sprocket on the converter
48-50 tooth rear sprocket (would have to count to verify)
16" rear turf saver tires
custom header pipe
governor still in tact, minus throttle stop

Changing to:

13hp HF blue (GX390 clone) 1" shaft
TAV2 torq-a-verter system, yellow spring (???), set on 3. 9 tooth sprocket.
??? tooth rear sprocket
24" ATV all terrain tires
custom header pipe
governor still in tact, minus throttle stop (IDK if I want to remove governor, works pretty well right now)

Right now we are liking the fact that it exceeds 45mph (let off due to hat flying off and the tiny steering wheel wasnt great on a sidewalk), mainly flat ground with lots of slowing down/accelerating. But with all the suspension changes coming, we are planning on taking it to the same environment that I take my 4 wheeler to, so we want to ensure it is going to haul my 120lbs buddy around in 8" deep sugar sand with no issues (and perhaps my 240lb self from time to time).

I know this is a lot of information for an initial post, but I will take as much advice as I can get. Thanks!

P.S. Yes, the seat will be changed soon lol.



 
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landuse

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Great kart. I am really digging the seat. LOL. Some realtor must hate you for swiping their signs. Do a search on the forum for suspension ideas. There are some that are being done right now. Have a look at the new post section, or use the search function. You wont be dissapointed
 

specv44

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Nope, didnt steal the signs. My buddy and I have both worked at a family owned (not our family lol) sign shop for 5 years now. We do vinyl and digital printing.

Since this is a side project, away from our car projects (he has a 1978 datsun 280Z with a 355ci small block chevy in it, and I have a 1988 Astro van on a shortened 1979 fullsize GMC 4x4 frame with a 400hp 358ci small block chevy), and I have the complete ATV frame to steal parts/mounts from, I will be documenting with pictures so we can show them off :)
 

specv44

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Thanks Landuse, hopefully it turns out as well as we hope. May start tonight, if not, definitely tomorrow after work.
 

redsox985

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Well, your belt issue may be attributed to the fact that the TAV2 is only designed to handle up to 8HP. You can get away with them on larger engines with low gearing, but this usually results in less than desirable top speed. If you're really going to go hard on this thing, you may want to consider selling your TAV2 and getting a Comet 40/44 series torque converter. These can take up to 25HP and preform VERY well and everyone that uses one loves it.
 

specv44

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ouch! lol, may have to work this one as long as I can. Any way to prolong it's life, jackshaft to change gearing perhaps?
 

specv44

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still looking for some answers to my questions. also, what gearing would prolong the life of the tav2 driven spring and belt? top speed isnt that important as it is an off road piece, it will probably never see above 40 (currently can exceed 50).
 

Odonnellp24

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Belts themselves are pretty cheap so you can replace them as they wear out. Try changing your sprocket to something like 4:1 or higher. 50+ is pretty quick. In the long term your best bet is to suck it up and pay for the heavier duty tc. Buy once, cry once.

Just saw your ratio, 9:50
Try a 72 tooth sprocket and buy som extra tires :thumbsup:
 

specv44

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would a 72 give that much more torque? Unsure how to figure final gear ratio (TV + 9 tooth sprocket + axle sprocket + tire height). Would a 72 still be able to reach 40? Really, that is all I want, to be able to top out somewhere between 35-40, no need to go faster than that lol.

and thanks Odonnell!
 

wall gator

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:iagree: GO WITH TAV 40 AND YOU;LL BE HAPPY.....BUT,SOUNDS LIKE THAT MIGHT,TAKE AWHILE? SO NOW,YOU SHOULD BE GATHERING UP THE CORRECT PARTS,,,,,THE TAV2 WILL WORK,IF YOU GO EASY ON IT,AT LEAST,YOU CAN STILL PLAY AROUND..........CHANING TO THE YELLOW SPRING??? WILL ONLY RESULT IN CHANGING YOUR DOWN SHIFTS...THE DRIVER IS RPM SENSATIVE, THE DRIVER IS TORQUE SENSATIVE:thumbsup:
 

specv44

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20 feet of 1" square tubing, 1/8" wall showed up to the shop this morning. Also brought my mig and autodarkening helmet from home (no more stick welding with a cheap helmet lol). Starting on the subframe tonight, hopefully get that done and get the front end attached as well.

started teardown last night, will take some better pictures tonight, the couple I took last night dont show much.
 

specv44

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didnt get as much done as I wanted to; wife wanted to go out to dinner, so we met up with my mom and my wife's mest friend and went out for BBQ. Got the top perimeter of the new front subframe cut and welded together, got about 75% of it welded to the frame, but then ran out of wire, will get more wire and pick back up tomorrow. For now, here are some pictures from tonight, nothing really to look at right now but hopefully tomorrow.
 

specv44

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After last night's tear-down:




Finished cutting the welds that held the floor-pan to the frame:



Little bit of frame cleanup to knock the remaining welds down flat:



Blurry, but welding the sub-frame together:



Another view, after completely welded:



It was welded with a little $100 gas-less MIG from HF. No cleanup, I dont think it looks too bad:



As it sits now, will pick up tomorrow when I get another spool of wire:

 

specv44

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Had some house issues this weekend, didnt get a chance to work on the kart until last night. Luckily Saiko was there to help me out, he is the one in the pictures. Tomorrow we will finish bracing the front, get the 24" wheels/tires on the rear and probably cut the rear of the frame off. For now, here are some pictures from last night.
 
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