New member, Antics Garage Busta Lime build with son.

[ianrobb]

For those curious, here's a better shot of the "big" go kart.

Mostly Miata parts(wheels, spindles/brakes, steering rack, transmission), 86 RX-7 differential. Will be powered by a 2.5L Ford Duratec 4 cylinder. 1,300Lb goal weight.

 

[Sparkwizard]

7 degrees caster, zero camber and near zero toe will work on a flat frame kart. (no suspension)

 

[Edwin Spangler]

Well thats just a naked car...

 

[Sparkwizard]

My spidey senses are tingling while looking at the thin-wall square tubing near the upper control arm mounts and around the driver's seat.

Not for street use in the US, correct?

 

[ianrobb]

My spidey senses are tingling while looking at the thin-wall square tubing near the upper control arm mounts and around the driver's seat.

Not for street use in the US, correct?

I will likely gusset some areas near the control arms, not sure what you're worried about around the driver's seat. The car will have a "body", and yes, this will be street legal in the US.

If you're concerned with safety, these are not "safe" cars. There is very little protection from other vehicles.

 

[Denny]

The same rules that apply to go-karts apply to cars.

 

[Sparkwizard]

The same rules that apply to go-karts apply to cars.

As a NC state certified safety inspector, I must respectfully disagree with you. The thinwall tubing would not fly in this state.

 

[ianrobb]

I'm curious what you consider thin wall? Both the car, and the kart are made with 16ga 1x1" steel tube. That size tube is very common for lightweight kit car frames.

 

[Sparkwizard]

I consider 16 gauge frame to be WAY too thin for street use. I use 12 gauge minimum for gokart/minibike use. Most road legal frames are 1/4 inch or thereabouts.
Exhaust pipe is 14 gauge. 16 gauge is thinner than quality exhaust pipe. You asked, I answered.
That is my opinion. others may disagree.

 

[Denny]

1/4 inch is way too thick for a frame for a car. 1/8” would be more accurate for a car. And let’s quit beating up on the poor guy. Ianrobb you or your son please start a build thread for the kart. I for one would like see this kart completed. We are a kid friendly site. Wouldn’t mind seeing the locost completed.

Thank you for your support!

 

[ianrobb]

I appreciate your input. I used materials based on the results of other who have build the same frame/chassis. Most only recommend heavier wall tubing if planning on high hp, or heavy v8 engines. I agree that 16ga would be very thin for a lot of vehicles, but the expected weight of 1300lbs puts a lot less stress on the overall structure than a vehicle weighing twice as much, such as a stock Miata. Other countries such as Australia and the UK have strict guidelines about the structure and don't have an issue with the selected tubing. Australia simply required adding a few tubes in some areas to increase stiffness. I appreciate your concern, but this is actually a proven design.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

I consider 16 gauge frame to be WAY too thin for street use. I use 12 gauge minimum for gokart/minibike use. Most road legal frames are 1/4 inch or thereabouts.
Exhaust pipe is 14 gauge. 16 gauge is thinner than quality exhaust pipe. You asked, I answered.
That is my opinion. others may disagree.

The front half of a Top Fuel dragster is made from .060 wall tube.



Just saying

 

[Master Hack]

The front half of a Top Fuel dragster is made from .060 wall tube.

Safe bet it’s not HREW…

 

[ianrobb]

I think the application matters. If I was building a ladder frame, 16ga wouldn't cut it. This is a semi-spaceframe, where the strength is made up of interconnected triangulated tubes. I could have gone to 14ga, which would have only added 20-30lbs, but 16ga is pretty standard for a simple, lightweight build. These cars are tracked pretty frequently, without major issues. The structure on my car is also not complete, quite a few more tubes to add after I install the engine, and some other major components. Overbuilding is fine, but not necessary.