New Member, New Project

[SineBoy]

Hello everyone!

My callsign is SineBoy because my main hobbies include computers and making chiptunes from Gameboy and Sega Genesis sound chips, but today I came to talk about something I've always wanted to do as a child, to build my own go kart or mini truggy.

I want to build a scaled down version of a Trophy Truck, and I've even gone to the lengths of modeling the chassis and roll frame out in Solidworks. I decided that a CBR 600rr or equivalent cc engine would suffice. I want lots of power/speed! To get the right dimensions, I took the wheelbase from Australia's Edge Piranha. (About 75 inches) and for the tires I am just going to use some regular ATV sized tire like 22 x 11 x 10" with 10 x 10 rims.

I'll start off with a question. I've seen a bunch of people on this site use VW CV axles to do the back end on their karts. Where can I get some and how much would they cost? Is there a specific VW car model that could help the salvage yard guys point me in the right direction?

I'm super excited to get this started and looking forward to some encouraging feedback as my prowess does not lie in mechanics nor technical kart lingo.

 

[OzFab]

A piranha isn't exactly a "scale" model though is it, not with a 6'3" wheelbase, which would make the overall size a little over 8'... or, is that what you're going for?

 

[fowler]

ha who told u those measurements
that 75 isnt even the width

try 2.5mt long 114in
by 1.9 wide 79in
i know that becuase i measured my 3/4 piranha

where do u get VW cvs
who on this site has used them?

go to the scrap yard and get what u can find

unless u want 40 in of travel then what ever u find will do
but if u can then target VWs
or Porsche
like the 930 range of joints
or u can google vw cv joints and buy some off the net

arnt trophy trucks solid rear Independent front?


using those tyres on that size frame is not going to give u the desirred look

if u want comparison then think the piranha has the same wheelbase as a vw golf then think about

are u trying to make a fast kart that happens to have a trophy truck shape
or are u trying to get a exact scale of a trophy truck that happens to work well

if i was u id get some wheels from a Suzuki sierra
they would look cool

 

[SineBoy]

are u trying to make a fast kart that happens to have a trophy truck shape
or are u trying to get a exact scale of a trophy truck that happens to work well

I want to build a kart that just has the shape. It doesn't have to be a scale replica of one. It can be squashed, elongated, just as long as it still has some kind of resemblance to a TT. I also realize that the tires are a bit small, but they are pretty cheap and easy to find in my area.

To get a better idea. I want to build a Polaris RZR side by side sized kart. (103 x 50 x 69" L x W x H with a 77 inch wheelbase.) The stock tire size is 25 x 8-10 x 12. The front tires on the piranha are 22" and 8" wide (pretty skinny.) but the rears are 25" and 12.5 inches wide. (details taken from site.) I want to have the same tire size all the way around so I can have a 'tire on the nerf bars look' that is actually a spare. So, I think the wheel size should be fine, but who knows that's variable anyways.

I realize now that the trucks use a solid rear axle with large trailing arms. (I thought they had diffs with CV axles.) That would be much easier for me to understand than trying to match up a CV to my hub. I've also found a site that sells solid axles that I could easily fit up my wheel hubs to for pretty cheap.

If you guys have any recommendations for places I should buy parts that would be great! And thank you guys for the feedback.

 

[fowler]

i think Tony (Edge owner) needs to update his site

but 12 inch all round should be ok

but u run skinnys on the front because on a slippery surface like clay u will get no grip

trophy truck use a solid axle driven by a drive shaft
this is important because a standard quad rear end cant articulate

so if one side lifts the otherside must also lift
useing this setup takes and chance of juming out of the question
and bent axles are something to contend with


if u wanna make a fast kart with the shape then id run CVs
or at least unis

just remembered this
http://www.wasuperlites.com/forum_2/showthread.php?tid=434&page=2

using agian
sierra parts

 

[SineBoy]

Thanks for that link!

So that's why the trophy karts always have that other wheel in the air going around the sharp corners. (No articulation.) I know that some speed bikes have shaft drives but that would be getting into either the 80's age or 1000cc range.

Well then. I'm gonna head down to my salvage yard tomorrow and see what is available there. Thanks for your suggestions fowler. I am very new to karting/motorsports and talking about mechanical things boggles me at times, but I really am looking forward to this project.