New to go karts

[Almost right]

Ok I know there's probably a million posts all asking similar or the exact same questions. And I do plan to dig through the site and find a such info as I can as I go but I have some questions I need answered.
So to start some buddies and I have recently purchased the plans kit from spider karts and are already figuring out how to modify the karts we want to our wants and needs.
I have been confused as far as motors go what's the sizes I should be looking at? Iv been thinking about doing the predator 420 for the electric start and just the power but am unsure if I'm over powering the cart. And looking around on the internet I see alot of rack and pinion kits that state for 150-250cc karts. Can those be used or are those just going to break all the time? I plan to build the kart for off road use so components will be taking a beating. Do they make steering components axles and spindles that are beefier for larger motor builds? Should I possibly start looking at atv/utv components? I'm sure I have a ton of questions coming but I'll start here. Thanks ahead of time for any and all advice you all give me.

 

[redflash]

I'm just finishing a spider kart arachnid....A these karts are designed to fit a youngster, and almost fit an adult. Most ( including me) guys extend the frame at least 10 inches above the plans.
B those chinese rack and pinions tend to break often.... You want a rack and pinion off of a sand rail or mini dragster. I bought mine, an 11 inch sandrail model from "NexGen" for under $100.00.
The large motor isn't so much the consideration as is speed(with a torque converter even a predator 212 can be fast)...the roughness of the terrain,
and the skill of the driver.. and supension including shock absorbers. If you look carefully at the chinese buggies , you'll see that the components are not heavyweight by any means.
The electric starter is a nice feature, but you can always put a starter on a predator 212 later if you like.....

What model spyder kart are your plans......by the way I've taken my time to build the arachnid. I didn't want to spend all the money at once and get divorced....so tire and other components came from craigslist, BMI, gopowersports, and others...I've got about $1,200.00 into mine!

 

[Almost right]

I'm building the granddaddy planned on stretching it just a little already after reading on this site that others had done the same to accommodate us big kids. I had some ideas of modification to lift the kart a little and I imagine it riding on some larger tires more like atv sizes. I think ill steer clear of the smaller sized items then and keep an eye out for some deals along the way.

 

[redflash]

i've got 20 inch rear tires and 18" front....#30 torque converter with 72 tooth axle sprocket. double a arm suspension in front, and full shocked swing in rear on the arachnid I'm 6 foot even and 205 lbs, running a #41chain.

 

[Almost right]

Did it require larger rear axle shaft and spindles to run a larger tire? I'm just trying to figure out the best way to build so I don't regret not going bigger on the first day I get to take it out. I definitely plan to play in this thing as much if not more than my kids. Amd being in Colorado I want to take it camping and be able to run aroumd in the hills.

 

[madprofessor]

Camping? Think about transportation, loading, and unloading. Probably can't stretch it too far (beyond the plans), as long as seat is adjustable. Go long now, no regrets later. Remember fitting it for transport.
Spiderkarts says the Granddaddy calls for 18" tires already, I sure wouldn't go any bigger than that. Acceleration and torque are greatly lessened by larger tires. Also calls for aluminum axle and components, don't know why. I'm a 1" solid steel axle on pillow block bearings kind of guy. For offroad use put on more than just 2 bearings out at the wheels, add 1 in the middle for surety.
They do say with the 1.25" @ 14ga. frame it can take any motor, like the 420cc. The electric start would be a huge advantage for you, and after the cost of adding electric to a 212cc and a torque converter (CVT) for it to get enough power, the total cost approaches getting a 420cc in the first place outright.
One thing you'll miss at some point if offroad, having a reverse gear. Backing a heavy kart out of a bumpy sandy place will teach you that.

 

[Almost right]

Camping? Think about transportation, loading, and unloading. Probably can't stretch it too far (beyond the plans), as long as seat is adjustable. Go long now, no regrets later. Remember fitting it for transport.
Spiderkarts says the Granddaddy calls for 18" tires already, I sure wouldn't go any bigger than that. Acceleration and torque are greatly lessened by larger tires. Also calls for aluminum axle and components, don't know why. I'm a 1" solid steel axle on pillow block bearings kind of guy. For offroad use put on more than just 2 bearings out at the wheels, add 1 in the middle for surety.
They do say with the 1.25" @ 14ga. frame it can take any motor, like the 420cc. The electric start would be a huge advantage for you, and after the cost of adding electric to a 212cc and a torque converter (CVT) for it to get enough power, the total cost approaches getting a 420cc in the first place outright.
One thing you'll miss at some point if offroad, having a reverse gear. Backing a heavy kart out of a bumpy sandy place will teach you that.

I already own a trailer which should carry it just fine. Iv been thinking about the reverse as well and just seen a reverse gear attachment? I'm sure a few hundred more for it of course lol amd not even sure if it was for the 420cc. But iv been pleasantly surprised with the amount of aftermarket parts available for those motors so far. I actually hadn't seen the wheel size in the blue prints I have skimmed them on phone but need to print them. For the stretch I didn't think I'd need more than about 8" added but I could be wrong. I'll have to do some drawings on the floor and see if I fit in roughly that size. Iv had a ton of different ideas about frame and cage changes so far so the prints fore will be a great starting off point and I'll see how close I stay to everything.

 

[Denny]

For the Granddaddy the 420 is a wise choice. So would a 40 or 44 series cvt. 22X11X8 tires are the most common rear tire sizes and most reasonably priced. A one inch axle should be plenty just keep the bearings as far outboard as possible. Using 4x4 hubs as opposed to atv hubs will keep rims affordable. Great choice on buggy by the way.

 

[Karttekk]

It's great you're looking into building a kart. There's no limit on what you can do. Maybe consider buying a buggy style kart that's already "heavy duty off road equipped." Many advantages; higher off the ground, built in electrical system with headlights, reverse gearbox, rack & pinion steering, fits in your trailer. This way you can get out there and see if this is really what you want to do and once you're hooked you'll know more about it and what you want.

Facebook

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Something like this used.

GTS 150™ - Hammerhead Off-Road

The Hammerhead GTS 150 is consistently the nation’s best-selling 150cc go kart as it has more standard features than any of our competitors. The GTS 150’s most impressive features include individual adjustable bucket seat, 5-point seatbelts, unique body-styling with wrap-around side panels, an...

www.hammerheadoffroad.com

 

[Almost right]

For the Granddaddy the 420 is a wise choice. So would a 40 or 44 series cvt. 22X11X8 tires are the most common rear tire sizes and most reasonably priced. A one inch axle should be plenty just keep the bearings as far outboard as possible. Using 4x4 hubs as opposed to atv hubs will keep rims affordable. Great choice on buggy by the way.

Thanks I liked the size and the fact two older kids could ride together and my youngest with me. I hadn't even thought about a 4x4 hub so thank you

 

[Almost right]

It's great you're looking into building a kart. There's no limit on what you can do. Maybe consider buying a buggy style kart that's already "heavy duty off road equipped." Many advantages; higher off the ground, built in electrical system with headlights, reverse gearbox, rack & pinion steering, fits in your trailer. This way you can get out there and see if this is really what you want to do and once you're hooked you'll know more about it and what you want.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

Something like this used.

GTS 150™ - Hammerhead Off-Road

The Hammerhead GTS 150 is consistently the nation’s best-selling 150cc go kart as it has more standard features than any of our competitors. The GTS 150’s most impressive features include individual adjustable bucket seat, 5-point seatbelts, unique body-styling with wrap-around side panels, an...

www.hammerheadoffroad.com

So kids and I have been on atvs and dirt bikes for awhile love getting out there for me the build is the biggest draw I love fabricating. If I understood correctly using the 420 with its electric start should meam that motor has a charging system already soy thoughts were to upgrade the battery and be able to run lights that way. Not sure if it's possible but I'm sure if it is someone somewhere has done it amd hopefully has a write up or a video for it. Your the second person to mention reverse and it really has me thinking about it. But like I said earlier I thought I saw an add on for a reverse gear not sure if it was engine specific or not but maybe they have that option available for the 420

 

[Karttekk]

I put together an electric start setup on a kart I refurbished and sold a few months ago. Picked up this Carrol Stream engine, built a battery box out of sheet metal and attached it to the frame, installed this battery added fused, LED headlights. Put a push button kill switch on it also. The engine has charge coils built in.

 

[Denny]

There is only one style fnr box that I know will live up to a high torque engine. That is the Jeffco/RPM style box. Unfortunately they are about $3,000.00.