opinions on AWD go kart

[bighead]

I just had a closer look at these pics- It's a beast for sure, and really pretty. But I'll bet my next paycheque it handles like he//. I don't see a front diff, and just LOOK at that scrub radius!!! There's gotta be 6-8" between the kingpin and tire centrelines!

Would there be another pivit or king pin closer to the tire? (not in pics). It looks like it would turn closer to the wheel. And not at the kingpin spot???

I cannot see a tie rod turning that large bracket.

That said who knows? I am the wrong person when it come to steering.

How do they make the SAE Karts front wheel drive?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

No-it's gotta pivot at that kingpin- that's where the U-joint is.
It CAN be done, but requires a diff in front.
Have you got any more info on that last pic you posted?

 

[honda-gx-power]

Looks decent and i think with 2 gx390 engines in that and we would be talking.
Try find a website that actually sells them and i will buy one at the end of next month if it cost £1000 to my front door, £1000 is all i would have spare, i will take it to a local track and tell you what there like, going to look now try find the site but will you try aswell. Thanks

 

[Doc Sprocket]

The picture's marked "AGK" which is Affordable Go Karts.

 

[slideways]

Just grazing through this a little.. if you were to use 2 motors you would want to rig the throttle on the front one to not open up as much as the rear one in sync. The key to AWD is NOT having power transmit the same to the front and rear tires. Most cars use a 60/40 power distribution for the reasons mentioned above so you don't get the snap steer up front.

I suppose this could also be achieved somewhat by using 2 clutches with one at a slightly higher stall speed.. but not as well as my first suggestion.

 

[honda-gx-power]

Cant find there site tho bud.And do you think i could buy one with £1000 then yeah?
Also what country they coming from?ha

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Just grazing through this a little.. if you were to use 2 motors you would want to rig the throttle on the front one to not open up as much as the rear one in sync. The key to AWD is NOT having power transmit the same to the front and rear tires. Most cars use a 60/40 power distribution for the reasons mentioned above so you don't get the snap steer up front.

I suppose this could also be achieved somewhat by using 2 clutches with one at a slightly higher stall speed.. but not as well as my first suggestion.

Wouldn't that create some sort of parasitic drag? If one engine's getting less throttle than the other, wouldn't that, A)Bog down the engine with more throttle, and B) Cause the engine with less throttle to go lean because it's being forced to spin faster than the carb will supply? Just thinking out loud here.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Cant find there site tho bud.And do you think i could buy one with £1000 then yeah?
Also what country they coming from?ha

EDIT- Here's the page link- http://www.affordablegokarts.com/RaceKartsProjectKarts&More.php

Don't think they sell them, though, just a pic of a freaky build.

 

[honda-gx-power]

yeah just been on that link bud.I thought they was for sale.
Decent builds in all them pics tho

 

[slideways]

True.. in a car its alot more complicated to achieve that but AWD cars get terrible mileage compared to a "disconnectable" setup like a true RWD-
>4x4 usually does.

 

[bighead]

Not sure if I came acrros right. I was thinking two front engines. with 2 front half axles on pillow block bearing or the like. No rear engine. This would let you power both front wheels without a differential. Have two gas pedels. When you go into a left turn you could hammer the right engines throttle pedal. Also could fab some cool looking side pipes. You can also move the seat way back for lots of room now.

Like the AGK Kart above. But put another engine on the other wheel and split the axle.

Okay slap me if you must. LOL

I tried searching the net for info on the AGK's AWD Kart. I think he sold it on Ebay. The forum thread I was reading was older so the ebay link was dead. Not sure what it sold for. Besides that I could not find anything in about 20 minutes of searching time.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Interesting... Be interesting to try to drive with two seperate throttle controls. Can you say "Torque Steer"? LOL

 

[bighead]

Interesting... Be interesting to try to drive with two seperate throttle controls. Can you say "Torque Steer"? LOL

Okay okay maybe one throttle for both engines. LOL

I have no clew what Torque Steer even is. I was just thinking out loud thing.

I know there is way more than just thinking it may work. After my Bar Stool Racer build I do not even mess with anything steering.

Are you saying my idea would not work, or work good for Torque Steer reasons? Again I ask not knowing what Torque Steer is. I would amagine pulling of the steering wheel right.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Yeah- basically torque steer is when the driving wheels are also the steering wheels (FWD). hard throttling usually causes the vehicle to pull to one side or the other. If you have driven front wheel drive, you know what I mean. Now, I'm imagining seperate engines, and pinning the throttle on one side. An arm-wrestling match with the steering wheel, for sure.

I think it could be made to work, but it could be a handful. Maybe using a fancy linkage, or even a computer, you could cut back the throttle on the side you're steering to. As an example, suppose you want to steer left. Instead of pinning the right throttle, perhaps let off on the left. Less violent maybe.

It may not be necessary. With the engines and wheels entirely independant, it should steer okay with equal throttle input. You'd still get torque steer, but maybe not as bad.

Heavy acceleration in a straight line might be a bit hairy, though...

 

[honda-gx-power]

i would just connect both to one throttle if i was you.I would love to see this done.
Front wheel drive only, wicked that would be.Front wheel drive is better in a car is better than rear wheel drive cars as they handle a lot better round corners.
Round where i live there was a police chase,police was in there 4wd subaru impreza as thats what they have (unmarked cars-nothing wrote on car), well this young lad was in a nissan micra which are only 1100cc lol but there front wheel drive.Police was chasing him and here the result
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3J9H3hYvnA

 

[honda-gx-power]

Pure of topic i no.sorry

 

[bighead]

Yeah- basically torque steer is when the driving wheels are also the steering wheels (FWD). hard throttling usually causes the vehicle to pull to one side or the other. If you have driven front wheel drive, you know what I mean. Now, I'm imagining seperate engines, and pinning the throttle on one side. An arm-wrestling match with the steering wheel, for sure.

I think it could be made to work, but it could be a handful. Maybe using a fancy linkage, or even a computer, you could cut back the throttle on the side you're steering to. As an example, suppose you want to steer left. Instead of pinning the right throttle, perhaps let off on the left. Less violent maybe.

It may not be necessary. With the engines and wheels entirely independant, it should steer okay with equal throttle input. You'd still get torque steer, but maybe not as bad.

Heavy acceleration in a straight line might be a bit hairy, though...

Kind of sounds like fun. Thanks for the input.

We forgot to hook up the dual disc brakes on each wheel also controled by dual levers on the steering wheel. You would then have many ways to control Torque Steer. LOL Just kidding

 

[honda-gx-power]

2 pedals for gas and 2 for brakes lol

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Kind of sounds like fun. Thanks for the input.

We forgot to hook up the dual disc brakes on each wheel also controled by dual levers on the steering wheel. You would then have many ways to control Torque Steer. LOL Just kidding

Okay- picture this: Crank the wheel left, LOCK the left brake, PIN the right throttle!!!

 

[honda-gx-power]

Now your car wont move loll