Predator 212 Manco Dingo build

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kiaen

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So, a few buddies and myself have all "recently" gotten some go karts, and have built a bit of a go kart track. (maybe 3/8s of a mile total, with the longest straight-a-way being like 200 ish feet)
Until now I have been borrowing one of their Predator 212s with the governor delete and an old Torque converter, but when the predators went on sale a couple of months ago, I picked one up.

So now I'm wanting to upgrade mine, and want some advice.
It's either a 285-207 or a 285-04, not sure which one, but those manual pictures are it.
It will mostly be used off road/gravel, and I'm thinking I want to do a stage 2 build(Will probably use the Gopowersports racer kit) along with a 22MM mikuni style carb.
I was also thinking about changing the suspension and steering, but I think I will wait on that.
Right now I have 21" tires on it, but was thinking about swapping to 18" tires.

So my question is, what kind of gear ratio should I stick to(I would rather more get-up and go vs max speed I think), and (I want to stick with a torque converter) should I be getting a Jugg-a-verter, or a regular 30 series?

Thank you all for your time.
 
Hellion

Hellion

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Convert it to a Manco American Express and equip it for dirt track racing? A Dingo is basically an American Express with big tires.
I wouldn't try to alter it too much; it is what it is -- a light, non suspended classic kart (unless yours has the rudimentary coil springs on the spindles). Stock steering is fine.

The rest of your plans and a CVT sounds good (torque converter is a misnomer but I read you).

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panchothedog

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With either size of tires the best gear ratio is a 10 tooth on the torque converter and a 60 tooth on the axle. I have a juggernaut driver on one of my karts. It's the same thing as the jug-averter. I think they are extremely overrated and not worth the $75 to $85 they sell for. A stock 30 series driver can be altered by installing stiffer garter springs $10, and if you install the $30 aluminum weights you can get up to about a 4200 rpm engagement, depending on which springs you use.
I have a couple of drivers built this way and for $40 ( plus the stock driver that I already had ) it will out perform the juggernaut. Spend your money wisely.
 
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kiaen

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Hellion said:
Convert it to a Manco American Express and equip it for dirt track racing? A Dingo is basically an American Express with big tires.
I wouldn't try to alter it too much; it is what it is -- a light, non suspended classic kart (unless yours has the rudimentary coil springs on the spindles). Stock steering is fine.

The rest of your plans and a CVT sounds good (torque converter is a misnomer but I read you).

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Hey Hellion! Fair point on CVT vs Torque converter, but dang that's all I have ever heard them called. Haha.

Don't mind the seat, it didn't have one on the bottom at all when I got it. Shhh.

I kinda plan on modifications to the kart itself, but at the same time, just kinda want to build one myself.(But that can get way more expensive then I want to go)
 

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kiaen

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panchothedog said:
With either size of tires the best gear ratio is a 10 tooth on the torque converter and a 60 tooth on the axle. I have a juggernaut driver on one of my karts. It's the same thing as the jug-averter. I think they are extremely overrated and not worth the $75 to $85 they sell for. A stock 30 series driver can be altered by installing stiffer garter springs $10, and if you install the $30 aluminum weights you can get up to about a 4200 rpm engagement, depending on which springs you use.
I have a couple of drivers built this way and for $40 ( plus the stock driver that I already had ) it will out perform the juggernaut. Spend your money wisely.
Click to expand...
Wait, you are telling me I need to look into modifications for the CVT/torque converter too? (Semi /s)

Dang it I know nothing on that, which is why I came to ask.
 
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Denny

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That originally had a 8 hp Briggs on it.
kiaen said:
Hey Hellion! Fair point on CVT vs Torque converter, but dang that's all I have ever heard them called. Haha.

Don't mind the seat, it didn't have one on the bottom at all when I got it. Shhh.

I kinda plan on modifications to the kart itself, but at the same time, just kinda want to build one myself.(But that can get way more expensive then I want to go)
Click to expand...
 
Hellion

Hellion

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Now show us the track. 🏁

Honestly I hate seeing a classic Manco Dingo get mauled. Maybe you'd be better off with a fully suspended Chinese buggy?
 
Hellion

Hellion

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Whitetrashrocker said:
You hate me don't you.
Click to expand...

Oh I forgot you were a Dingo mauler. Did you add full suspension an' sh🤬? All I can remember is your silly pedals, but in order to maintain the forum orthodoxy and doctrinal order I hereby nominate Denny as the Inquisitor. 👨‍⚖️⚖️🔥

:roflol:
 
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kiaen

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Hellion said:
Now show us the track. 🏁

Honestly I hate seeing a classic Manco Dingo get mauled. Maybe you'd be better off with a fully suspended Chinese buggy?
Click to expand...
I don't have any pictures, sadly.
And if I did, 3/4 is in woods.

I can understand that, which is why I'm iffy on modifications vs building my own.
 
Hellion

Hellion

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kiaen said:
I can understand that, which is why I'm iffy on modifications vs building my own.
Click to expand...

I thought your track was a dirt oval, basically. If it's a rough trail in the woods, well that's wildly different.

I wonder if the fat-rear-tires/small-tires-on-front setup on the "vintage" Dingo is even viable for racing? I think that's a gimmick from the 1980s and you'd be better off with 4 tires and wheels of the same general size. Anyway, I'd concentrate on making it as fast as possible and then seeing how well it does....
 
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kiaen

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Hellion said:
I thought your track was a dirt oval, basically. If it's a rough trail in the woods, well that's wildly different.

I wonder if the fat-rear-tires/small-tires-on-front setup on the "vintage" Dingo is even viable for racing? I think that's a gimmick from the 1980s and you'd be better off with 4 tires and wheels of the same general size. Anyway, I'd concentrate on making it as fast as possible and then seeing how well it does....
Click to expand...
Nah, it's got like 3 hairpin turns, 2 wide turns a couple of straights, and a if you are brave enough, big *** berm you can use to skirt around a pond. Haven't had anyone fall in yet, but it's been close.

It didn't do horrid last year, but yeah, I'm swapping tires this year for sure.

That's the goal!
 
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