Predator 212cc EFI Turbo Shopping Kart Project

[Dmehalko]

Totally new to this site and fabricating, but with summer time coming with an itch to learn to weld I figure what better way than to build a hilarious weekend neighborhood toy. While at Harbor Freight this past weekend, without even thinking about it I came across these 212cc predator engines, to me was foreign and cheap which lead to an impulse buy/excuse to finally get started on a fun project. After the fact I was happy to find that it was a popular choice among many Karters with great aftermarket support.

This will be my first attempt at welding/messing with small gasoline engines.

Plans:
Stage 1 will be a learning curve for welding, and main goal will be to build a functioning Shopping Kart with this Predator 212cc engine, differential rear end or single wheel drive. Want to retain the original dimensions of the shopping cart as much as possible for comedic purposes

Stage 2 will be new motor time after i find what works and doesnt work with the kart. Going to pick up a 2nd 212 to put together as a turbo motor based off the RHB31 turbocharger, and ecotrons small engine EFI kit. The biggest thing will be if this engine creates enough exhaust pressure to spool the thing, but should be fun to experiment with. While im sure will be totally unnecessary, i found a 6"x12" intercooler with 1.5" inlet/outlet I will pick up as well .

Will keep you guys posted on the project while serving as a photodump location for myself

 

[Dieselchanic]

Wow. That's quite ambitious for a first project.. Hope it works for you and good luck.

Welcome to the site.

 

[azarak]

may i suggest..........wheelie bars!
gotta be honest, i see a LOT of hurdles in this project. if it were i, i would tackle them individually. functioning kart first then efi then turbo.
i totally agree driving through the neighborhood in a shopping kart would be hilarious.
i have no idea how much exhaust pressure that motor puts out but im sure someone who knows will chime in soon.
if you can pull this off it will be awesome!
good luck and keep posting.

 

[2SlickNick]

Welcome. I too used a shopping cart in my build, but i just used the metal. Youcan see how I used mine here on my build thread. http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25416

 

[Dmehalko]

Wow. That's quite ambitious for a first project.. Hope it works for you and good luck.

Welcome to the site.

Nothing like a good challenge! Figure I go all in right off the bat

may i suggest..........wheelie bars!
gotta be honest, i see a LOT of hurdles in this project. if it were i, i would tackle them individually. functioning kart first then efi then turbo.
i totally agree driving through the neighborhood in a shopping kart would be hilarious.
i have no idea how much exhaust pressure that motor puts out but im sure someone who knows will chime in soon.
if you can pull this off it will be awesome!
good luck and keep posting.

Definitely! If you noticed i have the 1st and 2nd "phase" of this project mapped out, right now im in parts accumulation mode!

Welcome. I too used a shopping cart in my build, but i just used the metal. Youcan see how I used mine here on my build thread. http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25416

Looking good!!

 

[landuse]

Welcome

 

[KartFab]

Oh great, the price of goods just went up at Walmart to cover another shopping cart

 

[OzFab]

I suggest the first thing you do is reinforce the lower frame; I'm not sure of the material specs but, in it's current state, I'm not sure it will hold up to the stresses...

Good luck with the project, I'll be keeping an eye on this one

 

[Dmehalko]

I suggest the first thing you do is reinforce the lower frame; I'm not sure of the material specs but, in it's current state, I'm not sure it will hold up to the stresses...

Good luck with the project, I'll be keeping an eye on this one

Ya planning on the engine mount rails to play a major role in frame strength, but we shall see, feels nice and solid as it is now.

Got the lower 'basket' cut out, and a couple holes cut for legs to drop through, and finally a highly technical method for mocking up engine placement

Need to decide on Axle type for finalize where I want the motor to sit.

 

[Dieselchanic]

Might wanna turn that motor around unless you plan on backing up..

I turbo'd a flathead Briggs but I think the turbo was too big. It would spool it up but I doubt it actually built any manifold pressure.

 

[landuse]

Definate reinforcing needed....but I like the idea of what you are doing

 

[Dmehalko]

Might wanna turn that motor around unless you plan on backing up..

I turbo'd a flathead Briggs but I think the turbo was too big. It would spool it up but I doubt it actually built any manifold pressure.

You caught that didnt you , my blonde moment ended after snapping that picture.

And the RHB31 turbo looks to be one of the smallest produced turbos, they claim usage down to 149cc engines, so we shall see, I will have a boost gauge on the shopper kart

 

[Assy]

This was my first real build, i went for a different design on mine tho