[ Road Kart ] What type of engine?

[dousty45]

Hi,

Ive got a premade race frame but dont know what engine to use

Found 2 engines that look like they would work well and are quite cheap.
125cc Lifan engine 4 speed
13HP Honda knockoff

Suggestions?

Kart frame is like this one:

 

[anderkart]

I'd want the 13hp in my kart, but something to keep in mind is high quality clutches (or torque converters) designed to fit its 25mm. output shaft and hold up to the power of 13hp engines are more exspencive than you expect. That 13hp ad doesn't show a pic of its output shaft, so ask and make sure the output shaft is non-tapered and has a keyway machined in. Otherwise you wont find a clutch that fits it.


The drawbacks to installing Your Lifan would be a more difficult to build motor mount, plus having to build shift and clutch linkage.

The pic you posted doesn't show up, but if your race frame is the modern side-engine type like my kart here in this thread:--> http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3664
you'll probably find your karts R-R tire is in the way of using the Lifan kickstart lever...

 

[daniel7250]

as Anderkart said , its gonna be easyer to mount the 13hp. But if you can get a semi-auto lifan. its gonna be better. they both put out roughly the same power at stock but the lifan has 4 gears to play with. and is easyer to add more power too.

 

[anderkart]

Kart frame is like this one:

See how that rear cross member is angled closer to the axle on the right side? If your frame is just like that pic you might not have enough clearance to instal a large enough (55 to 75-tooth) axle sprocket needed for a 4-cycle industrial engines like that 13hp.

On the other hand with the gearing of a motorcycle engine you typically end up needing a much smaller axle sprocket (usually around 25-tooth) anyway, so that angled crossbar probably wouldnt be an issue.