Speedemon's Build Thread

[speedemon]

Ok I bought a racing frame that was a steal for the price I paid for it. Here are a few pics of the tear down and some constructing to the frame to straighten it out.

As for the motor, Im having a hard time trying to decided between the habour freight motor(196cc) and modify that or this

If non of these, what motor would be best? My goal to to make this thing quick off the line and reach speeds of roughly 80+. I have plans of building a body of of cardboard to create a shell of the 2010 camaro and also slide 10 inch pvd on the rear tires to make an easy drifter out of it. Im a big fan of drifting and I seen this as being the cheapest way of doin it.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

thats a good kart. looks good.

if you want to go 80MPH+ then look into some huge engines.... bike engines.

if 20mph on my kart gets hairy and scary, 80mph must be insane. when your that low to the ground at those speeds it feels like 300mph...

 

[redsox985]

That Lifan may be a pain to mount due to the mount locations. Getting an older name brand 125 bike and stealing the motor and whole cradle may be much easier.

 

[HellSpawn]

Get a high-output streetbike engine for it and you wont have to worry about covering the wheels with anything to drift...

 

[dave1701]

I hope you mean 80kph.

 

[devino246]

I had a friend who used to race karts with his dad. His kart was a modded briggs, his dads was a shifter kart that topped out around 100. Had 4 wheel disc brakes, 2 inch hollow axle, water cooled engine, paddle shifters, etc. Unless your planning to dump lots of money into this, you should lower your speed expectations.

 

[syko120]

you need high rpms or gears to drift a go kart bro. best chance is a bike engine maybe built clone or a beefed up gy series.

good luck

 

[r_chez_08]

Im sorry but you do not need high rpm and gears to drift a kart. I have a 6.5hp clone and I can drift fine. All you need is good brakes and a bit of speed.

 

[syko120]

i dont know dude i dont see a gokart going into full out drifting at such a low rpm or power to weight ratio unless your tires are small enough but thats no fun.

 

[r_chez_08]

Depends what you mean by drifting:
Move passively, aimlessly, or involuntarily into a certain situation or condition
I was drifting off to sleep
Lewis and his father drifted apart
I can do the above on my kart
I see what you are getting at but i can still drift on my 6.5hp clone kart on dirt.

 

[syko120]

Ahhh see what I mean though thats on dirt. I'm talking about straight up tearing up your rear tires sliding around a curve on pavement.

 

[speedemon]

Ok let me clarify something with everyone here lol. I know what you all are talking about when it comes to drifting but I did mention sliding pvc pipe over the rear tires that will do the job. It will allow me to bring the back end around a little bit and no wear on the tires. this is what im talking about

 

[syko120]

I prefer the smell of burnt rubber

 

[Doc Sprocket]

If you put PVC or whatever plastic sleeve you like on the rear tires, you're never going to have any control at all unless you have a LOW power engine. AND- If you put said plastic on the tires and shoot for 80mph, your next of kin had better be present with a squeegee and a Shop-Vac to reclaim your mortal remains.

 

[speedemon]

If you put PVC or whatever plastic sleeve you like on the rear tires, you're never going to have any control at all unless you have a LOW power engine. AND- If you put said plastic on the tires and shoot for 80mph, your next of kin had better be present with a squeegee and a Shop-Vac to reclaim your mortal remains.

Oh I see your point however, when I feel like hauling, Im going to remove the pipe from the rear tires and let her rip. When I wanna drift, take some air out of the tires slide the pipe on and fill the tires up of air so they cant come off. Simple as that.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Okay, I guess if that's what you're after- go for it. I personally enjoy being able to hammer it and launch sideways, hit top speed, hammer the brakes and whip the wheel 'round. Power slide (drift, whatever) around the turn, pin it and hit the afterburners again. Hit the far end, loop a bunch of donuts and figure-8's, and fly off again.

With the right engine/power/weight/tire/surface combo, you can do all that without mucking about with plastic sleeves. Honestly, I think my greatest concern with the concept is safety. Please bear in mind that if you do the sleeves, you WILL have no brakes. Helluva way to die if you do manage to get any speed like that. Do what you like, just use your head doing it.

 

[speedemon]

Okay, I guess if that's what you're after- go for it. I personally enjoy being able to hammer it and launch sideways, hit top speed, hammer the brakes and whip the wheel 'round. Power slide (drift, whatever) around the turn, pin it and hit the afterburners again. Hit the far end, loop a bunch of donuts and figure-8's, and fly off again.

With the right engine/power/weight/tire/surface combo, you can do all that without mucking about with plastic sleeves. Honestly, I think my greatest concern with the concept is safety. Please bear in mind that if you do the sleeves, you WILL have no brakes. Helluva way to die if you do manage to get any speed like that. Do what you like, just use your head doing it.

LOL yes, im full aware of that, and yes I would prefer to do it as you mentioned but I dont want to spend a whole lot of money on tires for it. Its like an addiction, once you start, your hooked. I dont want it to hurt my wallet but I do have some exp. drifting in the snow with my car and that will help some.

For the braking system, I have thought about create a shut off to only allow the front to work while leaving the rear free. I will have the priveledge to do burn outs once in a greate while. But Il keep the tires in mind.

 

[syko120]

LOL yes, im full aware of that, and yes I would prefer to do it as you mentioned but I dont want to spend a whole lot of money on tires for it. Its like an addiction, once you start, your hooked. I dont want it to hurt my wallet but I do have some exp. drifting in the snow with my car and that will help some.

For the braking system, I have thought about create a shut off to only allow the front to work while leaving the rear free. I will have the priveledge to do burn outs once in a greate while. But Il keep the tires in mind.

drifting on snow and dry pavement are completely different bro and doing brakes all around on a gokart seems expensive if you want decent hydraulic brakes.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Some racing classes use front (and rear) braking. Pricey? Yes. Doable? Yes. Sketchy? YES. If you're motoring along and engage the fronts only (think about plastic rear wheels) and they don't grab evenly or one skids, you're in for an interesting ride.

I can see how you'd want to save from having to buy new rear tires every week. Why not take the kart out on dirt when you want to drift?

 

[speedemon]

Thats crossed my mind a few times but I think I would be to low for that. I think its roughly 2 inchs off the ground, maybe less withe motor and me on it.

The plastic rear tires? hmmm I always wondered that but never seen them. Sounds temping lol. the tires on the rear are 11x7, they make that size or what? Got links?