Swap 110cc for Predator 212?

[seethesun]

I thought I responded earlier, but must not have pressed submit.

Yeah, that's the engine I was looking at if I decide to go electric start. Though, I don't really care about the lights for the time being, and having a pull start would help me make sure the kids aren't turning it on when I'm not around (especially that mischievous 3 YO daughter of mine).

As long as I can add a remote kill switch and mount the engine, I will be good to go. I have never welded so I will have to get someone to do that part though.

 

[fodio]

I thought I responded earlier, but must not have pressed submit.

Yeah, that's the engine I was looking at if I decide to go electric start. Though, I don't really care about the lights for the time being, and having a pull start would help me make sure the kids aren't turning it on when I'm not around (especially that mischievous 3 YO daughter of mine).

As long as I can add a remote kill switch and mount the engine, I will be good to go. I have never welded so I will have to get someone to do that part though.

Predator 212 $100 or Duramax 7HP...$200 both will work fine...kill sw could be installed in the front it is just a ground signal...

IMHO, Duramax could be a better long run investment and you can have the lights even if not battery is installed...if concerned about safety don't install the battery now or keep the keys in a safe place...

 

[ML-TOYS]

He want remote kill not a kill switch only

 

[fodio]

He want remote kill not a kill switch only

Ok.

One additional reason to have a Duromax with a battery installed to provide proper and reliable power to the remote kill sw.

A independent battery will require a charger and a lot of discipline to keep it in good shape...remember it is for a safety device...I cannot recommend this approach.

Regarding the remote kill sw, There are several options like this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/REMOTE-ALAR...-135-cc-ATV-Quad-go-kart-TAOTAO-/280870386263

 

[seethesun]

The cart has a battery, but you are right, I didn't think about keeping the battery charged and the maintenance involved. I may have to go to the Duramax afterall.

Thanks.

 

[seethesun]

Hi.

Me again. Still trying to figure out which engine to go with. I pretty much decided on the Duromax, then I had to do something crazy like check the dimensions.

I took some pics because (I might be over thinking this) based on the stated dimensions of the Duromax 7hp or the Predator 6.5hp, I'm not sure I can get them to fit.

In the first image I added green lines. The horizontal estimates the distance between the two bars I would expect to put the mounting plate (only 14"). I could be wrong, but I didn't see another place to fit it.

The left vertical line is only 12" from the battery to the sprocket. The right vertical line (11") is the height from the right bar the mounting plate would go on to the bracket where the old engine was mounted. It's all welded there so I can't easily remove it.

And not shown in that pic is the height from the left bar to the gas tank above, which is about 17".

The Duromax is 17.3 L x 16.7 W x 17.12 H and the Predator is 12.5 x 14.5 x 14. The sprocket also rises slightly above (maybe half inch) the bars where I expect the mount to be.

In one of the pics you see the the gas tank. That is all removable, but unless I can shift it forward (to the left in the first pic) I don't know that I can clear the bracket where the original engine mounted.

Maybe with the predator, but I definitely don't believe so with the Duromax having an additional

Does anyone see something I am missing to make the Duromax fit?

Thanks and let me know if you need a different view on the pics.

David

 

[ML-TOYS]

Time to mod the frame, if it were me i would cut off that cage where the motor sits. It looks like its just a rear motor mount and protective cage for the original motor.
Then mount the engine plate and if needed extend the rear a couple inches for the motor to move back if needed.
But thats just me

 

[firemanjim]

Remote mount the fuel tank. That takes away from the height, a considerable amount. IIRC, the predator is just over 11" without the tank..... The tank can be anywhere......

Just pull the tank..... You already have a tank mounted..... The duramax height should not present a problem, with the tank removed.......

 

[seethesun]

I appreciate the responses. I just want to make sure I get this right before buying an engine that I can't get locally, meaning I won't want to pay return shipping if it doesn't work.

Time to mod the frame, if it were me i would cut off that cage where the motor sits. It looks like its just a rear motor mount and protective cage for the original motor.
Then mount the engine plate and if needed extend the rear a couple inches for the motor to move back if needed.

Extending the frame is probably beyond my scope of skills. Both of those engines have a counter-clockwise crankshaft. That would mean I need to to mount it so that crankshaft is pointing left, correct (or we just drive in reverse )?

Cutting the cage mount off may give enough room, but if I get the frame extended, and assuming I need to move it back, would that work? The pics I've seen of an engine with a TC on it have the lower part (driven?) to the lower right of the crank shaft. So it would need to be in front of the axel sprocket, right?

I'm not sure there is room to move it back only slightly before we are on the sprocket.

Remote mount the fuel tank. That takes away from the height, a considerable amount. IIRC, the predator is just over 11" without the tank..... The tank can be anywhere......

Just pull the tank..... You already have a tank mounted..... The duramax height should not present a problem, with the tank removed.......

I thought about pulling the tank, but if the crankshaft has to face left, then I'm not sure that's going to solve the issue. The tank is on the right and the old mount/cage is on the the left, and the muffler height becomes the issue.

Removing that protective cage may be my only solution.

 

[firemanjim]

The exhaust and tank can both be moved. Yes, the crank has to be on the left.... All the bolt on engine parts can be relocated, even the carb......
I have an exhaust manifold cut off that I can make you a new exhaust with, so that's not gonna be a problem. You just need to make sure the rest of the engine itself, fits.....

 

[seethesun]

The exhaust and tank can both be moved. Yes, the crank has to be on the left.... All the bolt on engine parts can be relocated, even the carb......
I have an exhaust manifold cut off that I can make you a new exhaust with, so that's not gonna be a problem. You just need to make sure the rest of the engine itself, fits.....

Shows how little I know about engines. That's great to hear. Thanks. I have to get moving to get this done before Christmas. Knowing me, it will take that long.

 

[firemanjim]

I was looking at the duramax engine. It's the same block as the predator. The dimensions differ due to the muffler and air breather assemblies. They are different.... The air breather sits out past the recoil..... The muffler is a big @$$ box..... Junk that, as soon as you get it home..... It only hinders performance..... The intake too, I suggest you buy an adaptor to put on a pod style filter. Then open your jet to a #38... (or 36-37? I opened mine big....) Doing these three things will put you around 8+ hp...... Now gear it low to utilize the power......

 

[Denny]

Or just go with an original type engine. No mods to do to frame just wire up and go.

Denny

 

[seethesun]

Thanks Firemanjim for looking at that.

Or just go with an original type engine. No mods to do to frame just wire up and go.

Denny,

I have thought about and would love to go that route, but things are shying me away.

• The engine didn't come with the kart, so I'm not positive which type it was.
• I have come across some that would likely work, but I've seen complaints about these engines (and/or sellers).
• If I choose wrong and it doesn't fit, return policies are pretty restrictive, especially on eBay.
• All that I have seen state it's high torque, low speed. It's for my 6 year old, so I am not looking for something to send him 50mph, but I do want something he can grow into. So "low speed" may be fine, just not sure of their definition.
• 1 month warranty. Granted, unless I bought an engine locally, I'm probably not shipping the engine back and will try to fix it myself. But given the complaints I've seen on the stock engines versus the positives on the Predator/Duromax, it seems it would be more likely to happen with the original engines. Not to mention, since everything is in one, seems like it may be more difficult to work on?
• Lastly, not sure if I can add a limiter or throttle stop to those engines until my son proves he can handle it.

I would love to be talked into it by someone that has used these engines, but just not sold yet. There are some below that I have seen.

Not sure what is considered a "light" go kart? Semi automatic? Is that just that you have to shift to get to reverse, but forward gears are automatic?

Also, would the built in clutch have enough torque to be off-road versus having a torque converter? He would be driving on our land, which is a little rough and does have an incline to it. Not a steep hill by any means, but probably 5+% grade.

The original was 110cc, but looking at both 110 and 125.

This one seems to be a lower HP.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/125CC-SEMI-...V-QUAD-GO-KART-3-1-125R-BASIC-H-/380558109177

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LIFAN-125CC...Parts_Accessories&hash=item35a2f0b1ab&vxp=mtr

This one has two different sizes and I have no idea which to choose. Only review said it wasn't an exact fit and mods required, but I don't know what they were working with.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Long-Case-1...Parts_Accessories&hash=item58a7509bb3&vxp=mtr


This is probably the closest to the one that came on it.

http://familyfunpowersports.com/PAR...se-Electric-Start-ATVs-Go-Karts/prod_447.html

Thoughts?

Thanks,

 

[firemanjim]

The last one...... It's for a kid, so leave it easy..... Shift up to go forward. Shift back to back up.... Put it in the middle so it won't go..... Easy......

EDIT
I have that second engine, the 125cc Lifan. That's a good engine. I've owned several..... Lifan is the best clone in my opinion. I'm putting that engine in a home built kart, and it will be a blast to play in when it's done. I prefer a standard over automatic, but would go semi automatic before full auto. Full automatic, might as well be a regular go kart engine.....
Yours is for a child, so I would say the automatic...... If he's old enough to learn the proper way and time to shift, get the semi automatic......
Those are good engines. If your nervous about longevity, buy a Lifan. The only things I've had to repair on these engines, is the stator, and other electronic stuff. No hard parts problems. Take care of it, and it will last a long time.....

 

[seethesun]

The last one...... It's for a kid, so leave it easy..... Shift up to go forward. Shift back to back up.... Put it in the middle so it won't go..... Easy......

EDIT
I have that second engine, the 125cc Lifan. That's a good engine. I've owned several..... Lifan is the best clone in my opinion. I'm putting that engine in a home built kart, and it will be a blast to play in when it's done. I prefer a standard over automatic, but would go semi automatic before full auto. Full automatic, might as well be a regular go kart engine.....
Yours is for a child, so I would say the automatic...... If he's old enough to learn the proper way and time to shift, get the semi automatic......
Those are good engines. If your nervous about longevity, buy a Lifan. The only things I've had to repair on these engines, is the stator, and other electronic stuff. No hard parts problems. Take care of it, and it will last a long time.....

Thanks. Yeah, he's not ready for standard or probably the semi-auto either then. I didn't notice the Lifan was a standard and I can't seem to find a lifan in auto (only semi). Have to keep looking, but may just bite the bullet on the no-name full automatic.

I appreciate all the input.

 

[firemanjim]

Let me look first, before you buy..... I can usually find those.... Instead of what I'm looking for..... LoL and I know a guy in the parts business......

 

[seethesun]

Let me look first, before you buy..... I can usually find those.... Instead of what I'm looking for..... LoL and I know a guy in the parts business......

Haha. I know how that goes. Please let me know. Thanks.

 

[seethesun]

Let me look first, before you buy..... I can usually find those.... Instead of what I'm looking for..... LoL and I know a guy in the parts business......

Hi Firemanjim,

I just wanted to follow up and see if you had any luck finding one of those Lifan engines in a full auto? I can't find a mention of it anywhere, so I'm not sure they even make it.

Thanks.

 

[firemanjim]

Looking right now...... My bad