Thunder Kart Project

[Pocketrocket]

Thor Kart Project (Originally Thunder kart project)

Hey guys i'm kind of new to this forum i've never posted a project log on this forum so this is my first time, any help and ideas would be appreciated.

So to the point, recently i purchased a thunder kart for 50 dollars complete with a 5 hp briggs engine. The engine was sitting outside for god knows how long so i'm scrapping that and putting my predator engine with dual exhaust and new air filter and such on the thunder cart.

As for my plan i will be sanding down the whole frame and repainting it with a powdercoat. Welding the roll bar together into one piece. Setting up a new ignition system, by the end of the project i will be aiming to get my cart up to at least 55mph.

So any suggestions on this project will be nice, if i get any interest i'll keep posting and keeping everyone up to date.

Thanks guys

 

[Doc Sprocket]

This oughta be interesting. What did you have in mind for the ignition system?

Now- about that dual exhaust... on a single cylinder engine. Seems kind of pointless, no?

 

[souperman000]

Now- about that dual exhaust... on a single cylinder engine. Seems kind of pointless, no?

Is this not DIY? Why not do it?

 

[Pocketrocket]

This oughta be interesting. What did you have in mind for the ignition system?

Now- about that dual exhaust... on a single cylinder engine. Seems kind of pointless, no?

The dual exhaust gives the engine a really clean sound and improves the flow throughout the engine and why not aha

And as far as the ignition system, that's being plotted out still but some suggestions would nice.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Is this not DIY? Why not do it?

Why not, indeed! But I like to play "Devil's Advocate" now and then... Besides- the OP said he had a Predator, but no indication of size... For all I know, there could be a new, fire-breathing, big-block Twin Predator new on the market! Dual exhaust? You betcha!

 

[Pocketrocket]

Why not, indeed! But I like to play "Devil's Advocate" now and then... Besides- the OP said he had a Predator, but no indication of size... For all I know, there could be a new, fire-breathing, big-block Twin Predator new on the market! Dual exhaust? You betcha!

i wish haha maybe later on but i only have a 6.5 hp predator engine but i should be able to get a lot of power out of it

 

[Pocketrocket]

Heres what i got to work with as far as what i got as a frame. It's not much but $50 you get what you pay for. And when i look at it i see potential.

 

[xXPOEDUNKXx]

Its seen it share far of action but you can do anything you want with time and motivation. Look forward to see what you do with it.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

It's pretty hard to go wrong for $50! Good score!

 

[cumminsbayou4x4]

no way i would try to get that thing up to 55

 

[Doc Sprocket]

no way i would try to get that thing up to 55

Yeesh- I don't know how I missed that.

55MPH on a kart like that is a recipe for disaster. It's beyond foolish, it's a Darwin Award winner. Absolutely nothing about that kart is suitable for speeds like that.

Draw the line around 35, and live to do it again.

 

[cumminsbayou4x4]

how long would the bearings last going that fast

 

[Pocketrocket]

I know 55mph is a bit foolish but the karts going to be completely different to what is is now, i want it to have some real power. But thats my end goal, i haven't seen many people do that with a dirt frame like that so i wanted to be different (then again theres plenty of reasons why people haven't done it, i know trust me) But why the hell not i said to myself, better to have the power and not use it then not have the power and want it.

Just my reasoning, but anyway by the end of this weekend i'l have a solid update for you guys. So keep checking this thread

Cheers guys

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Please- just bear in mind that there's a lot more to it than whether the bearings are up to the task. Absolutely everything including the integrity of the frame, are in question here. When I say that none of that kart was engineered to withstand speeds like that, I do mean NONE of it. We're talking about freeway speed in some states.

To make matters worse, your @ss is two inches off the ground, you've go no suspension, and direct steering. This equates to a very squirrely ride. Run over a mouse dropping, and you're headed for the hay bales... Which would be great, except that frame and cage will not withstand the hit- neither will your body.

Don't get me wrong, that's a lovely little fun kart, and a great deal- but that's all it is.

 

[Pocketrocket]

Trust me i've had all that in mind lately and i've decided to gradually take the speed up on this engine, i'll run it as is for awhile see what frame modifications i need if any and up the power to the engine and repeat. Who knows i might not even want to it to go that fast. My last project i had a racing frame that wasn't even 1 inch off the ground and a alcohol engine and when i took it to the track and got it up to 75 the quarter mile. Besides the point lets get off the subject of how fast its going to go.

I have a question, how would i be able to hook up a tachometer gauge to my kart, my last project i used a digital one but i really want to go with an analog one so i'm just wondering if this is possible ?
Thanks you

*Edit* I'am ordering a tiny tach after much research i realized it would be quicker and cheeper*

 

[Pocketrocket]

Update*

Didn't get much done this weekend due to other commitments but i figured i'd give you guys a small update. This weekend i went tool shopping as well, i got my self a small sand baster and a new paint gun because i gave my other one to a friend and i got it back and he didn't clean it after he used it >.< it stopped working right so i just went ahead and bought a new one for this project so heres some photos.

Basically all i did was take off both engines on the two karts i had and put them on the work bench and swapped out the clutches. Tomorrow i will be sanding and priming the cart so hopefully i'l get you guys a update then.

- Adam

 

[Mcbreja]

This weekend i went tool shopping as well, i got my self a small sand baster and a new paint gun because i gave my other one to a friend and i got it back and he didn't clean it after he used it >.< it stopped working right

Oh man. That kind of thing pes me off. My two nephews won't clean my tools or put them back when they're done. I'm about ready to kick their butts because of it.

 

[Pocketrocket]

Oh no man i've gotten to the point nobody uses my tools or anything without putting them away or they just never use my shop its simple and i keep most of my tools in its own spot in working condition.

 

[Pocketrocket]

The last couple of days i've been making progress, slow progress but quality takes time.

I took my seat off and sanded it down along with the part of the roll bar that the headrest would be. I primed both of them got a good prime for painting. Now i have to bring my seat and headrest part to baton rouge to get the seat reupholstered professionally.

I also pressure washed the frame.

I have also removed the two front wheels because they both needed new tubes one of the wheels had a popped bearing so i just decided to buy two new wheels. Easier then messing with two pain in the asses. Little progress but better then none.

-Adam

 

[landuse]

Little progress but better then none.

-Adam

You are getting there. Soon you will be driving like there is no tomorrow