Torque Converter or Chain for 8hp Tecumseh/Gearing Questions

[ClemsonTigerKarting]

Hello all,

Bear with me since this is my first post on here.

But recently I bought a Manco dingo with a 8 hp Tecumseh, I was going to ask what the general consensus was to either do a chain or a Torque converter. I've seen on here and other places people saying above 8 hp to go with the converter. It already has a chain on it right now, so I wasn't sure since it wasn't a huge step up into like 13+ hp whether it really matters?

Also any suggestions on gear ratio would be great. It seems there's a number of factors that go into judging that, so for some background I'm 240lbs and plan on doing a little bit of everything in terms of driving surfaces (grass, dirt/clay, asphalt)

Thanks for any and all help, I really appreciate it since I'm new to doing a lot of this by myself.

 

[shadowfocus603]

Even with a torque converter you will have a chain. The question you meant to ask I think is centrifugal clutch or torque converter. In which case on a dingo torque converter all day every day. A clutch will burn baby burn unless you gear it way down with such a heavy kart. Which will kill any top speed.

 

[Denny]

And it should be a 40 series cvt the 30 is too light and Manco used the 40 with 8 hp engines.

Denny

 

[ClemsonTigerKarting]

Cool thank you both! And yeah sorry I knew someway the chain is gonna come into play with the torque converter but should've probably specified that.

Thanks for both of your help, and hopefully I'll have it running here soon.

 

[mindymogul]

As for gear ratio the optimum one would be at LEAST 6:1. That way you get a good balance of both low strain on your drivetrain and engine. But it all depends on the OD of the rear tires. My brother weighs in at 270 and he runs a Manco Magnum w/ a Predator 301 w/ a 40 series. The rear tires on that are 18x8.5x8 and he can get along around 28mph uphill. Drive sprocket is 10, axle Sprocket 72t so that would make it a 7.2:1. Any less than that you'd be picking blown belts of your pulleys. For off road purposes CVTs are MUST.

 

[ClemsonTigerKarting]

One more question actually, do you have any recommendations for what brand of cvt I should get? Not looking to buy super expensive but a decent quality would be nice.

 

[shadowfocus603]

I have 4 of the $55 ebay 30 series and they work great. For a 40 series there is this.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/332553785775
For what it's worth my Manco 906c ran a 30 series and with real comet belts I could beat it hard and it never had belt wear issues pushing about 10hp on my mildly modded 212 hemi. And that kart is equally as heavy or heavier than your Dingo.

 

[Denny]

What ever brand cvt you choose use a Genuine Comet Belt!

Denny