torque converter or not

[jfike33]

I'm building a 13 hp go kart. Do I need a torque converter? I'm having trouble locating a converter for 13 horses. I guess comet has gone out of business. Some people have told me I might not need one.


Gokart will be offroad, live axle, large tires.

Or should I go with a clutch?

The more I research this topic and look for parts the more confused I get.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Torque converter will be million times better, than a clutch. You will have to gear it VERY low for offroad if your using a clutch, as in around 15mph top speed.

Even better than a torque converter+13hp engine, would be a snowmobile or motorcycle engine.

 

[jfike33]

how would it run without a converter?

Do you know where I can purchase a converter for a 13 hp engine? All the places I've looked only sell tc's for 9 hp.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

You will need a comet 40 series. Without the torque converter, you will not be able to gear it for a very high speed, and still may not be able to climb hills very well (depending on weight of kart). You really wont be as happy with the centrifugal clutch.

 

[jfike33]

The only thing I noticed about the 40 series it max 3100 rpm. My engine is 3600 rpm. Does this create problems?

 

[The_Machine]

no. 40 series works great. I've done it.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

The only thing I noticed about the 40 series it max 3100 rpm. My engine is 3600 rpm. Does this create problems?

Dont know where you saw the max rpm as 3100, but it is used all the time on these industrial engines, which are all governed at 3600.

 

[TOO FAST]

Good question. I'm building a dirt road kart with 13 hp and plan to use a centr.. clutch
I have a comet duster 44 series cv but I find it adds a lot of weight and space so I'm
going to try the clutch first. Of course I plan to be on mostly level ground and at half
to wide open throttle most of the time. The kart I'm building is fairly light so I hope it will
work. Tires are 16.5 and geared to 35 mph. I think the main problem will be spinning
tires. Kaptain's comment scares me because he knows what he's talking about but I hope I can prove him wrong, yikes!

 

[modelengineer]

I have a comet duster 44 series cv but I find it adds a lot of weight and space so I'm
going to try the clutch first

Why? The torque convertor will be SO much better.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Good question. I'm building a dirt road kart with 13 hp and plan to use a centr.. clutch
I have a comet duster 44 series cv but I find it adds a lot of weight and space so I'm
going to try the clutch first. Of course I plan to be on mostly level ground and at half
to wide open throttle most of the time. The kart I'm building is fairly light so I hope it will
work. Tires are 16.5 and geared to 35 mph. I think the main problem will be spinning
tires. Kaptain's comment scares me because he knows what he's talking about but I hope I can prove him wrong, yikes!

You will probably be fine. I was specifically replying to his post, which stated that he had large tires, and was going to be off roading mainly. If your on levelish ground, with 16" tires, you'll be ok.