Torque converter vs semi-auto

[Johnnyboy]

Hey guys,
The title pretty much says it all. I'm looking at purchasing another Kart and I'm wondering, what are the advantages and disadvantages of each system other than having to manually shift one of them. Does either perform better than the other off-road?

On a separate note, I'm confused about the correlation between engine size and power output. It seems like all of the yerf dog gx150s I see perform better off-road than my Manco Rattler. I don't know how this is possible considering that the Manco has 50cc larger engine and is much lighter. Is there something about the engines on buggy style karts that make them better for off-road use?
Thanks,
Johnnyboy

 

[Half-breeder]

In short... preference and design...

In long... Gears (manual) are 'handy' especially when hauling larger weight around. Each gear is designated to perform/reach a certain performance/rpm and hold its power transfer steady, where as its hard/next to impossible to 'hold steady' a TCs power/torque transfer. For off road, gearing is very handy seeing as that all the power is directed to 1 gear/rpm at a time vs a TC which is variant and its ratio/gearing is dependent on the drag and terrain for torque value. The geared/manual is dependent on the drag and HP, for torque value.

IMO, geared is superior to a TC... but it's preference is dependent per person. "Some" folk dont like 'changing gears'... (some gearheads call them 'girls'... )

Asfar as engine size and power output (Im guessing you speak of CC's vs actual HP)... compression ratio(amount of air being compressed in the cylinder/head) adds HP (be it a 2 or 4 cycle engine). Also, the amount of fuel/air being run through it adds to HP. Theres afew other things that affect HP like fuel type (the more compression, the higher obtain needed), cam allowances (how long the cam allows the valves to be opened), amongst a whole # of things that would just confuse a new comer to the fuel/fire/momentum hobby.

... but outta all this... just remember this key phrase... "Gearing is the key."

 

[MadManAndrew]

I'm assuming your manco has a standard clone motor which revs to 3600 stock and typically is direct drive severely limiting speed, while gy6 engines on Yerf-dogs rev much higher and have multispeed transmissions. A semi-auto will almost always have a larger drive ratio range than a tc, so if you don't mind shifting it's always advantageous.

 

[Johnnyboy]

gy6 engines on Yerf-dogs rev much higher and have multispeed transmissions.

I thought they used the standard comet torque converter

 

[landuse]

I thought they used the standard comet torque converter

Gy6 engines have their own build in cvt

 

[Johnnyboy]

Gy6 engines have their own build in cvt

Is this system more efficient. I'm still confused as to how these karts put out the power they do.

 

[MadManAndrew]

Gy6 engines have their own build in cvt

Which ones is it that come standard with semi-autos then? I could have sworn it was yerf-dogs.

 

[Johnnyboy]

Which ones is it that come standard with semi-autos then? I could have sworn it was yerf-dogs.

Mostly the chinese karts sold online.