What is needed to build a GSXR1000 sgifter kart?

[KartNooby]

I'm looking into "Gixxer Karts" and would like to know how to build one. I found a deal on craigslist and can get the GSXR1000 engine for $500.

http://images.craigslist.org/3G93Fb3Hf5G45Ef5Jbd1626b4ca416e371a5b.jpg

Also saw a frame that looks like its ready to got for $700. (He is going to throw in a kt100 engine and a bunch of spare parts).

http://images.craigslist.org/3M13N43H45I15G65Kdd1a52f76cc5aad71bcb.jpg

Will this frame work? I want a frame that require little to know actual modificication. I will also be buying this welder ($360) since i will probably have to extended the frame.

http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/1647951_lg.jpg

So far im in the hole about $1660. I don't really want to spend that much but i can if i have to. What else is needed to make this work? I saw some people say it can be done for around 1000. What are your opinions?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

My opinion is that if you're planning on putting that much engine into a go kart, you should not be very concerned about what it's going to cost you. Your life depends on having the best of everything, put together in the best way possible.

Do you have any welding/fabrication experience?

Welcome to the forum!

 

[KartNooby]

No welding or fabrication experience but i was going to practice before i started. Just really wanted to know if that frame will work.

 

[muddydigger]

You need to use the best stuff you can afford on the kart. Front brakes is a must and one of the most expensive items to buy for a kart. Unfortunatly too many people start doing a project like this and start with an old dunga kart, which is just plain stupid. With Potentially 100+ HP to 150kgs the power to weight ratio is past most Ferraris, so make sure you have the best under you or it will hurt you. This I am afraid is not somehting you learn to weld on. If you must build it, them fine, tack it together and then get some one weld it properly. Secondly you have to extend the frame, again this is an area people skimp on, The frame is made of Chrome-molly pipe so use Chrome-molly when extending the frame also, its lighter bu t far stronger than mild steal and has some flex in it.
I am doing one my self, not a 1000cc but 250cc but all the principles are the same. You should be able to find it under Damos Ninja kart.

 

[DaiSan76]

If you want to put too much engine into a kart you should go with a snowmobile engine. Much less overbuilding will be required, and it will still be more power than you can use. There is a reason there are only a handful of liter bike engines in go karts, you simply cannot channel that much power through a 10 inch tire. If you're stuck on a bike engine, go for a Ninja 500 at the most.

 

[r97]

[RANT]

IMO, anything above 250cc in a go kart is pointless aside from the fact that you can then brag that you have a 1 liter go kart. An engine that big will eat kart tires, weigh a lot, require frame modifications that will mess with the handeling, and overall make a very dangerous machine. A proper 250cc shifter kart should be able to exceed 100mph, I would say that is plenty fast for an inch of the ground.

[/RANT]

That said, you can still use that engine for something, but keep in mind the cost of all the parts that may not be included, and the cost to fix any problems it may have. An engine like that is best suited for a mini buggy. Here are a few places that you could buy plans if you are interested. Choose plans carefully,
http://www.protodie.com/
http://edge.au.com/
http://www.ubuilditplans.com/SII.html
http://www.badlandbuggy.com/
http://www.desertkarts.com/productCat23857.ctlg
http://www.rorty-design.com/content/rorty_racing.htm

The buggies will be a lot more expensive, but safer, and able to take advantage of the power that engine has to offer. If you are truly interested in a go kart, please do yourself a favor and keep the engine size at 250cc or less (single cylinder is best, but a twin might work). Also be sure to get a professionally built chassis that doesn't need major modifications to fit the engine, or four wheel brakes, etc.

 

[OzFab]

a 1 litre engine on a standard sprint kart is completely nuts!

Without trying to contradict anyone, IMO, there's another option: something between a go kart & a formula car; an oversized go kart if you will. Probably the main reason no one suggested this is because parts will most likely be expensive & difficult to find.

IMHO, a sportsbike engine is wasted in an off road buggy; the main reason they are used is for the potential available speed they can produce but, can you really use all that speed in off road conditions? I'm not talking about the Baja or Dakar rally, just your standard, everyday blat around the paddock...

 

[Doc Sprocket]

blat

Blat? LOL. Funny word to me.

That said, I totally agree.

 

[r97]

a 1 litre engine on a standard sprint kart is completely nuts!

Without trying to contradict anyone, IMO, there's another option: something between a go kart & a formula car; an oversized go kart if you will. Probably the main reason no one suggested this is because parts will most likely be expensive & difficult to find.

IMHO, a sportsbike engine is wasted in an off road buggy; the main reason they are used is for the potential available speed they can produce but, can you really use all that speed in off road conditions? I'm not talking about the Baja or Dakar rally, just your standard, everyday blat around the paddock...

Maybe something like a Formula SAE car? I believe they often use inline 4 600cc sport-bike engines. Unfortunately I think that something like that would require a good bit of knowledge on chassis design, suspension geometry, steering geometry, etc. If the OP is up to it I would love to see it, but it would be a very advanced project if you were to do it correctly.

Through the paddock, and tight woods trails I completely agree that the large rev-happy inline 4 sport-bike engines are not really being taken full advantage of. That is partially why I'm planning to run a 550cc V-twin in my buggy. I'm hoping for low down grunt similar to a single cylinder, but with a bit more top end for the fire roads.

That said, a huge majority of the mini buggy owners-in the USA at least-use their buggies almost exclusively in the wide open desert. Hauling 3/4 of a ton of metal and people up sand dunes at speeds above 60 mph is a good fit for a top-end focused, large displacement engine. These engines are also readily available, which certainly doesn't hurt.

 

[gixxerkart]

You will die if you *somehow* manage to pull this off. Its Pretty simple:
If you have to ask how to do this, it means you dont know how to weld/fabricate safely. You might as well be asking if you can put a 12,000hp rocket engine in a Buick and drive it around town.
Start small. Put in that kt motor, and see what you think. If its too "slow" comeback and ask us more about a gixxerkart.
Wanna know how I know this stuff? What's my name?

 

[gixxerkart]

Btw, 700$ for a tony kart WITH a kt100 is a heck of a deal.

 

[OzFab]

Maybe something like a Formula SAE car? I believe they often use inline 4 600cc sport-bike engines. Unfortunately I think that something like that would require a good bit of knowledge on chassis design, suspension geometry, steering geometry, etc. If the OP is up to it I would love to see it, but it would be a very advanced project if you were to do it correctly.

Indeed, I wouldn't attempt it without the guidance of an engineer

Through the paddock, and tight woods trails I completely agree that the large rev-happy inline 4 sport-bike engines are not really being taken full advantage of. That is partially why I'm planning to run a 550cc V-twin in my buggy. I'm hoping for low down grunt similar to a single cylinder, but with a bit more top end for the fire roads.

True, most sportsbike engines just want to rev their nuts off but, the trailbike engines are built for torque, not revs. That's why most builders go for those engines.

I can see that 550 V-twin putting out bucket loads of torque but not revving too hard which, as you said, is exactly what you want...

That said, a huge majority of the mini buggy owners-in the USA at least-use their buggies almost exclusively in the wide open desert. Hauling 3/4 of a ton of metal and people up sand dunes at speeds above 60 mph is a good fit for a top-end focused, large displacement engine. These engines are also readily available, which certainly doesn't hurt.

Lots of desert in Massachusetts is there?

 

[r97]

Ha! Luckily not, sandstorms, extreme heat, barren landscapes, and dry air form my idea of torture. At heart I'm a mountain boy, rock cliffs, snow storms, forests, rivers, and ski slopes are my kind of thing. If only I didn't live in the flattest, sandiest, least snow covered part of Massachusetts... At least the states best high school is here, so it's worth my while.

Oops... I went off on a bit of a tangent there , back on topic if the OP still has questions.

 

[GregMartin]

I've seen these engines in purpose built hill climb open wheelers. They are normally about the size of a formula ford with wings and slicks. They are normally built by people with racing car engineering experience and they go like a shower of sh1t.