Which Engine!? 11HP w/ Torque converter or 125cc Clone??

[bgm94]

We welded a reverse trike frame from scratch and the frame weighs about 40lbs, frame/swing-arm only. We currently have an 11hp 346cc Harbor Engine and we were thinking of selling it to buy a 125cc lifan 4 speed. Which would be a better, faster choice for this kart.

Harbor Engine with Torque Converter
or
125 4 speed Lifan

 

[Bluethunder3320]

a air cooled 125 will probably have less power than the 11hp and TC. benefits of the 125 are, its more compact. lol. the 11hp+tc will make it fly.

lets see what anyone else has to say...


welcome to the forums!

 

[sexyvicta]

125 lifan will be way faster

 

[bgm94]

a air cooled 125 will probably have less power than the 11hp and TC. benefits of the 125 are, its more compact. lol. the 11hp+tc will make it fly.

lets see what anyone else has to say...


welcome to the forums!

Thanks for the welcome. i did forget to mention the 125 revs u to 7500rpm, so i was thinking gear it for low end and it will be pretty dang quick, but still be able to hit like 50 at the end of 4th

 

[daniel7250]

the lifan 125 would be alot faster. buying a semi auto would be best for a cart tho. they put out roughly 10hp at stock. buying a larger carb and a larger exhaust you gonna be pushing 12-13 hp.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Whenever using a motorcycle engine, you NEED to know the following-


Do not just think that the engine's RPM is what you're going to get at the output sprocket. It is not. Bike engines have a built in gear reduction between the engine and transmission. This reduction tends to be around 3:1. This is called the primary ratio, and should be listed in the specs. So while you think you're maxing at 7500rpm, you're only getting 2500-3000 at the sprocket.

That said, I'd still use the bike engine. Even though max RPM may be lower, your final drive ratio can be higher thanks to the multi-speed transmission. The transmission also allows much more efficient use of the engines available power band.