Which engine to go with.

[brandonhuston]

hey guys, i am new to this as it is my first post. I am buying a cart from a buddy of mine and it does not run. it is in need of a motor. i am trying to find the best bang for the buck. i found some 420-440cc 16hp engines made by lifan, duromax, predator, and also clone engines. the ones i have found range from 280-450 dollars. i want it to be pretty fast but also reliable. what do yall recommend? i will also try and attach some pictures of what i am working with. thanks!

 

[Russ2251]

i want it to be pretty fast...

?
Size does not equal speed.
To use the engines sizes you listed, mods to frame will likely have to be made.
There are engines that will bolt up to frame without any changes.

 

[itsid]

?
There are engines that will bolt up to frame without any changes.

... and outperform any predator or other industrial engine in a blink of an eye

I say get a nice 100cc two stroke or if you want to spend the money, a 125cc shifter (still two stroke)

'sid

 

[brandonhuston]

after reading a bit. youre absolutely right! so which engines do you recommend? also those 2 stroke motors, could you attach a link so i can see what youre talking about! thanks guys!

 

[itsid]

hm, I assume you don't want to spend a ton of money (read 1000++)
So how about a 100cc tkm for example:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/go-kart-engine-/271495285856?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f36614c60

this one comes with clutch, carb and ignition, so you're pretty much complete.

if you want to rebuild yourself..
then this yamaha kt100 is a good offer:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RACING-GO-K...her_Vehicle_Parts&hash=item3ce16951fd&vxp=mtr


performance kart engines like that can be quite expensive.
And they need to be serviced regularly!
(Some need a complete rebuild after every 4hrs of racing time)

So, those engines will be a money pit in the end.
But provide a scary amount of fun

Most racing karts are made for engines like that.

I don't know what you're after and what you're willing to spend,
but if it's "just some fun" and "not too much";
then find yourself a 125cc motorbike and use that engine, that'll be a cheap(-er), (more-) reliable
and a (/n almost as-) powerful option.

say an aprilia 125cc rotax off a af futura or RS125 for example,
or a Honda NSR 125 engine.. something like that.
I'm sure you'll find something if you keep looking around.

'sid

 

[brandonhuston]

thank you so much for your long and detailed reply!
i am completely new to this as i know very little about go karts, motorcycles, etc.
but i believe you have me sold on the thought of a small motorcycle engine, and i believe it would be the right amount of (fun) muahaha.
i am very mechanically inclined as i built several cars including my own bmw z3.
so i feel as with a little instruction that i can handle this project without to much of a problem. id like to find an engine that is fairly common and easy to find parts for. i guess ill just have to keep looking around on the internet until i find an engine that is available.

 

[brandonhuston]

so i picked up the cart today, it has a 5.5hp briggs that will be removed shortly, im going to prep the whole frame for paint and order me a motor. im looking for a 2 stroke 125cc engine trans etc. any links would be appreciated.

 

[B.M.800]

Does the briggs run? Rip around with that a little bit before you decide your move... if only for the fun of it. Believe me, its fun even if your only going 20mph haha.

 

[brandonhuston]

yes supposedly the briggs has been rebuilt. and as i was inspecting it, it has a huge aftermarket carburetor, and also the gearing on it is insane. i bet this thing would go 55. just based on the sprocket sizing. i have another briggs 5.5 i am going to remove the gas tank and other parts off of in order to get this thing to run. just for fun. but i have found a complete yz85 engine online. and it comes with everything i need pretty much. it has very low time on the engine. you can still see the cross hatch on the cylinder wall, and also the marks on the piston. it compression tested 165psi. so its a great fresh motor for me to use at a good 500 price.

 

[exenos]

Good choice, you will actually be able to use all the power that the engine produces.

 

[brandonhuston]

exenos, are you saying "good choice" about buying the yamaha yz85 engine or about the briggs?

 

[exenos]

The Yamaha. Its a good size to have fun without going overkill.

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

 

[brandonhuston]

thats good to hear!
i ordered the yz85 today. and also got the briggs motor running.
it would not start at all, even after i cleaned the carburetor.
i figured it had a blown head gasket because it seemed to lack compression. but it turned out the valve springs were adjusted to tight, and it was loosing all compression through a left opened valve. so i loosened them a tad bit and now it runs and drives like a champ! i just cant wait for my 2 stroke to come in!!

 

[bamajoe]

A friend of mine built a cart with a 80cc 2 stroke off a Suzuki.. It was bloody fast and insane to drive..! He had some problems getting it geared correctly tho..

 

[brandonhuston]

that is kindof what i was worried about. as far as the sprockets go. care to post some pics bamajoe? im also from bama.

 

[bamajoe]

Don't have any pics.. It was a couple years ago. I think he sold it since... I think he started out using the stock sprockets from the bike but with the wheel size differences it was gear WAY to low.. You had to take off in 3rd and it would still spin. When he got it right it was way to fast for the kart it was on which was a standard yerfdog he had widened.
Where in bama are you?

 

[brandonhuston]

ahh okay. and i am from the huntsville area. northern alabama. i got the yz85 in today, i need to buy a motor mount for it, they come in different sizes depending on the frame.
30 or 32mm by 90 or 92mm. i measure by frame and got 30mm by 75mm. i am lost.. anybody have a clue?

 

[itsid]

measure the framerails outside to outside to get the proper width..
if possible use a caliper for both measurements.
if it's neither 90 nor 92 report back.

'sid

 

[brandonhuston]

alright so i measured from outside to outside with a dial caliper and got 102mm.

 

[itsid]

now that's unfortunate...
102 - 30 is indeed 72 mm

please measure again at at least three different spots;
and at the same three spots, both rails individually (side to side, not top to bottom!)
if you're not missing 20mm somewhere,

I have no idea where to find a mount for that..
wait.. maybe anderkart can point you in the right direction...
he knows much more about race karts than I ever could.


'sid