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Author Topic: Anyone here into modding go-karts?  (Read 2600 times)

Offline 2jra65

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Anyone here into modding go-karts?
« on: Jan 12, 2018, 10:43:51 pm »
So I just picked up this baby with a brand new predator 212cc on the back! It has tons of tq but it needs to be about a foot longer for me, I'm 6'4". So tomorrow it's being extended!

Offline swan song

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Re: Anyone here into modding go-karts?
« Reply #1 on: Jan 13, 2018, 02:20:06 am »
Whattaya wanna know? My brother and I have hot rodded those harbor freight motors since we were kids. You’ll want to correct that steering rack so it has Ackerman principle built into it. Those racks are straight and SUCK for turning, even if you’re having fun. First thing to do to the engine is to mod the governor. DONT REMOVE IT! You’ll float valves at about 5000rpm. And that’s a good thing. Any higher and the flywheel WILL explode on you. You have to buy an aftermarket flywheel to cope with higher rpm. Find a Honda gx160 head and slap that on for instant compression gains. Straight pipe. Dremel port the head and port match the gaskets. THEN mod the carb. You can either drill out the main jet, or buy a 40$ aftermarket Walbro carb with a larger throat, depends on what your plugs read. You can also Index the plug too. Should cost about 100$ and double power output while also giving more top end, due to extended rpm
1985 celica GT , 191k.
Want a low budget LSD? http://www.celica-gts.com/forums/index.php?topic=29189.0

***COMPLETED!***1uzfe swap! Instant NA 250hp/260tq, For less than $1,500!

Offline 2jra65

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Re: Anyone here into modding go-karts?
« Reply #2 on: Jan 13, 2018, 02:43:27 am »
Thanks for all the info swan! How do you feel about centrifugal vs tq converter? I plan on turning it into a drift cart and sliding it around a bit so I really need the best throttle response that I can get, and since I'm about 210lbs I need to get the most power to the ground as possible. I'm looking forward to having a lot of fun with this thing.

Offline swan song

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Re: Anyone here into modding go-karts?
« Reply #3 on: Jan 13, 2018, 04:12:48 pm »
For drift, a regular centrifugal clutch will work. But, I would get a clutch that has a higher rpm engagement. It’ll narrow your useable band but you’ll gain some back when you mod the limiter. Second thing is to find two plastic buckets that just barely fit over the rear tires (some times this means getting different size rear tires.) U cut the buckets in half and put the pieces over the tires to make it ultra slick. Just like the rc car guys do to drift. It’s wicked fun. This way you can drift on pavement. Otherwise, your forced to drift on gravel and that saps power. You’ll start a drift, it’ll go great, and then the motor bogs when the tire digs into the dirt and then no mo drift and you’ve lost your momentum. That truly sucks. Have fun with it. Play with the gearing too. Top speed is for people that want to die in a go kart or attract cops. Acceleration is where the fun is. I gear all my stuff to 25mph. My pocket bike screams and does wheelies.
1985 celica GT , 191k.
Want a low budget LSD? http://www.celica-gts.com/forums/index.php?topic=29189.0

***COMPLETED!***1uzfe swap! Instant NA 250hp/260tq, For less than $1,500!

Offline 2jra65

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Re: Anyone here into modding go-karts?
« Reply #4 on: Jan 14, 2018, 12:45:33 am »
Thanks for the info, you should post your small motor projects man! So today I modified the kart to fit a 6'+ adult and it started by cutting the kart in half. I made a much stronger sub frame that ended up looking like a certain male organ. I joined the two half's together, relocated the beak and gas pedal and got it all sorted out. The kart is stupid fast when top speed is considered but I do want to gear it down so my next purchases for it will be a racing bucket seat for it and heavy duty clutch. Should be a blast!

Offline 2jra65

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Re: Anyone here into modding go-karts?
« Reply #5 on: Jan 14, 2018, 12:46:29 am »
Couple more photos, needs paint! Also those center pieces were both scrap that happened to fit up, there is a sizeable gap on the bottom but I had managed to fill most of it. The kart is pretty solid structurly.

Offline swan song

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Re: Anyone here into modding go-karts?
« Reply #6 on: Jan 14, 2018, 04:38:49 am »
Looking good man, good job on the fab. Makes me miss my old yerfdog buggy. Hey read this: https://affordablegokarts.com/pages/performance-basics
The company is out of business, but the articles are priceless.
1985 celica GT , 191k.
Want a low budget LSD? http://www.celica-gts.com/forums/index.php?topic=29189.0

***COMPLETED!***1uzfe swap! Instant NA 250hp/260tq, For less than $1,500!

Offline danf

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Re: Anyone here into modding go-karts?
« Reply #7 on: Jan 14, 2018, 04:21:19 pm »
Ironically, I just watched these a few days ago (Big Block Go-Karts  :spiteful:):

Part 1

Part 2

Not the same, but entertaining.  :heh: :heh: :heh:
SELECT celica FROM toyota WHERE year<=1985;

1985 GT-S
-Rebuilt engine: bored .020 over, oversize valves, new cam
-Thorley header w/heated O2 sensor at collector & all new exhaust
-Impact6 strut bar
-3.9LSD rearend, which is now slipping
-Lots of bodywork and new paint!
-New cd player to cover up all those squeaks and rattles
-JK short-throw shifter


Offline 2jra65

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Re: Anyone here into modding go-karts?
« Reply #8 on: Jan 15, 2018, 12:33:36 am »
Lol, those guys get a bit carried away. Everything on the kart has been sorted, just waiting on a real seat and smaller tires!

Offline danf

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Re: Anyone here into modding go-karts?
« Reply #9 on: Jan 15, 2018, 03:48:41 am »
Lol, those guys get a bit carried away. Everything on the kart has been sorted, just waiting on a real seat and smaller tires!

Yeah, it was a bit off topic. I kind of like the idea they had, just shorter wheelbase haha.
SELECT celica FROM toyota WHERE year<=1985;

1985 GT-S
-Rebuilt engine: bored .020 over, oversize valves, new cam
-Thorley header w/heated O2 sensor at collector & all new exhaust
-Impact6 strut bar
-3.9LSD rearend, which is now slipping
-Lots of bodywork and new paint!
-New cd player to cover up all those squeaks and rattles
-JK short-throw shifter


Offline 2jra65

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Re: Anyone here into modding go-karts?
« Reply #10 on: Jan 15, 2018, 01:28:57 pm »
I think adding rediculous engines into tiny vehicles is always a great idea... Shoot if I got a good deal on anything 400cc to a liter it would be in that kart in a heartbeat.

Offline 2jra65

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Re: Anyone here into modding go-karts?
« Reply #11 on: Jan 20, 2018, 01:52:26 am »
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10213281460022565&id=1579181571

Added smaller tires and wow! This thing is nuts! Can't wait to get some PVC on the tires and take it to some parking lots I know... Still waiting on a seat for it with adjustable rails to arrive. I've convinced myself that the governor needs to be removed and that some intake, exhaust, jet, valve spring and flywheel mods need to happen. it's pretty cheap fun, 10/10 would recommend.

Offline swan song

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Re: Anyone here into modding go-karts?
« Reply #12 on: Jan 20, 2018, 03:04:16 am »
Hey I did some research after we talked about cent. clutch versus CvT. And the conclusion is that since drifting will wear out a CC or CVT prematurely, a cheap CC is the way to go since it lasts a little longer and is more easily replaced. The CVT will glaze belts and take a moment to regain its place in the kart speed versus shaft speed when you regain grip.
1985 celica GT , 191k.
Want a low budget LSD? http://www.celica-gts.com/forums/index.php?topic=29189.0

***COMPLETED!***1uzfe swap! Instant NA 250hp/260tq, For less than $1,500!

Offline 2jra65

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Re: Anyone here into modding go-karts?
« Reply #13 on: Jan 20, 2018, 03:16:49 am »
Yeah that seemed to be the general consensus, I ended up picking up a cheap cc from rural King "Oregon Max tq" ... Anyways it locks up pretty good so I'm happy with it, I just keep it floored with no babying the pedal, should last a little bit.. and I'm keeping the bronze bushing oiled.

Offline 2jra65

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