Go-Cart Transmission

[Phynx]

So I'm working on a summer project of making a fun little go-cart that will have a lot of utility to it. In light of the current gas problem I actually want to make a go-cart that I can drive to work. Not a town job but way out in the country about 20 miles away from my home and I am looking at getting around 50-75mph. I have a rebuilt decommissioned army generator engine, 4-cylinder, and 25hp. Now, 25hp isn't that much I know but I hear of people getting some high end carts to 120mph on 22hp engines so here's my question to you. Under the concept of a mountain bike's "tranny" system, if I had a much tougher duty sprocket set and chain all encased in a custom gearbox chassis, would it be an effective system to gain the speed I am looking for? It would run on a shifter system the same as a normal car does via custom linkages and cabling. Would this work???

[charless]

Re: Go-Cart Transmission

I've worked on a few go-karts myself and your statistics seem a little askew.

You're going to need AT LEAST a four-Stroke 650cc+ sized engine which'll produce ~20hp which is more than enough to get to 50-70mph. I would also recommend you either an LSD or lock-out differential for the transmission so your kart can make turns properly.

This is obviously going to take a lot of time and money. Why don't you just invest in a cheap bucket (crappy car)?

And uhh I used the electronic/chainless tranny. I believe it's a 2spd and it's direct drivetrain so it's a lot better than cable which you're describing.

[Phynx]

Re: Go-Cart Transmission

I've worked on a few go-karts myself and your statistics seem a little askew.

You're going to need AT LEAST a four-Stroke 650cc+ sized engine. I would also recommend you either an LSD or lock-out differential for the transmission.

This is obviously going to take a lot of time and money. Why don't you just invest in a cheap bucket (crappy car)?

Because I have a full aluminum cart frame with suspension, tires, and a steering system and the engine for free. So I'm just looking at a cheap, inexpensive transmission method that would work to get me to speed.

Also, I have a nice chevy truck that I love dearly but it only gets 12mpg... so I want something onroad/offroad of the go-cart variety that is complete fun to screw around on and to drive myself around.

[charless]

Re: Go-Cart Transmission

Spill a little more details about your shell, steering, and engine and I can help you when I get back from da club tonight.

[Phynx]

Re: Go-Cart Transmission

Spill a little more details about your shell, steering, and engine and I can help you when I get back from da club tonight.

As for the frame, it's a full roll cage with positions for 2 bucket seats, an acrylic windshield. It's pretty streamlined, I'll try to find a picture that is the closest example of its design. The frame and engine is out at the airport which we work out of so I can't give specific details on it right now but I'll definitely give more on things when I spec it out. As for the engine, what I have wrote is all I can say right now about it, again, I'll add more to the description after I check it out closer, I just don't remember all of it's specs.