How do i build a go cart

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Hi my name is chris spring ... i have gought a 3.5 hp lawnmower engin and i am wondering how to build a simple off road go cart...Nothing to fancyjust enough to run it well and with some good speed.....and also ... if any of you can show me how a clutch works ... email me a pick of a clutch.......... like tell me what i need to make a go cart and what to do........ THANk YOU

-- Chris S (springc10@hotmail.com), January 09, 2003

Answers

Hello i read your question and i think i can help you. Whhat you will need to build a go-kart is a chassis,engine,wheels,clutch and a few gears. If you are looking at getting a clutch you need a "centrifical clutch" of the gear on the clutch run the chain which transfers power to the rear wheels.

-- n/a (N_hub@hotmail.com), January 15, 2003.

3.5 hp, try to get a bigger mottor, a rotter tiller, the benifits with one is the horizontol drive shaft, not verticle like a lawn mower,

-- ryan pagan (ryan_pagan@hotmail.com), February 10, 2003.

I am actually in the middle of building a gocart myself. I just got hold of a weldinig machine, so i'll try to make a frame as well. I read somewhere else to try to just use 45 degree angle gears go.

-- Eric (yodude427@yahoo.com), March 18, 2003.

try to get at least a 8-12 hp motor and a big set of mudd tires and then take the governer off and then set the idle higher to take off better then take off the rev limiter.

-- stephanie lynn kirkham (tommyhl46@aol.com), April 03, 2003.

use something to bore out the cilinder

-- cody l (cod098@hotmail.com), April 07, 2003.


well first of all is your motor up on it's ass end or is it on it's belly? your gonna need a motor that is upright (on it's ass end) so that you can get the chain from the crank to the axle. your going to have to invest in a little centrifical clutch. Tip: bigger sprocket on the clutch and smaller on the axle will make you go faster. e-mail me and i'll give you some more tips.

-- Jack Frost (The_vampire_reddemer85@hotmail.com), April 08, 2003.

Putting a larger sprocket on the crankshaft of the motor, and a smaller one on the axel of the kart is a commonly made mistake. While it does make sense, that having a larger gear on the engine than on the axel would increase the overall speed of the kart (One turn of the engine shaft being 2 or 3 turns of the axel), It will put excess strains on the engine at low rpm, which will extremely slow acceleration. For best results, put a smaller gear on the engine, and a larger gear on the axel, ussually in the ratio of (6:1)( meaning that if the small sprocket has 6 spikes, the larger one needs to be (6 X 6) = [36] spikes.

-- Kyle Wagner (kjwagster69@aol.com), April 10, 2003.

ummm, to the second last entry - NO! Obviously you only think you know how to do it and havn't actualy tried it. If you put a bigger sprocket on the crank and a smaller one on the axle, you'll just sit on the spot revving the engine and eventually the clutch will fry or something will stop working. For such a low powered engine, you need a sprocket on the crank that's MUCH bigger than the axle sprocket. I suggest more than 5 times bigger. P.S duh the wheels can go faster if they have a smaller sprocket - if the cart is up on blocks.

-- bucky smith (bucky_the_punk@hotmail.com), May 01, 2003.

the last guy to answer is a total retard..if you have a 3.5 hp engine,1:5(1 turn on the crankshaft=5 turns of the axle) is waaaaay to much of a high ratio for the little hp engine...you should go with a 6:1 or 5:1..this will take a lot of strain off of your engine and clutch...especially if youre building an offroad cart.i would suggest getting a bigger engine than a 3.5 though...and if you can find a motor cycle scrap yard,you can use an engine and trans from a dirt bike/4 wheeler and get some really kick ass power from it and a lot of fun.i have built a yard kart with a 150cc 2 stroke yamaha engine and 5 speed trans and it hauled ass!!!!!good luck,nate

-- nate sanders (mulletcar83@attbi.com), May 01, 2003.

Keep it up guys I'm laughing and chuckling along with ya...This is like slow scan TV version of Ralph Cramden (Jackie Gleason)and his buddy downstairs.

-- Les Hutter (leshutter@netzero.net), August 04, 2003.


I also want to make one with a lawnmower engine. Isnt there any way u can make it without puting in gears and other things i just want step on the gas and go and i dont care if its slow.

-- Ralf Becks (ralfwilliams@telkomsa.net), August 06, 2003.

ya i'm also in the midst of designing a go-cart with the same size engine. i have a simple relatively cheap design for a clutch (if your interested send me an e-mail). i'm cutting a bike in half and using a bike with rapid fire style shifting. if i can get the gearing right, it should be able to accelerate fine with such a small engine, and have a decent top speed. i need help reducing weight and shortening the chassis, so if anybody has a chassis design i'd love to see it. thanks, Alex.

-- alex gibbs (axelerate_this@hotmail.com), August 26, 2003.

yeah i have a kx 250 engine and trany off a dirt bike. and i was wondering if anybody could help me find some info on installing it onto a road race go cart i would like to find plans and the sizes of the frame of the go cart too. if any body could help me that would be great.

-- Adam j (fastvw04@aol.com), September 02, 2003.

i need to no how to make a go cart so if you no what to do email me

-- s (shannymac2001@yahoo.com), September 05, 2003.

hi can u tell me how to build a go cart cos i dont no who if u could dat would be great

-- troy hodson (mazda_boy2003@hotmail.com), September 08, 2003.


can you put a v-6 in a go-cart? how big dose the frame got to be?

-- david cole (crazychin4@yahoo.com), September 17, 2003.

what is a governer and how do you remove it

-- dan (rammerman450@yahoo.com), October 22, 2003.

I think that all of these poeple that made responses are fucking stupid. None of you know anyhitng about an engine, so dont take their advice kid. I was on the junkyard wars show, and i know everything you need to know about an engine. So if you need help e- mail me.

-- matheius moffienator (moffie89@yahoo.com), October 26, 2003.

SHutup!

-- noit a chance (shutup@yahoooo.com), October 29, 2003.

like you get steel and rubber and stuff

-- christopher matthewson (matthewson@eircom.nrt), November 30, 2003.

i have a 94 v6 pontiac moter with fuel injection would that work for a go cart? if not i think im gona put it in my jeep? hehehheheheh more offroad power it is like a 4.0 liter and my jeep is 2.8 wagoneer so 4.0 is beTTARRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!! CAuse MaE ArE wEAnAR!!!! i will so win that race that is tonight if i go and put that engine in right now oh how long does it take to put an engine in the race is in 2 hours so i will have it done by then right! ok ive never done this before so i dont know can someone come to NY and help me with this my address is 123 urdumbfortryingthis blvd. its like right outside of New York, Ny so thanks bye bye bye

lalalallallaallallalalalalalalalaalalalallaalala

-- retard (123Dumbfor@tryingthis.com), December 04, 2003.


You are all fucking retards!

-- . (d@d.com), February 01, 2004.

Well I am building a go cart with an 18 1/2 hp Wisconson Power washer engine. I got everything I need. one thing also is I do have a horizontal shaft and I got a centrificle clutch and I am using a seat an X seat belt from a Nissan 240SX from this dudes car. I think I need a new drive shaft though cause my shit keeps messin up. I'm out!

-- B-Rhyme (bbillington@columbus.rr.com), February 09, 2004.

buy a jack shaft drive system. go to wal mart and buy a (cheap) centrifical clutch, the roller chain to match it, and use the 5:1 or 6:1 ratio advised before. if you don't know anything about how adjust the speed, then start out buying the cheaper parts. You're gonna tear it up anyway. what's the point in buiding it. to test it to it critical point

-- slim (brocklockhart@hotmail.com), February 13, 2004.

What you do is you just tilt the wheel a little bit.

-- Dean Mark Smith (monkeyfart@hotmail.com), March 02, 2004.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA???????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????

-- monica ortiz (monica89@Reachone.com), March 25, 2004.

You guys are all retarted and don't know what the fuck you are talking about.

-- Joe Miller (go_fuck_your_self@yahoo.com), April 07, 2004.

joe miller stfu fag these poeple know they can build it u jsut shut ur fucking face u queer its cuz u cant build anything fagget go get ur mom to help u pussy.

-- davey (idunnodavey@hotmail.com), April 10, 2004.

Find a industrial snow blower. The ones with like 4 to 8 hp and are self propelled. This is where youll get most of your parts. Youll get 2 wheels, an engine and a drive shaft. The snowblower have different speed for the self propell. They use two wheels. One with rubber on it and one with plain metal. The rubber wheel is perpendicular to the other wheel. The rubber wheel moves back and forith so it is like changing gears. Then The wheel will rise of so it will act as a clutch. This is how our go cart is. Its made of thick pvc pipe. It has a 4 hp engine and goes 35 mph and accelerates good. It will take alot of enginuity but will work very well.

-- andrew mozer (mozerman88@yahoo.com), April 14, 2004.

Hey I want to build a go cart and i do know how to mig and arc weld,the thing is i found an old junkyard and picked up an old riding lawn mower (with no engine) so theres plenty of rotortillers and snowblowers and lawn mowers in there, my friends tell me i need to sprockets (1 small 1 big)and the frame and all that crap...but i honestly dont know how to do all the gear stuff...my shop teacher said he would help, this is where im doin this, at the school shop..so could you give me some tips on what I need or how to do the complicated things.

-- bob (mulner_80@hotmail.com), April 15, 2004.

Hey, I found an old riding lawn mower (no engine) I know how to Mig and arc weld...Im wondering which i should get, an old rotortiller, snowblower, or lawn mower...cuz theres plenty of them in a junkyard nearby...my shop teacher said he would help and i could build it so could you give me some tips on what I need or any mechanical information...about the smaller and bigger sprocket, and stuff.

-- tanjo (tanner_the_hammer@hotmail.com), April 15, 2004.

don't listen to any of these retards go find you a real mechanic not any of these nerds that live in front of their computer.

-- josh (igotyour mom@yourbedroom.net), April 15, 2004.

Ya i kinda figured that out...haha Ill just get some help from a cuople of my friends that know lots about mechanical stuff. But hey if any one does know lots about this kinda stuff tell me and if your a nerd who doesnt know anything then...get a life.Ha i never never even knew these kinda chat rooms exsisted.

-- tanjo (tanner_the_hammer@hotmail.com), April 16, 2004.

I have been looking into building a go-cart for a while, but my engine broke and i don't have a welder. So, how the hell do i build one, i'd like a dirtbike or tiller engine. if anyone has any plans or ideas email me. thanks

-- mike f (m1keman1155@aol.com), April 16, 2004.

Hey I want to build a go cart and i do know how to mig and arc weld,the thing is i found an old junkyard and picked up an old riding lawn mower (with no engine) so theres plenty of rotortillers and snowblowers and lawn mowers in there, my friends tell me i need to sprockets (1 small 1 big)and the frame and all that crap...but i honestly dont know how to do all the gear stuff...my shop teacher said he would help, this is where im doin this, at the school shop..so could you give me some tips on what I need or how to do the complicated things. Peace

-- bob (mulner_80@hotmail.com), April 18, 2004.

Hey I want to build a go cart and i do know how to mig and arc weld,the thing is i found an old junkyard and picked up an old riding lawn mower (with no engine) so theres plenty of rotortillers and snowblowers and lawn mowers in there, my friends tell me i need to sprockets (1 small 1 big)and the frame and all that crap...but i honestly dont know how to do all the gear stuff...

-- nick (wash_yur_face@hotmail.com), May 02, 2004.

i will tell yu the answer to everything, why yu may ask, becuz i am jesus, and i drive a go kart, and my ass iz happy, so plz email me in heaven, yu know beyond the cloudz, i have a go kart with a badass prototype engine that iz propelled by my hamster, hamtaro. it has a phone booth in it becuz my secret identity is superman.

-- noodles in my box (my ass iz happy@gotrice.net), May 17, 2004.

hey guyz sorry about jesus he waz smoking weed and he made those posts, thiz iz his father darth vader, i mean god, oh shit, i gave out my secret identity

-- noodles in yur box (my ass iznt happy@gotrice.net), May 17, 2004.

yu know what, fuck it. im gonna send yu all pics of my men in black mind deleter device i got in my happy meal, juzt gaze at yur screen for about 5 minz

-- noodles in my box (my ass iz happy@gotrice.net), May 17, 2004.

To the guy's with the lawnmower, U already have a go cart in the mower itself just slap a 3.5hp lawnmower engine on the front ( this may require u to drill holes, be prepared to modify stuff.) Put any kind of pulley u have lying around on it that will fit. Then put one about 2 inches in dia. larger on the transmission. it won’t have a Outstanding top speed (I built one like this I can top out at 15- 20mph) but this is real fun to drive off road and threw mud, u can change to lower gears threw mud and higher gears on level ground. I have one with a 16hp engine and a 1 to 1 gear ratio it tops out at a surprising 40mph without the governor. The only problem is that they are easy to flip :-). If anyone wants more info e-mail me. Npntransistor@aol.com

-- Kevin R (npntransistor@aol.com), May 18, 2004.

What a useless waist of webspace...

-- No Name (your@email.com), May 22, 2004.

help me im 14 have all the tools i could ever need i want a two wheele drive go kart i have 3 0ne wheele drive frames and 2 kawaski 5 hp motors

-- taylor harper (taylor _harper5@hotmail.com), June 10, 2004.

noodles in a box u r such a fucking idiot someone should slap the fuck out of u you stupid little fuck go fuck your moms nasty ass you stupit piece of shit motherfucker

-- noodles blows penis (noodles in my box blowes penis@noodles moms pussy.com), June 12, 2004.

hey kiddie learn how to spell wheel and i might just help you out ohh and for the rest of you dont use a fucking lawnmower engine! just find and old moped and fix her up

-- fubar (ask ur mom and while ur at it tell her to stop changing her lipstick my cocks lookin like a rainbow@hotmail.com), June 16, 2004.

i shall give you the exact gear ratio needed to get good Acceleration with a 3.5 HP engin and i'll even put up the wheel diameter i got the info from and also a top speed for the power you got: top speed 20 MPH. Worst acceleration seen in the go cart world. 6.4:1 gear ratio. wheel diameter 12". that's a sad go cart if you ask me. you need at least 6 HP 8HP would be good. if you really want to use the 3.5 HP engine use a torqu-a-verter it vaeries the gear ratio as speed increases so you get good acceleration and high top speed.

-- Gollum (squishee@aol.com), June 17, 2004.

P.S. if you put on a 40cc chainsaw engine with a gear ratio of 18.5 to one you get much better acceleration and a top speed of 25MPH that's if you weigh 180 lbs if you weigh 210 your acceleration is decreased by about 11% that's if your go cart is very very light 60 LBS or under if it's heavier your acceleration goes down.

-- Gollum (squishee@aol.com), June 17, 2004.

fuck you all

-- osama yo mamma (tittie@rubber.yo-mom), June 19, 2004.

c'mon is this really neccesary? you need a life dude, outside of insulting people and making stupid comments. thank you for you'r cooperation.

-- Gollum (squishee@aol.com), June 21, 2004.

ok i need to know were the hell i can find a 3 speed trans ive been looking but cant find it ive been racing the real stuff for 3 months and now i wont to piss of my neighobors and well my freind is making one so i have tooo im only 16 i need something to do gas is to much so plz if you know were i can find a tran for a 8-16hp motor because i dont know the motor i wont but i need prices too o ya if you fuck with my ill blow your head off ive been hunting all my life play paintball airsoft and street race my 240sx so im not a dumbass plz help dont be a ass?

-- DC (sniperofdeath2000@yahoo.com), June 22, 2004.

for any of you guys who can't weld, just drill a few holes & stick a nut & bolt in the holes.

i could have thought of that a long time ago!?!

-- Like max man dude (i dont have@one.max), June 26, 2004.


I want to build a go cart trike (like a three wheeler). Can I make the frame out of thick PVC pipe?

-- (Yusuck@donkeys.com), June 28, 2004.

lol.... lawnmower engines are not built to propell a cart... i have a go cart, with a frame i made myself out of PVC, really simple, a bucket seat from a wrecked accord v6 and a 30 horse 2-stoke yamaha dirt bike from probably 1985.. reoworked and cleaned out this motor really moves this cart.. i attached a peice of metal about 2 inches from the wheel and installed a bicycle brake system on the front tires, the line eventually running over the frame and down the hollow pvc to a brake pedal, gas pedal also is very simple, push it down and it opens the intake thus spinning engine.. i use a 1:6 FINAL 3rd gear ratio and it runs amazing... i used a little creative thought and have what i call a launch bar.. a lever right beside the shifter (which ill get to in a second) looks like an emercency brakes, which it could be... whel pulled up a large piece of metal decendes to the ground, sorta like landing gear, lifting the rear wheels about 1 1/2 inch off the ground, because of the gear ratio acceleration is difficult for the engine, so i rev it up and drop the bar, the wheels are already spinning, so when they hit the ground i take care of those pre 5 m.p.h accel. woes.. nice eh? now the shifter is the coolest part.. VERY simple, i took a short-throw shifter out of an old pontiac feiro, which i .. aquired... from a local scrap yard.. now i have this set up for two gears. simple, just different sized rotors from a bicycle.. .. the hurst has two postions, low and high, high obviously used for higher speeds and uses a 1:6 ratio, the low a 1:3. seems strange that even the low gear is not perfect for acceleration, but thats taken car of.. in low i get maybe 20 m.p.h, i weigh 150ish, so takes OK for when im offroading.. when i know ill need higher speed ill use the 1:6 and get well over 55, i dont have time to drive along side a car, so im not sure, but ive timed in my head block to block at 55-60, then top speed in the cart, kinda inaccurate but easily within 5m.p.h of 60, give or take. but it sounds like shit, so i mounted a tupperware painted black with a hole for wires to my left, behind me on the frame, which i use for a cd player.. enguineuity out the ass :) i beat any cart, most ATV's 660r raptor what? and any dirt bike under 300cc's

i have the greatest cart ever.. im also planning to spray it with some metallic red engine paint.. the frames now black, the seat is red, the wheels are painted red and the tires are, u guessed it black. with a little red engine it is gonna look mean..

-- warks (warkelypi@netscape.net), July 01, 2004.


YOU SHOULD TRY BUYING A GO CART FROM ME I HAVE 7 CARTS I MADE ALL THE ENGINES ARE 2004 YAHMAHA 12HP ENGINGES 5 OF MY CARTS ARE STANDARD AND THE REST ARE AUTOMATIC . THEY WORK GREAT AND THERE ONLY $300 US HTEY LOOK AMAZING! EMAIL ME IF YOUR INTRUSTED IN BYING ONE! SEE YOU!

-- UTHMAN (WILLIAM_69ER@HOTMAIL.COM), July 05, 2004.

i have built myself a killer offroad go kart out of a ride on mower and a 400 cc horisontal shaft engine thats a four speed and reverse.first of al go downn to your local scrapyard get a ride on lawnmower and get a motorbike engine over 100 cc r something thats horisontal shaft with a gearbox,hook it al up and its great,modifications are necessary to the frams,suspension roll bar etc,i did all this and im only 13

-- John (lion_red_beer@hotmail.com), July 13, 2004.

you all are losers I made a go cart easily just go out into the country and find some punk kid and give him 50 dollars for his go cart that does not run and put 5hp engine on and you can go 30 mph

-- Derek Logan Marshall (Marshall55@hotmail.com), August 07, 2004.

I think you should go buy your own god damb go cart, instead of usin other peoples junkyard ideas you fuckin hobo

-- mathew haines (matt_bmx520@hotmail.com), August 10, 2004.

Hey guys. I have an old (1995) go cart that does ok for itself. I was wondering if I could give it a 5-speed bike gear assembly? I want some high gears for runnin and low gears for climbing. Don't cuss me out, it is a serious question.

-- John (Marines_4th_LAD@hotmail.com), November 22, 2004.

Yes you can. And yes, I believe that IS the point of having gears.

-- razzlem'dazzle (razzles@hotmail.com), November 22, 2004.

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