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RC Trucks Home Page Go Carts Fast Go Carts Racing Go Karts Off Road Go Karts Honda Odyssey Twister Hammerhead Twister Hammerhead Engine GY6 Engine Mods Dazon Carter Go Carts Carter Interceptor GTR250 Manco Go Karts Build Your Own Go Kart Go Kart Engines Site Map |
What Engines can be used on Go Carts?There are quite a few choices out there when it comes to powering a go cart. If you build your own go kart (or if you are modifying an existing kart for more power) and need to choose a motor, then be sure to ask yourself some basic questions before you make your final decision. How much power do I want? Do I want electric start? Will I need to run lights (does the engine have an alternator)? Do I want reverse? and so on.... Off the Shelf Engines There are quite a few different off the shelf motors sold specifically for go kart use. Tecumseh offers a good selection in various horsepower ratings. However, keep in mind that some of these will only have an aluminum cylinder bore. Steel piston rings rubbing against a softer aluminum bore will not last very long. They are not designed for longevity. For occasional use, they might last a while, but for heavy usage they may not hold up very well over a long period of time. The larger models will often come with a cast iron cylinder sleeve for longer life. Some come equipped with electric start and also an alternator to power lights and charge a battery.
Tecumseh Powersport Snowmobile Another popular choice for people who build their own go karts is to use an old snowmobile engine. This choice is usually very powerful and lightweight. They are typically 2 stroke, and offer a lot of power for their size. Snowmobiles also typically use a CVT (continuously variable transmission), and this can be adapted for use on a go kart. These can be extremely powerful for their size, but keep in mind that they are normally quite loud and can be a bit finicky to run. Some of these also do not like to run at lower RPM's and some may foul spark plugs. Many of these 2 cycle powerplants can rev up to high RPM's and can make a go kart very fast! Even too fast! So, be careful if you decide to choose one of these.
Old Snowmobile Powerplant
ATV or Motorcycle Another popular choice is from an ATV or motorcycle. One possible advantage of an ATV engine is that they sometimes come with a reverse gear. If you want to have reverse, then something like the Yamaha Warrior 350 can be a good choice. The Yamaha Warrior 350 has decent power and torque, and they also have reverse built into the gearbox, and a sprocket output that can work well with a go kart chain setup.
Motorcycle or ATV Engine Regardless of what you choose, just be sure to maintain it properly. Keep the air filter clean, change the oil regularly, and keep parts like spark plugs on hand in case you foul them. With proper maintenance and care, most of these engines can last a long time and power your go kart with exciting acceleration and speed!
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