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Go-cart drivetrain????


UrbanRedneckKid

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I'm looking to build the narrowest go-cart drivetrain possible. Just thought maybe someone here would have some insight.

I'm mostly just curious if a torque converter (aka: torq-a-verter) can be mounted solely on jackshafts directly behind the engine.

Here's what I'm working with...


The plan is to have it as my pit vehicle next year's drag racing season. The trailer will be built up too, so I can carry the air bubble, tools, and other track supplies... And the cooler of course...

Steel chassis, gutted body, no suspension, rubber tires, hydraulic brake, chrome hood stack, as stock looking as possible.

Only real issue I'm having so far is measuring and figuring out how to fit the drivetrain because of how narrow it is.

I need to run a "cvt" clutch, due to the fact it needs torque to pull the car back if needed, and for speed when I need to get somewhere. But they are huge, and definitely would not fit if bolted to the side of the engine.

Ideas?

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UrbanRedneckKid

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Bump, anyone?

My local gocart shop is only open late Tuesdays. I need to go chat with them.

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pillen140

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What if you swapped a horizontal shaft engine in sideways, shaft pointing rearward, ran through a. Centrifical clutch... Use a regular riding mower rear axle pinion facing rearward and mount a sprocket or pulley to it? Or you could do the same thing with a vertical shaft engine but have the pinion on the rear axle point upward.... If possible. Would be tall as hell though.
 

85_Ranger4x4

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How about a regular lawn mower and just flip the pulleys around if you want more speed?

Narrow the front axle and put skinnier tires on the rear...

By the time you replace everything that needs replaced on your toy one I don't know how much will be left.
 

chrmaka

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Back in my 8th grade year me and my buddy built this little go cart out of a lawmnower. It was alright, however we had to do some serious gearwork to get any kind of speed out of it. However, it was the only 4x4 gocart in our neighborhood. But then i moved up to 4x4 golf carts. :D
 

03Fx4MN

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250cc dirtbike motor. you'll have gears and a clutch! Oooo smokey burnouts!
 

BabyBronco89

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I like the motorcycle engine idea, a v twin Harley motor!!


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UrbanRedneckKid

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I don't think you guy understand entirely just how small this thing is.
My boots are a 9D...


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SenorNoob

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I wonder if something like this would even be narrow enough?

49cc Scooter Engine with built in CVT.

That's about the smallest gasoline engine I know of.

Edit: As for mounting the Tork-A-Verter behind the engine. There is no reason it wouldn't work as long as the first shaft spins at (or at least close to) engine speed.
 
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adsm08

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Geez, at that rate you might as well go get one of those RC car alcohol engines and drop it in there if that is all the more space you have.
 

RonD

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Electric motor, loads of torque.
Starter motors can even be used.

Add few batteries....for ballast, and you got good weight for pulling and torque for starting off.

The speed control needs to be thought out, or you will end up at "full throttle" because the amp draw welds contacts closed, lol.
 

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