Topic: If you were going to build a go kart? (Read 5247 times)

PhilStubbs · « **on:** January 14, 2013, 03:03:26 PM »

I'm building something almost 100% from shit I have laying around. It will have a D15 and DX cable tranny in the mid engine position and mostly stock Honda suspension. The front will be stock upper and lower control arms with some EF std knuckles with only the outer part in the hub. The rear will be the same setup but DX parts. The rest is up in the air. Low ride height for handling? Lots of ground clearance for offroading? Middle if the road so it can do both? 1 seat? 2 seats?

I'm kinda leaning towards 1 seat and mid height so its versatile. I have no idea what my overall plan is for the car. I just want super light and lots of fun. Another friend wants 2 seats, but then its pretty much a car and not a go kart anymore.

jabberwock · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2013, 03:51:41 PM »

Mini rail

PhilStubbs · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2013, 04:46:54 PM »

I want something that's fun to turn. Rails seem to be sorta straight line machines. But it will sorta look like a rail in construction.

dvst8r · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2013, 04:52:27 PM »

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/general-4x4-discussion/633445-honda-powered-kid-buggy.html

PhilStubbs · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2013, 05:05:47 PM »

I have been thinking about doing that for years. Only problem is that I live in flat ass Florida. That would just look cool as shit. I don't have the wallet for that either. I'm planning to spend very little money. I pretty much have the entire project laying around. I'll just have to get some brake lines and little shit like that.

Phate · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2013, 02:20:41 AM »

My idea of go kart on steroids: Past Baja SAE race vehicle, with the 10hp briggs and stratton replaced with a CB360 engine. Goes 70mph. Spins the tires in second on pavement, will skate sideways at full throttle in the mud in 4th once it hits its powerband. Its not wide enough, and the suspension is too soft for how fast it goes. Make that, but wide enough for two people, and with a longer wheelbase.

Since you are putting a D-series in it, that's too small though. I'd almost consider just cutting the shit out of a shell, and reinforcing it with a tube cage like this guy did to a 1g dsm:

rawr · « **Reply #6 on:** January 16, 2013, 05:23:42 AM »

Seat probably costs more than the whole frame. Lol.

PhilStubbs · « **Reply #7 on:** January 16, 2013, 07:56:32 AM »

I thought about hacking up a car to use, but I don't want to ruin a good car. If I could get my hands on a roll over car or something I would.

Joseph Davis · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2013, 12:02:30 PM »

The chopped up EE wagon you posted a while back was badass.

I think fangling a car drivetrain in might be a hassle, unless you really want a BIG cart, or one that is heavy on the drivetrain side of things. I'd really look for a cheap as shit 500cc or under motorcycle engine/trans and chain drive that to an axle. It'd be better balanced, and lots of power when you keep in mind that you'd be gearing it down to 100mph or less... fuck, 80 mph in a buggy style cart would fucking kill you unless you put a real tire in there, or better yet set it up more like a white trash shifter kart.

PhilStubbs · « **Reply #9 on:** January 16, 2013, 12:37:24 PM »

I'm sorta going for white trash shifter kart, but I want to spend no money. I have a running D15 and a few trannys plus all if the related axles, knuckles etc.

Phate · « **Reply #10 on:** January 16, 2013, 01:29:09 PM »

Quote from: rawr on January 16, 2013, 05:23:42 AM

Seat probably costs more than the whole frame. Lol.

What, in the blue buggy or the hacked up DSM? It's a plastic shell I think Kirkey that we used for a few years until the people in tech decided they didn't like it anymore and told us not to use something else. Totally saw at least four other teams running the exact seat. Dunno how much it cost, if I had to guess we got it for $100-200.

For what it's worth, our CB360 engine was totally free. We also have a suzuki GS550 engine sitting in the back of the shop, that wouldn't fit into the frame.

Joseph Davis · « **Reply #11 on:** January 16, 2013, 02:57:56 PM »

I think a D15 would be a high center of gravity in a tube frame kart. You could probably trade it for a bike motor and cash, to be honest... running D-series are $ around here, all the fools blew them up.

You've got a pretty good eye for that sort of thing, I'm sure it'll work out fine whatever you do.

PhilStubbs · « **Reply #12 on:** January 16, 2013, 03:27:39 PM »

Yea, I dig what you are saying. This thing won't be seeing any autox or anything. Just a toy to play around the yard with, maybe being to the dyno day if I can squeeze it on the trailer with my hatch. Not that it will make a shit load of power, but the power to weight should be insane.

D's still aren't worth shit here, but you can't find them either. B's are still king here and K's are becoming almost standard. I still can't believe I haven't tuned a K yet.

j.h.christ · « **Reply #13 on:** January 16, 2013, 08:47:24 PM »

cut roof where the pillars run into the body, fenders, doors, bumpers, lights, hood, trunk lid, gut all interior, put knobbies on. easy as fuck.

PhilStubbs · « **Reply #14 on:** January 16, 2013, 11:20:48 PM »

That's not rwd though

jeremy_nash · « **Reply #15 on:** January 29, 2013, 01:51:45 AM »

Quote from: PhilStubbs on January 16, 2013, 11:20:48 PM

That's not rwd though

It is in reverse!

ironcrx · « **Reply #16 on:** January 29, 2013, 04:22:49 PM »

Find a pos honda body and chop that shit up. you jsut need the frame. Smaller the better though.

HiProfile · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2013, 06:39:26 AM »

Cut up two, put one on the rear of another, and you have awd!

NoPistons! · « **Reply #18 on:** January 31, 2013, 05:51:35 PM »

Quote from: PhilStubbs on January 16, 2013, 11:20:48 PM

That's not rwd though

Put the motor in the back. =D

PhilStubbs · « **Reply #19 on:** January 31, 2013, 05:59:46 PM »

Going through that much trouble I might as well build something from scratch. Lol

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