Question for Sprint Kart Racers

On a Yamaha KT-100 powered Sprint Kart, what difference is there between an angled and flat engine mount setup? Is one better than another, and why?

Try ekartingnews.com

I don't remember anymore. Maybe someone else does.

people still race the KT100? My boss switched out a while ago because the group of folks competing was dwindling in the big south road racing..

Things may be different these days, but back when I was kart racing the biggest reason people angled the engine forward was for clearance around the engine and possibly improved cooling.

I'm not familiar with the Yahmaha motors (mine's just getting moving up from the glorified weed whacker stage), but I would assume it's a couple of things:

1) Weight distribution - Larger drivers (or taller) would already be putting a lot of weight on the rear axle so anything to bring more weight forward would be a benefit (assuming you'd tilt it forward). The opposite could be true, too 2) Maybe better carb flow? 3) Less chain stress - Longer chain (although heavier) would not be as "bound" as a short one.

Do you have a kart shop around? Might be a good idea to pop in and have them help setup the kart. One thing I have learned is that the lack of suspension makes karts WAY different from setting up a car....

-Rob

Thanks guys. I used to race karts years ago and remember using an angled mount for my Yamaha and a straight mount for my Brigg's, but can't remember why I ran the angled mount. I have two mounts, one angled and one straight, and the straight one is in better shape, so that's why I'm asking. Rob, I don't think weight distribution is a big issue, as the engine is pretty light and we have to add a bunch of ballast anyway. The carb is on the front, so it would be angled up on an angled mount, which I would think would be a negative if anything, but I could be wrong. I guess I'll go check on a kart board, I just thought I'd check here first before getting involved in another message board. Thanks again guys, Jim