What Engine?!

chaparral wrote: You're down in the weight range where engine weight matters a LOT. VM 125 CZK is right around 50 lbs for 35 horsepower. That's all-inclusive, everything but the gas tank and pump. The less the engine weighs, the lower your CG will be, the less weight transfer you'll get, and the faster you'll corner.

I like this alot. Other options include: CR(F) motors, CBR motors, or any other small light 1 or 2 cylinder motorcycle engines. They'll be more than fast enough for anything you want to do.

<- owns a high strung CR125 shifter kart.

tpwalsh wrote:

chaparral wrote: You're down in the weight range where engine weight matters a LOT. VM 125 CZK is right around 50 lbs for 35 horsepower. That's all-inclusive, everything but the gas tank and pump. The less the engine weighs, the lower your CG will be, the less weight transfer you'll get, and the faster you'll corner.

I like this alot. Other options include: CR(F) motors, CBR motors, or any other small light 1 or 2 cylinder motorcycle engines. They'll be more than fast enough for anything you want to do. <- owns a high strung CR125 shifter kart.

I am interested in keeping the weight low, so it can drift through snow. These are good ideas. I'm not really expecting too race anyone, though. Just a fun vehicle.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/200x-classifieds/honda-engines-13hp-and-20hp/55887/page1/

I have some experience with this kind of thing. First, these frames generally aren't as strong as they seem. Once you put some power in them they start to break. Second, if you are going to put any kind of real power in them you need four wheel brakes. Third, without a suspension don't plan on doing a lot of off roading. More power makes for a more violent ride. Cutter's engines are a good match for a kart like yours. I'm getting a couple 20hp units myself.

CR500

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvWA3Xb49mE

In reply to bravenrace:

I repaired it when I got it. Its not extremely strong, I know this, but I got it for $50. Not a big deal.

Truthfully I was thinking maybe in the area off chain saw, but I have been fed some pretty good alternatives.

Suzuki G13b

N Sperlo wrote: In reply to bravenrace: I repaired it when I got it. Its not extremely strong, I know this, but I got it for $50. Not a big deal. Truthfully I was thinking maybe in the area off chain saw, but I have been fed some pretty good alternatives.

Well that IS a good price!
Cutter is selling those hondas really cheap. You really aren't going to beat that for decent power, cost and ease of installation. It would also not overpower your kart like a motorcycle engine would. I did that once and pretty much destroyed the kart. I'm now gearing up for a CB650 transplant into our current off road kart, but it is a lot stronger than the other one and I'm re-engineering a lot of it.

I have a CBR 900RR (929) motor (complete with radiator, harness, cluster and ECU) that would make that thing a screamer. If you want something complete and local, I am your best option.

In reply to singleslammer:

LOL. Maybe if I can find a bike frame instead, unless you want to explain to my wife why I was scraped off of a Back 40 tree.

N Sperlo wrote: In reply to singleslammer: LOL. Maybe if I can find a bike frame instead, unless you want to explain to my wife why I was scraped off of a Back 40 tree.

"I'm sorry Ma'am, we scraped your husband off of a Back 40 tree because his epic-ness could not be contained by this unworthy world..."

Volkswagen Beetle engine. Cheap, light, air-cooled and already set up for rear mount/drive. 36hp should be plenty in that thing for snow.

Rotax

In reply to Raze:

We have a winner! So, Nick, you will be over to get it Saturday then?

amg_rx7 wrote: Rotax

This!!!! Water cooled I think but my choice as well!!!

Could you put a miata motor in it? LOL Or a 4 age?

Hit n Miss engine and get all kinda crazy- Amish w/ it

I believe the answer you are looking for is currently resting in a forgotten underpowered 2stroke snowmobile somewhere....

If you want cheap as well as light, you will definitely not do better than an old 250 or 500 dirtbike two-stroke.

I think an old air-cooled 500 would be absolutely perfect. They're plodders, not screamers, but in a 300 lb, 50 hp machine, "plodder" is fine.

Find a old GS 750. One of these.

singleslammer wrote: In reply to Raze: We have a winner! So, Nick, you will be over to get it Saturday then?

Free you say? SURE!

I've got a Suzuki 250cc a/c single on my parts sled artic cat.....it moved the 500lb sled around just fine. Idk about weight though. And it hasn't run in years.

yamaha wrote: I've got a Suzuki 250cc a/c single on my parts sled artic cat.....it moved the 500lb sled around just fine. Idk about weight though. And it hasn't run in years.

In that case, I have a Skyline engine that hasn't moved in years. May as well slap that beast on there.

james22 wrote: What Engine?!

RB20DET, but its a bit preoccupied.

Hyabusa

13B-REW