RocketMan on 30/6/2010 at 02:44
Quote Posted by JACKofTrades
These two criteria are pretty much mutually exclusive.
What do lawn mowers, weed whackers and chainsaws run at....I thought it was approximately 3600 RPM?
I have 2 chainsaws that are pretty much in disrepair. I have half a mind to put 1 on each rear wheel and make a kart from that lol. If it wasn't a stupid idea I just might.
Tocky on 30/6/2010 at 05:25
Quote Posted by Koki
Buy an old motorbike, take out the engine.
Don't dismiss this idea. Do you realize the power you can get from even a 350cc? Enough to kill yourself with a smile.
JACKofTrades on 30/6/2010 at 10:43
Quote Posted by RocketMan
What do lawn mowers, weed whackers and chainsaws run at....I thought it was approximately 3600 RPM?
I think you're right about that (lawn mowers) but they're no where near 15 hp. IIRC, a 125cc dirt bike engine is rated in the neighborhood of 15 hp but at 9000+ rpm on a tuned pipe.
RocketMan on 30/6/2010 at 23:52
Well maybe I can beef up a really powerful lawnmower...it just might work. There should be mowers out there with 5 HP engines right? In truth I don't really care abou the HP. That's pretty much a function of how high the thing is governed at and how well aspirated the engine is. If I move the magnet on the fliywheel to retard the advance, scrap the induction/exhaust and make my own, remove the governer and use knock inhibitors I should be able to up the torque significantly on the engine. Then it won't matter that it was originally a 5HP engine. I've read about people dyno'ing custom jobs and getting 200% from them. 10 HP would be fine for me considering your average gokart is about 5HP. I wouldn't mind it a little higher but half the fun of making your own kart is having to modify things and do lots of the work yourself right?
