go-kart Q's

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hey guys I would like to start off with an interduction. My name is bryan I learned to weld a few years back,  I have realy just started welding regularly for about a year when i picked up a Lincol ac-225 for only 40$.  and for xmas this yr I got the lincoln pro-mig 135 and abottle of unimix. so now I am getting the hang of mig welding.  I have been looking at building a go-kart and now that I have a mig i feel this task will be a bit easier. I keep looking at these gokart suppliers and see these torque converters what are they good for and are they benificial to a gocart?  what other things should I keep in mind when building my gocart?  the engine I will be using is a tecumseh off of an old rideing lawn mower (yes it is a side shaft)  I am not sure of the hp but i would guess it is probably around 12hp runs good and best of all it is electric start. any help on this subject would be greatly appreciated.  If u guys know of any decent sites for plans or pics to get ideas for frame layout that would be appreciated also.p.s i wanna do an all-terraine type cart
Reply:I keep looking at these gokart suppliers and see these torque converters what are they good for and are they benificial to a gocart?
Reply:i am buying a whole lawn mower off of a buddy. it has no hp rating on it but branding is on it.  I've heard it run but the belt to the drive unit is busted but he says the mower is fast as crap. I was also thinking of just fixing up the mower and racing it as is cause we have rider races in the area. (it has no blade deck)http://www.wefabricateit.com
Reply:and as far as size goes I am pretty big at 6'3" and 350lb so I will need a healthy sized cart anywayshttp://www.wefabricateit.com
Reply:come on guys where is the info that i nee d please help hoping to get started this weekendhttp://www.wefabricateit.com
Reply:If you just want something simple that works, use a centrifugal clutch for the drive.
Reply:(torque converters what are they good for?)The torque converter is an automatic transmission. If you are building an allterrain gokart, then you  would want this. It will cover high and low speeds. They are used on mini bikes which I have several. I have a super bronc by Heald. It has an 8 hp Tecumseh on it. I'm 240 and it climbs hills the same as a little 70. The centrifugal clutch would be ok if you were staying on flat ground. Go to minidoodle.com which is a mini bike site. Go to the forums and the guys there will give you a lot of help with torque converters. Very dedicated small engine and mini bike guys. Very good about answering questions. Mention Joe Cooper sent you.Good Luck.jcooper
Reply:hey bro, you might wanna take a look at my thread that it is called my new go kart. Also theres one from a guy who made a go kart out of a 6.5 tecumseft engine, and it runs pretty good. Check it out, there are out here in the projects forum.l
Reply:It appears that the phrase "torque converter" is a genral phrase. The torque converters that are connected with automatic transmissions are torque converters of the Viscous Coupling type. The so-called torque converters they use for small karts/carts are of a dual pulley system where by one pulley runs IN via centrifugal force derived from the rpm of the engine and internal "dogs" in the pulley. The other pulley is run OUT via the force of the belt being run to the outer edges of the first pulley mentioned. This second pulley resists being run out by force provided by springs opposing that action. These pulley type torque converters ALSO act as the centrifugal clutch at the same time.http://www.hoffcocomet.com/comet/oem...converters.aspI'm sure there are several other types of torque converters available.
Reply:Maybe get a used one from an old Honda Odysy(or however you spell that)
Reply:alright this is what I got so far40 inch live axle and a bearing kitand the motor I have is a 12 horse tecumsehand I have 42ft of 1inch pipe coming my wayfrom what I have been told this motor has a lot of power.so I will have to experiment with the gearshttp://www.wefabricateit.com
Reply:my plans are to build the main frame out of 1" and the build the rest out of 3/4"http://www.wefabricateit.com
Reply:40 inch live axle and a bearing kit
Reply:my plans are to build the main frame out of 1" and the build the rest out of 3/4"
Reply:If you're gonna have kids riding a cart, consider a guard for the drive assembly. Another story only I've heard is girls and long hair gettin it caught up in the drive clutch. 'SPose it could happen.
Reply:Originally Posted by elvergonhey bro, you might wanna take a look at my thread that it is called my new go kart. Also theres one from a guy who made a go kart out of a 6.5 tecumseft engine, and it runs pretty good. Check it out, there are out here in the projects forum.l
Reply:One other site you might want to look at is http://www.edge.au.com/ if you are looking for plans/ideas. I bought and built the sidewinder plus you can build it with a motorcycle motor or with an industrial motor like you have. There are several different buggies you can choose from suspended or not. Also you can build it specific to the plans or modify it to your liking.