Go Cart Engines – Where Does the Power Come From?

If your only goal in life is to take a trip down to the nearest family fun center, hop in a go cart, and get it up to 10 mph, you really don’t need to know anything about go cart engines. However, if your wish is to race fast go karts, you will be able to improve your success by knowing a few important differences between go cart engines. Understanding the basics about 2-stroke and 4-stroke go cart engines, as well as electric motors, can only boost your success as a racer. Plus, learning about other go cart parts such as go cart tires will help you enjoy your sport even more.

Have you ever watched a professional open-wheel race? Indy Car racers such as Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon, and Danica Patrick are exciting to watch as they complete laps at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at greater than 220 mph. But if you think that’s exciting, you should get behind the wheel of a fast go cart. Some go cart engines may only produce speeds of 30 mph, but even at these slower speeds, it’s still more exciting than watching someone else race at much greater speeds. Getting behind the wheel yourself can be a big thrill at any speed.

Go Cart Engines Can Produce Some Very Fast Speeds

There is a great difference between various go carts. Some may reach maximum speeds of 10 mph while others can top 200 mph. Recreational go karts found at family fun centers and amusement parks may only hit 10 or 15 mph, but Formula One karts reach speeds in excess of 200 mph. And, while other factors such as go cart tires and the quality of the go cart frame will contribute to the overall speed, it’s the go cart engines that are most responsible for the amount of power produced. So no matter what speeds are exciting to you, there’s a go cart that fulfill your needs.

Go karts that are used for racing generally have 2-stroke or 4-stroke go cart engines. The 2-stroke varieties are more powerful and make for faster go carts, while the 4-storke engines are extremely popular in recreational fun centers. However, as battery-powered electric go carts increase their speeds and ranges, they are steadily becoming the vehicle of choice for family fun center go karts.

Go Cart Engines and Electric Motors

Electric motors have many benefits over gas go cart engines which make them ideal for small family tracks. There is no expensive fuel to buy which makes them inexpensive to operate. Plus, without a gas engine to break down they are also very cheap to maintain because they have fewer mechanical problems. Another advantage is that they are quiet and produce no hazardous emissions, thus making them perfect for indoor tracks. The only negatives are their power and range, but these are improving all the time.

Electric go carts can only operate on a fun center track for about 20 minutes before needing a battery recharge, but as battery technology improves, the times will improve. The only other negative is their top speeds. They cannot move as fast as gas engine karts, but top speeds are not necessary on family fun tracks.

Honda, Briggs and Stratton, and Tecumseh are three top manufacturers of 4-stroke go cart engines. And if it’s not an electric motor being used at a short fun track, it’ll be the 4-stroke motor. Most motors of this type will produce up to 20 hp and are used by beginning racers or at family fun centers. But don’t underestimate these low-power engines because they can propel karts up to 50 mph in some cases.

4-strokes are used in low-power go cart engines, but they can also be modified to produce up to 50 hp or more. These higher-powered go cart engines are often used in National Championship class races. 2-stroke go cart engines, on the other hand, will furnish you with more than 90 hp and are capable of producing speeds in excess of 160 mph.

Video: Some Go Cart Engines Are More Powerful Than Others

Go Carting is Available for Everyone

Go carting has become an extremely popular sport offering many avenues for excitement. When most people think about go karts, they envision vehicles sprinting down a paved circuit and taking hairpin turns at breakneck speed with their go cart tires squealing loudly, but in go carting there are many ways to enjoy the thrill of open wheel racing.

Speedway Racing is a Form of Go Carting

Go carting that is done on oval tracks is called speedway racing and only has left hand turns. The go carting track itself can either be dirt or asphalt and can be large or small. Some tracks can even be larger than 1/4 mile around. Paved go cart tracks require a great amount of grip or traction to maintain control and speed during sharp cornering. On the other hand, dirt tracks may require a bigger challenge as sliding occurs in turns, requiring particular handling skills to be successful.

Go Carting on Road Courses

Go carting on road courses is known as sprint racing and takes place on paved surfaces which involves both left and right turns. There will be straightaways as well as sharp turns. Speeds will move from fast on the straights to slow through the turns. On more sophisticated go carting tracks you will find banked turns which allow for increased speeds and less slowdown during cornering.

Go carting on both speedway and sprint racing tracks can be exciting for anyone age 8 and up, but Enduro racing requires a higher skill level and is most commonly reserved for experienced racers. This type of go carting is very similar to sprint racing, but the races are longer. Enduro, which is short for Endurance, is a race that lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours or longer. The longer races will normally require more than one driver, given them a chance to rest here and there during the race. Shorter races are sometimes called Sprint Enduro races and are run without pit stops, but longer races require pitting from time to time. These events are held on professional racing circuits such as the Daytona International Speedway.

Another type of racing is reserved for very young children between the ages of 4 and 7. The engines are small and not too powerful for younger kids, but they can still produce a fair amount of speed for this age of driver. Kids Karts are run on either sprint tracks or speedway tracks and allow younger drivers the opportunity to develop their racing skills before moving up to speedway and sprint racing. This is the perfect place to learn go carting skills because it takes place in a safe and controlled environment.

Another avenue for go carting excitement is off road go karting. With off road go carts you will have bigger go cart tires, allowing the kart to sit higher off the ground as well as improve traction in all types of terrain and weather. Four wheel drive vehicles will also improve traction on even the bumpiest and muddiest of tracts or trails. Roll cages are especially valuable in off road go carting as accidents and rollovers are more common with this type of kart.

When it comes to the actual go karts, the different types will vary greatly. Some go karts will have small engines that may only produce speeds from 5 to 10 mph while Formula One karts can hit speeds greater than 200 mph. That’s close to the speeds you see at the Indy 500.

As you can see, no matter what speeds you’re looking for, or whatever type of go cart racing you want to get involved in, go carting is available to everyone. And it’s important to note that racing isn’t the only activity go carts are used for. You can simply take them out on a track or dirt road and enjoy the excitement without any need for competition. What could be more fun than a leisurely drive in your go cart merely for the thrill of it? And if you should ever have the desire to increase your driving skills there are many go carting schools all over the world that will allow you to ride for a small fee, helping you to develop your skills as a driver.

Fast and Furious
Off Road Go Carts

Off road go carts are totally different than go carts driven on flat paved surfaces. Like everything else in life, you have options. If you like getting away from it all you can enjoy the beauty of the countryside and the thrill of go karts all rolled up into one neat little package by hopping into one of many great off road go carts.

Off Road Go Carts Can Go Almost Anywhere

Off road go carts will take you just about anywhere you want to go, whether it’s through the mud or over the hills. Go carting off road used to be an uncommon activity, but it has become much more popular of late.

A go cart used for off road trails should be a four wheel drive vehicle. This will increase the traction and help you maintain control of your off road go carts in rough terrain. Off road go carts should also have some top notch tires that are larger than standard size.

Larger tires will ensure proper traction and ground clearance. Go carting on off road dirt trails means the carts themselves must be higher off the ground to avoid rocks and bumps that could otherwise cause damage to off road go carts, and large go cart tires provide this benefit.

Off Road Go Carts Are Made For Mud

Large-sized go cart tires serve another important purpose as they make it easier to maneuver when conditions are less than ideal. Large tires will improve traction on muddy tracks or during adverse weather conditions. Off road go carts are built to go almost anywhere.

In addition to big tires off road go carts will have a roll cage for safety. In the event of an accident or rollover drivers can maintain their safety inside the roll cage. However, just because you have a roll cage doesn’t mean you should neglect other safety precautions. One of the most important pieces of safety equipment is the helmet. Always wear a helmet because the roll cage may not protect the driver in all types of accidents.

There are many times when an off road go kart will be the preferred type of vehicle. If you love the outdoors you may just want to get away from it all. And there’s no better way to do that than off road riding in a high quality go cart. These modified go carts are also great for hunting expeditions. ATVs will normally have far fewer safety features, making them a more risky choice on the outdoor trails. ATVs tend to be a bit heavier, making them harder to maneuver and more likely to get stuck in the sand or mud.

If you are interested in off road go carts you can either purchase them pre-assembled or you can buy a kit and put it together yourself. The kit will be less expensive, and is an option for the mechanically inclined. Most off road carts are of Chinese production, but their reliability may not be as high as they should be. However, due to their low cost they have become extremely popular.

Off road go carts are very similar to dune buggies. Many people consider them the same thing, and it’s easy to understand why since they are so similar. A dune buggy is a vehicle that has large wide tires and is designed to be driven on sand dunes or sandy beaches. Most often, dune buggies are vehicles that are modified for increased the power and lowered weight.

An off road go kart is very similar in appearance to an open frame dune buggy, also known as a sandrail, but it is built for a different purpose. Dune buggies or sandrails are made to drive on sand while go carts are designed for all terrain. However, they are still extremely alike. Sometimes, the only difference between the two are the tires. A go cart may have all terrain tires while a dune buggy is fitted with sand tires.

Go Cart Parts: Which Ones Will Give You The Most Problems?

A go cart is made up of many go cart parts that all must work flawlessly together for it to achieve top speed and stability. In addition to the go cart tires, frame, and engine there are many other go cart parts, any of which have the potential to malfunction and reduce optimum performance. Some of these additional go cart parts are the chain, steering mechanism, and clutch, but there are many others.

If you expect to buy a reliable go cart for your go carting fun there are several things about go cart parts you need to understand. Buying a go cart with existing problems will result in a greater cost of repair over time as well as increased frustration. To keep long-term costs to a minimum while maximizing performance requires us to look at what types of problems can occur with the various go cart parts and how you can spot them before buying a lemon.

Examining Go Cart Parts in Used Go Carts is Important

If you are in the market for a used go cart, which of course consists of many used go cart parts, there are many things that can tip you off as to whether or not it is a good purchase. Examining each of the go cart parts carefully will give you a better chance at purchasing a high quality vehicle.

Make sure the chain is big enough for the go cart, that it isn’t rusty, and that the links are not worn or sloppy. Also make sure the clutch is working properly and not wobbly. If it’s wobbly it usually signifies that a bearing is worn out and needs replacement.

The Engine is One of the Most Important Go Cart Parts

It’s always a good idea to start up the engine and take it for a test drive. The engine is one of the most important go cart parts and is where many things can go wrong. If the engine shows any sign of smoke it usually means that oil is being burned. If you start up the engine and it smokes while sitting there idle, it means there’s a lot of oil getting past the rings and onto the piston where it’s burning during the combustion phase. This is a very bad sign and usually implies some major engine repair in the not-too-distant future. If you see smoke only when driving the go cart, the engine will typically go a bit longer before repairs are needed, but they will be needed soon.

If there is an audible knocking in the engine as it’s running it usually implies that the engine was used while low on oil at some point in its history. Without proper oil levels the motor can overheat and cause all sorts of serious problems. In all likelihood, a knocking noise will mean you need a complete engine overhaul.

An engine in good shape will only require one pull to get it started. If it’s hard to get started it could mean many things, but most typically loose rings, low compression, faulty carburetor, or a loose intake manifold. Most of these problems will need minor repairs, but are fixable.

Loose steering linkages can be caused by many things, some of which will be easy to fix while others may be more difficult. The loose linkages themselves will normally just need tightening, but they can be an indication of other larger problems. For example, a vibration in the go kart may be causing the linkage looseness. Vibration can be the result of a bent axle or a drive train problem, both of which may require some major work. If it’s a bent rear axle you will usually be able to notice wobbly wheels as well.

The steering system is another one of the more important go cart parts. If you notice the front tires being worn unevenly it is indicative of a steering system misalignment. Check to see if the frame has any cracks in it, especially on the under side. If there are visible cracks they must be repaired.

Some of these problems may seem small at first, but when you add up all the repair costs of the various low quality go cart parts it can become substantial. If you’re in the market for a used go cart be sure to examine all of the go cart parts very carefully or have a knowledgeable friend do it for you. Buying a go kart that’s in good shape, and that is made with quality go cart parts, will save you a lot of money and frustration over the long haul.

How to Choose the Best Go Cart Frame

Choosing the right go cart frame, also called a go cart chassis, can make the difference between success and failure on the track. Using an inferior go cart frame or chassis will increase the amount of stress placed on the go cart, make handling more difficult, and even cause accidents. If you want to get more enjoyment and success out of racing it’s important to know how to choose the best go cart frame as well as other quality go cart parts.

When your go cart is racing around hairpin turns at breakneck speeds you need to be confident that your go cart tires will remain glued to the course. The only way to maintain top speeds through corners is by having sufficient grip. And getting the traction you need requires a combination of things including high quality tires and a top-notch go cart frame.

You may not think that the go cart frame is as important as the type of go cart tire when it comes to gripping the track, but that is not the case. A well-designed and well-built chassis is a vital component of track grip. Without a first-rate go cart frame you are more likely to lose control through tight turns which can result in lost positions or even accidents.

A Top Go Cart Frame is Made of Steel Tubing

A go cart frame is made from strong steel tubing and is the component that holds the axles, body, and engine. Go carts don’t have suspensions so it’s crucial to have a frame that is stiff enough not to crack under the strain of racing, but flexible enough to act as the suspension. Cornering puts a lot of strain on a go kart chassis, so flexibility is necessary for precise maneuvering while stiffness is required to keep the go cart from cracking or breaking.

There are four different types of go cart frame: caged, open, straight, and offset. A caged chassis has a cage attached to the frame that protects the driver in the event of a rollover. As an added benefit it can also help make the frame more solid by acting as a brace. Some go carts have roll bars instead of cages that will help lessen the chance of injury in a rollover, but they are not quite as protective as a cage. If there is no cage, the go kart is considered as having an open chassis.

The other two types of frames are classified as straight and offset and are named according to the position of the driver. If a driver sits in the center of the kart it is called a straight chassis. If the driver sits off to the side it is known as an offset chassis or frame. Offset go cart frames are typically seen in speedway racing, or racing on an oval track while making all left turns. Straight frames are normally used in sprint racing.

A Good Go Cart Frame Will Improve Flexibility and Stiffness

A strong and well-built frame will not only provide balanced levels of flexibility and stiffness, but will make it more effective and lengthen its lifespan. Go carting can be tough on vehicles and a sturdy chassis is critical if you expect your go cart to endure the punishment it will receive on the track.

Depending on what type of surface you will be racing on, different amounts of stiffness and flexibility in the go cart frame are needed. When the weather and track conditions are dry a stiffer frame is usually best, but when they are wet you will usually want to go with more flexibility. If you buy a cheaper go cart frame or chassis you may not be able to adjust the stiffness to accommodate the current track conditions, which makes it important to buy a high quality chassis that will allow you to adjust it as necessary. This one factor can improve your success on the track tremendously.

Using go cart frames that are too stiff can quickly result in fractures and cracking. If your chassis is adjusted for the proper flexibility and stiffness you will be able to maintain a truer line through sharp turns and avoid excess sliding. This will keep you in the race instead of forcing you to drop further and further back from the leaders. Plus, as an added benefit it will increase the lifespan of the frame.

Determining which go cart frame is the correct one for your situation is best resolved by following a couple of easy steps. First, figure out what type of racing you want to do and at what track you want to race. Once you know where you will be racing you should ask the professionals at that track what chassis is best for that particular track. Each track has different characteristics and finding a go cart frame that works best for that particular track will help steer you toward the proper frame.

Another factor to be aware of is that there are many different governing bodies in go carting. Each governing body will have different requirements and regulations so it’s important to be aware of these rules so that your go cart frame and go cart will adhere to them. You don’t want to find out that your go cart is not accepted at a track after you have already purchased it.

The bottom line is that you should buy a go cart frame that can be adjusted and that will be accepted at the track where you intend to race. Doing your homework before buying the first go cart you find will improve your enjoyment and success out on the track. By buying the right go cart frame and then testing out various stiffness amounts, you will be able to set your go cart frame up for maximum success.