Go Kart Drive Systems - What Kind Do I Have? Do I Want? Will Work? (Part 5 of 10)

As we turn the corner into the 5th question, I just-Will I be able to go off roading?
wanted to preface the question with a little clarification.-Is this go kart only suited for a track?
What you have been reading (or if you are just-What kind of engine will I be using: vertical or
jumping in) is a series of questions that every gohorizontal?
karter needs to ask themselves before becoming tooThe kind of drive system that is available or selected
involved, or becoming too committed. It is almost likewill regulate how well this go kart will perform.
buying a puppy dog and then saying to yourself "Boy IAre you going to be able to make this go kart actually
did not know dogs were all this work! I can't even godrive, or is it going to be night to impossible to figure
on vacation..."out?
The same goes for go karts. They can be a long haulExample:
experience. You may end up being frustrated with theYou have this idea of converting a vertical 10 hp
go kart because you did not ask yourself the 10engine to run your go kart. How are you going to do it?
questions that need to be asked prior to acquiring orMost people say it can't be done! Are you going to flip
making this go kart.the engine on its side? (Beware flipping an engine that
These articles are seeking to put these "unknowns",internally is designed to run vertically, will cause the
these "elephants in the corner", these "shh...nobodyengine to seize) Are you going to use a belt drive? Is
should talk about this..." items to rest. Lets be real andthe belt drive going to actually work, or is it all theory?
talk about them. Your happiness, your kids happiness,(Beware, lots of theories, not much proof in Vertical
and perhaps your spouses happiness is at at stake.Engines; {there are solutions that do work however
Maybe even your neighbors happiness too!though}). What am I driving at: Vertical Engines can be
So onto the questions. The next question is about thea problem, a big problem if you do not know drive
mechanics of the gokart. The "what makes it go" partsystems.
of the go kart....so read on...You also do not want a drive system that can make
What Kind of Drive System Does The Go Kartyour go kart go 100 mph especially if you are
Have?expecting 5 year olds to drive it.
"What Kind of Drive System Does It Have?" is a veryIs the drive system de-tuneable, where the go kart can
important question when it comes to go kartgo only 5 mph if you want it too, without burning up
performance.belts and clutches?
Performance as in:Most importantly of all:
-How fast will the go kart go?Do you understand drive systems?
-How steep a hill will it climb?