Diesel Go Kart

Anyone try and put a small diesel engine into a go kart?  I think this would be an awsome idea, a go kart that has a ton of power, may not be the fastest kart but would be able to climb a hill and do it all day.

I'm thinking of welding up a simple frame for my kids, I dont want it to be fast for their safty but I dont want it to get stuck in mild off road terrain.

I'm thinking something a little bigger than power wheels but not much bigger.

Get this thing to run on cheap/free used oil and now you have cheap entertainment that the kids would enjoy for many years.  And because its a diesel it would run forever.



What is available and easy to get for something like this???

I'm open to ideas.  

i have done that with a couple buddies of mine, the smallest engine we used was a 4cyl diesel. we had to make a custom frame, we wanted to make sure it would handle the weight of the motor and if we added more power to it. it can be done though, you may just have to build a custom frame for durability, that way if your kids do decide to go wild with it, they could have something that wont buckle under pressure, dont forget a roll cage just to be on the safe side, in case they flip or roll it.  

i have built a diesel kart with a 4cyl diesel. had to build the frame and roll cage from scratch. i wanted to make sure it would have the strength and durability to handle the weight of the motor, and be able to take a beatin and still keep rolling. if i still had the kart i would gladly pass it to you so your and your kids could have something to work on together, and then go out and have some fun with it, but i had to sell it. good luck in getting a diesel kart for your kids.  

good luck in building it.  

I know a place in town where they sell go karts. I bet they will sell just a frame.  
David
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Big trucks shouldn't be this fast!

Duplicate...  

I was thinking about the 1-cylinder air cooled engines, I think you can get them around 10 or 12HP.  Briggs makes multi cylinder engines but they cost a bunch!

I'm not to concerned with the frame construction, I just want to pick a engine that would be reliable and not to darn expensive or overly complicated.  

You could do it if you can find one of the older 3 cylinder Deutz diesels from an old generator or pressure washer.  They aren't very big, weight would become less of an issue, and they run forever on very little fuel.


Let us know how this turns out, it sounds like a interesting build.



-Kris  
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2006 Dodge Ram 2500 QC 5.9L - No Mods Yet
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 QC 6.7L - Titan Fuel Tank, Aero Muffler 4040XL, Nathan AirChime K3LA

Can't wait to see some pictures.  
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My personal goals include developing perpetual motion and bringing power to the people. I’m also working on building a ’87 Ford F-250 7.3L IDI (Project 300) on a paycheck- to-paycheck budget. One day, I’d like it to be a renewable diesel-steam-hydraulic-compressed- air-wind-solar-infinitely-variable-transmission-equipped hybrid, but until then, I’m just happy to have a simple diesel-powered pickup.

jason.thompson@sorc.com

Its all planning and ideas right now.  I have other projects to finish first.  But if I start buying parts for this I'll be sure to post pictures and details.

I looked on ebay for the 2 or 3 cylinder Deutz engine, I found one cheap but was seized... has anyone worked on one of these engines?  Are they hard to rebuild?  Dont know how much a rebuild would cost on one of these engines.  

What would be the best transmission for a 2-3 cylinder engine, like a small kubota or deutz??  For this application that is.  

I was thinking CVT but not sure what kind or how to set it up.  

How big would your go-kart get?  That would really determine the type of tranny.




-Kris  
_____________________________________________________________
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 QC 5.9L - No Mods Yet
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 QC 6.7L - Titan Fuel Tank, Aero Muffler 4040XL, Nathan AirChime K3LA

I know the engine would add some weight but I was hoping for about the weight of an ATV or less than 800-900LBS.

Size wise I would guess somewhere around 6-8ft long and around 4ft wide.  Was hoping for about 6" of ground clearance and depending on how tall the engine is that would determine the height of the side's, plus a roll bar.

So to call this a go-kart may be incorrect... more like a small atv or buggy, but I was hoping to have a front engine rear drive setup.  Reason being that I dont want my kids popping wheelies with this thing, and if I can swing it I wanted to have some suspention and body pannels to look like a jeep or something.  Again all depends on the engine and how the frame turns out.


What about hydrolics (spelling) like out of a skid steer, or would the top speed be bad?  I know it would have a butt load of torque but no top end.  Just an idea.  

Ok... I looked online at top speed of a skid steer, looks like they only go about 5 or 6mph... way to slow.

You think the hydraulic motor could be hooked up to a gear or transmission for greater speed?  

I had an idea .... well, a couple actually.

Have you thought about transplanting the gearbox/rear end from an old three wheeler or four wheeler?  The Honda ATC 90 would have everything you need.  Better yet, the TRX-200 would offer more since it had a 5 speed shift with auto clutch, 2 gear ranges, it's shaft driven, and you'd even get a reverse gear.

Heck, you might even be able to pick one up on eBay or CL for almost nothing.  Let me know if you can't find on, I'll run a search on CL and post results.




-Kris  
_____________________________________________________________
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 QC 5.9L - No Mods Yet
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 QC 6.7L - Titan Fuel Tank, Aero Muffler 4040XL, Nathan AirChime K3LA