Kawasaki engine/clutches in gocart

[Boomologist]

Has anyone here built a cart using a Kawasaki engine/clutching system? How did it work?
Thinking of scrapping a sled or two and trying it.
Ron

[mswyka]

I have not done it myself, but I traded parts with some guys who turned a 81 LTD into a cart. From the video that I saw it was pretty quick.

[Interceptor398]

I have seen it a couple times.  They just moved the entire drive train from a sled to a cart.

[Checkmarks]

Ron,

Kawasaki motored go cart sounds dangerous and incredibly fun!  I know a person who was trying to put in a 440 lc into a buggy.

A cr500 or Kx500 put out maybe 40 horses.  A cr250 put out maybe 30 horses.

Fan cooled 45 horses out of that intruder motor, well...  Liquid cooled mayhem with 70 horses.  Pushing round tires, I bet you 70hp could hit 150mph.  To the salt flats... 130hp on a 400lb frame can get to 185mph but I don't have a relationship with the ramp for the curve possible for lower horsepower.  I expect it is like an exponential curve the faster you try to go, you need a lot of hp to get faster.

When you get to the jetting get in touch with me.

[Boomologist]

Sounds like we will try it and will be needing a LOT of advice as we progress.

[mswyka]

Just remembered something someone else had told me.  We had a cart track not too far away a few years back.  Well, maybe more than a few years back.  I was told that those carts were Kawi powered. They had formula style bodies with 4 wheel hydraulic disk brakes.  I remember them being pretty quick and could really throw you from side to side on that serpentine track.  Actually saw a pair of them come up for sale last year as non-powered rolling chassis.  Except for the fact that I have too many toys and projects, I regret not picking them up.  I will find the email of the guy I know who built the cart with  the LTD engine and send that along to you.

[Joel]

If I recall the guy with the LTD cart was a member on here correct Mark?

[mswyka]

If I recall the guy with the LTD cart was a member on here correct Mark?

He may have.  I don't have a clear recollection.

[sprocket]

What are you thinking of a chassis like the Kawasaki road racer ? Looking at it wouldn't be much. Years back like early 80's I used a different brand one with electric start & reverse, made a buggy style it looked just like the Honda Pilot roll cage and all. The engine that I used was fan cooled.
Years later a few guys from work bought these kits (plans) to build these side winders the engine selection was your choice. I guess if it was up to me to do something I would want electric start & liquid cooled

[Boomologist]

Still just an idea. Appreciate any and all input.
Thanks