Get Maximum Performance From Your Go Kart Engine

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 ·

By Miles Z Runeskowzer

Learning how to properly tune a small engine on a go kart is an important step in maintaining your kart. These engines, while small, can be tuned to quite a high level of performance if done correctly and with some planning. Most engines are of four main varieties, so let's take a look at them first.

The first type of go kart engine is very popular, and it has a bore made of aluminum - called a cool bore - with roller bearing on either side of the crankshaft. It's very high-performance, though a little rare and maybe not worth all the trouble it would take to get one. The second type can fill in just as nicely, and it features bore made of steel with the same roller bearing set up. Also, it can win just as many races.

The last two types are both single roller bearing examples, though one has a steel bore and the other an aluminum one. The bottom line is that all four of them can produce great performance as long as they're built up correctly and then maintained and tuned properly. Remember to always perform regular oil changes without fail. After the oil change, remove and inspect the engine's spark plug, taking care to look over the plug's electrode for carbon accumulation and scoring. Replace it, if this is present.

Always use a gapping tool to ensure the gap between the electrode and the plug is from.025 and.030 in distance, depending upon the plug and engine specification. If the plug looks good, just re-gap it and re-seat it back into the engine. Next, check the spark plug wire for signs of wear. A bad wire - one that's cut or excessively worn -- can significantly reduce engine performance. Replace it if needed.

The engine's air filter will require an examination and a light cleaning with an air hose, most times. If it's too clogged or dirty, just throw it away and put a new one in. After that, check over the carburetor fuel-air mix, making sure the needle valve is tightening all the way down and then turned back out 2.5 turns. This should serve to give the carb the proper gas and air mix. Once that's completed, timing can be checked with a timing light and a 'how to' guide.

Learning how to tune and adjust your go kart engine is something every Karter must learn. It's not very hard, either. Just ensure that regular engine maintenance and tuning becomes a part of all go kart racing activities to increase not only engine performance but also lifespan. If done right, it will be many miles before an engine will require extensive rebuild or repair.

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