Gear swap with a big block install?

007ojitos

Hello,
I am installing a vanguard big block, and am curious if i need to do a gear swap also? The stock ratio is 11:42:1.
I use the cart 95% on street, id like
To go 30ish, maybe 35. Currently it taps out at approx 22mph. Its a lil slow for traffic which builds up behind me when i drive.

BGW

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TheNewGuy

Swap the engine and try it first, chances are you won't want the gear change.

Ron


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Kustrud

Try just engine first like he said, but if you're wanting 30-35 and NOT a high RPM you'll want the gears.

smokindawg

Speed can also depend on tire size. Go with the big block and go up in tire size and you'll pick up the speed as well. And the big block will be able to pull the tires a lot easier.

sho305

A few options:

A rev kit is recommended by most anyone they don't cost that much and you can run no governor with no damage. This allows much more rpm so much better top speed, but yes it revs hard and you don't want to run constant like that, and its noisy and takes lots of fuel. Its good for trails where you need a burst of speed, or funning around.

You can go with HS gears, roughly good for +10mph for 8:1 on a stock cart, maybe more with larger tires than stock 18s.

You can go lifted and larger tires where around 23 inch tires will give about +10mph also over a stock cart.

Big tires and gears will give you both increases.

If you prefer to keep the governor on the engine then most likely you will want to go with gears to speed you up, and/or larger tires if you want that. If you run smaller tires not lifted then look for 6:1 gears you can get for some carts. Stock carts with no governor are around 20mph, 22 tires give around or close to 30mph. Stock cart with almost no governor and 8:1 HS gears 18 tires about 28mph on a CC I did that was hitting the rev limiter. If you run a stock lawn engine you can usually adjust the governor to get a little over 3600 rpm but usually should stay under 4K with no mods or no rev kit.

But if you run roads mostly, they like HS gears more because it lowers the rpm at steady driving. They like big gearing for that even if they never go top speed.

I have a clone with some mild mods it has hit 38mph gps, but without suspension upgrades I don't really like going that fast. I've done the toe so it steers good but that is moving on a cart. It has 22s and stock trans.

You can also get some more speed out of your clutches sometimes by adjusting the distance to the engine, belt size, modding or changing the clutch so the belt rides higher in the primary and lower in the secondary, or getting a larger diameter primary.

pleighdammet

running big block, 23" tires, and 8:1 gears. rev kit and all that hoopla for the engine. ive never run up to the 5500 rpm limit but it sees 5k quite a bit. that puts me just under 40mph. what kind of cart is it? 97+ CCs are reverse rotation and you have to run the transaxle in reverse for forward. this puts the rear end ratio closer to 14:1. for the peace of mind and not working your motor as hard do the swap. very easy

007ojitos

Thanks for all your help so far guys...

Yes, im installing the big bock with the performance cams, and the high speed rev kit on an ezgo st-express, as well as a high performance clutch. The cart also already has a jakes long travel kit on it. It also has 23in tires currently with the 11.42:1(forward) ratio,
And 15.78:1(reverse).



What gear ratio(s) would be best for the cart then?

Shepard

Here's a place where you can get some high speed gears that are higher then some of the sets I've seen.


-http://www.vintagegolfcartparts.com/Category/ezgo_axles

007ojitos

Thanks for the link. I checked their site, lots of gear stuff.
The problem im encountering thus far is that there really isnt much out there for it. The cart itself takes bits and pieces of various carts, in addition, when i goto golf cart shops around town, email, call them, even ezgo itself, nobody know anything about the cart, or what parts fit the ones i need. Its really frustrating.

So hopefully this is my last question on this...but, what gear ratio is best to upgrade change to, or should i keep it as is. What is the benefit of 8:1 or 10:1 or any other combination on a big block 6person cart?

slonomo

I think the common idea here is to try it with what you have already and see how it performs. Most guys here will tell you that the stock gears with a big block is a good combo, especially with performance upgrades. If it's not enough top speed for you, then upgrade the gears. Just remember that you WILL give up some low end pull if you get high speed gears, just no way around that. The Vtwins have tons of low end power so it will be fine for normal driving.....off road and towing is another story.

When you upgrade the gears, you will see an overall increase in the top speed at any certain rpm.

For example: at 4000 rpm you might cruise at 25 mph with stock gears and 25" tires. With a high speed gear set you might be at 30 mph. This is the biggest reason to use high speed gears, to limit your cruising rpm for "on road" driving.