Motor Options / Recommendations

yamahag1cart

Hey all -

Planning on swapping a "big block clone" motor into my first gen Yamaha G1 cart. I have done a good bit of reading here and basically understand the process but wanted some opinions on engines from the community over here.

Inspired by a few youtube builds I am between the HF 420 predator or either the 16 or 18 hp Duromax motors. I like the electric start options and (fairly) easy swap. Pretty set on one of these as I can get them for about $300 new. FYI I am cool not having reverse.

I know there are a lot of parts and info for the 420 motor and from what I have read nothing but great things! I am intrigued by the higher horsepower output on the Duromax.. Anyone here have experience with running and swapping either?

Also - If anyone has a link or info on the adapter I will need to fit the OEM clutch to the 1" keyed shaft of the new motor would be greatly appreciated!

BGW

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BrutalSoldier

Vegas Carts has the tapered adapter. http://www.vegascarts.com/tapered-cl...el-p/stsa1.htm

yamahag1cart

Thanks Brutal!

Do you know if I'll have to cut the shaft on my motor? Sounds scary especially if I buy a brand new one.

sho305

Its not hard to do just a pain as you may have to drill and tap the hole deeper. You have to do it in a G2/G9 because the engine about hits the fuel tank if you don't, but I don't know with a G1. You can get some parts cheap to make a clone rev if its not the hemi predator version, not sure on that one, but the rest you can get pushrods, shaft rockers, HD springs, timing key, you remove the governor and they run pretty nice and get some speed out of them for cheap. I don't know if any of the 420/440 really make different HP from another one, they are very similar. The VC460 does it has a cam and rod and other parts, its built up the way it comes. My 420 with many mods and that cam and rod really rips now.

One issue is if you go elec start and get rid of the cart gen, the clones only charge 3A and many have the battery go dead eventually unless they take long trips. You can get the lifan 18A charge engine its the only one I know of that charges a lot other than a real honda 390 (which have 3 different systems). You can buy the parts to put a large alternator on the flywheel a guy did it on here (flywheel, stator, VR) to convert one to 18A. Or you can put a car alternator on it, there are some small ones people use from tractors.

yamahag1cart

I am pretty sold on the 420, I love the idea of getting some performance parts and building one fresh out of the box! Also tons of cheap(er) parts should something need replacing. Do you recommend one brand over another? I would buy a predator with the coupon unless you strongly recommend something else.

Did you document your build on here? Would love to see what you did.

Will it really not charge itself enough to run just the starter? I have a brand new group 24 battery. I want to add 12v accessories down the road so maybe I should look into how to incorporate and alt?

sho305

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/clone...-clone-bb.html

The plain elec start is 3A, its not much.

The vc460 is worth it if you want a built engine, if you rather do it yourself then get a 420 sure. I like the lifan but that is me. They are the largest small engine maker in the world now. Only issue is they have ut2 now it is the electronic coil that advances the timing, but it also has a 4K rev limit. The unlimited coil is $70 at NR racing. Lot of people get the predator it should work fine other than the hemi model the head is different and limited parts, you would have to look and see what is available.

raydhd

I see there all kinds of warnings on the VC site about many parts not fitting the hemis.

yamahag1cart

I'll check your build out Sho!

Thanks for the info, after tinkering with the cart today I am leaning toward a duromax. I can get a 440 18HP motor for just over $300 and could just run it stock. Saw a guy on youtube swap (a 16 HP version) of this motor into a G1. Looks straightforward and he spun the tires pulling out of the garage!

DURO

TUBE

yamahag1cart

Thanks for the heads up Ray!

Thinking of avoiding the predator all together now.. See post above but leaning toward a 18HP 440 from duromax. Also somewhat tempted to go uber cheap and go pull start only with this $219 420 IRONTRON , but its supposedly only good for 500 hours?!?

ProjectClubCar

As far as the duro-last 18 hp, it does not have a tapered shaft, it is a 1 inch Straight Shaft, no drilling or cutting is necessary.
I actually have a Duramax 18 HP that came out of a generator. Took the governor out and the low oil pressure sensor out and it runs like a top. And it is stock.
Here is a picture of that set up


I have a thread going in on the road carts, called dirty lowdown. There you will see a build that I am doing and it shows the 18 horse Duramax split open, it also shows the Straight Shaft. I hope this information helps