Not sure where to start. Please help with a swap guys PLEASE read if you can

Teddyca

So long story short, I bought a really cool looking cart last year that has since been a electrical nightmare. Going into the purchase I really didnt know what I was getting into. The cart looked great and ran perfect. Took it home and 20 minutes later the top end needed to be rebuilt. In the meantime I had the Generator/starter rebuilt, new solenoid, wiring, etc... Well I still continue to have issues. While the cart still looks great, I would LOVE nothing more then to gut the thing and put a simple Honda clone in there with minimal wiring. With that said here are the technical questions I have.

Does the Honda clone or any other affordable engine out there have a alternator onboard for lights and a radio?

If not can I suppliment it with a power capacitor or 2nd battery?

Can I add a alternator?

What under the seat can I ditch? I would love to get rid of everything but the diff and start from scratch.

Which motor, Clutch, etc...


Thanks guys. I am just starting to get the ball rolling in my head on this and if it is affordable I am going to take it on. I know its possible, anything is but can I make this a reliable cart for around $500?

BGW

__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum

jmz

What cart do you have ?

sho305

I put a clone in a yamaha and all I had to do was hook one relay to the cart wiring, using the power from the pedal, and have the relay ground the clone ignition to kill it when the cart was off. I used the stock yami generator to start it and charge battery just like stock, it works like a charm and runs just like stock cart. I got rid of the ignitor, coil, and pickup off the G9 engine and left the solenoid in there. You can use a key switch on the engine with electric start and use the gen just to charge. Most clones only have 3A charging, they say you can double that. Some with 3A have to charge the battery at times and others say they don't. Or you could mount a car alternator to it. Or try to find a clone that charges more. If you buy honda parts to get more charging they are expensive and usually needs a new flywheel they all appear to be different.

Teddyca

I have a pre 89 marathon with a newer front. Here are a couple pictures. I would love to gut it and start new with everything.


[/QUOTE]

crash12888

I don't want to sound cruelly honest but reading your other post you didn't know how to troubleshoot your previous issues and had someone else do a topend rebuild instead of doing it yourself.
Will you have someone else do the engine swap and work out the bugs?
Does that cart have reverse in the transaxle or will you need to buy a newer rear also?
I might be more inclined at this point to suggest selling it complete as it sits and buy a newer one that runs after spending some time on here reading all you can to inform yourself as to what is good, bad, gas or electric and so on.
You are in it so far $2700.00 or more and wanting to drop another $300.00 to $800.00 on top of it?
Inform yourself and look around at what $3300.00 will buy.

jeffrun

i installed a honda clone in my hm cart. It only had a 3A charger. I installed a compact denso car alt 60A and worked fine. I had to install a jackshaft to run alt and i placed clutch on jackshaft, because your alternator needs to be live all the time. The down side to this is you loose horsepower goimg to jackshaft then to differentional. Nice looking cart, most bb have 16-20a systems built in.

Teddyca

You are completely correct and while my few posts do seem sketch to say the least HAHA I intially got into this thing and had no idea where to start. When I first purchased I was under the assumption it would be troublefree for years. Needless to say when I dropped it off to have it gone through I never in the least bit expected to spend $800 on the motor. I got took to say the least. In my thought process here, if I rebuild the thing to new I should be fine AND I will know it inside and out. What I have spent on the cart is already money gone so I look past that. The $500 roughly to put in a new motor can be a project for my 13 year old and I. Its not rocket science. Hell I if can put this 750RWHP motor in a Corvette Z06 I am sure I can figure this guy out. Sorry if my posts sound like I am ignorant to the facts I just tend to blabber online. HAHA Thanks for the insight though.
Teddy

crash12888

There's a little smudge right under the throttle body!!!!!!




hehehehe,

juskiddin, Cool on your way of thinking and money well spent to get your son involved as well.
I'll bet the best time you will ever spend.
Keep us posted with updates and pics.

scottyb

NO way you are doing any kind of new motor swap for $500...... price a clutch, belt, air and exhaust mods..... Been there ~ it always costs more than you want to think. Clone swaps cost more and run worse than expected in my humble opinion .... Post pics!

Teddyca

Thanks guys and yes I CANT put a price on the team spent with TJ. He just turned 13 and has been talking about a car. Why not start with a cart. He can enjoy that now. As for issues with my current setup. Mechanically I am confident it is sound. My issues are electrical which I do not have the patience for. I put a new battery in and get nothing from the solenoid. That might be bad (was told by a lowrider buddy to shake the noid to see if it rattles) I also think the main board against the firewall is on its last leg. When running I have to play with the forward/reverse controls sometimes to engage. If I can pull everything out, hook it all up to a solenoid and some relies with the ignition that would be great. With some research I should be able to answer all my own questions. And YES I am fully aware a budget is not worth 2 chits but at least I can tell the wife I tried. HAHA The Z06 build budget was $5K. Lets just say that is LONG gone. Thanks again everyone for the advise and the rants on my behalf.