Yamaha 48V to gas conversion question

brettrose99

I just picked up a Yamaha 48V Electric Golf Cart from work. Already lifted and in MINT condition. The motor is seized and the cart sat for 2 years in a covered garage. My price was FREE. I want to convert over to gas for the main reason that I want to take the kids out on the weekends camping and trail ride without the hassles of bringing the generator along and all that comes with electric carts. Just gas and go!

Everything works, rolls and functions as it should, but the motor...

Looking at the cart... could I simply machine a sprocket for the rear differential, mount a motor with clutch system, chain drive and fabricate gas linkage? Or could I belt drive, which is better? I understand that nothing is "simple" lol ... I know that I will be giving up reverse by going gas and that is fine. I am highly mechanically inclined, but have never worked on a golf cart. Sine my initial investment is nothing into an basically new golf cart I don't mind spending some money, sweat and busted knuckles to convert this cart over. Any ideas, links and how-to's re greatly appreciated!

What motor?
Will the stock differential take the higher torque/speeds of a gas motor?

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

I would swap in a gas rearend. NO WAY i would give up reverse , but thats just me

bronsonj

I went without reverse on my swap. But I don't trail ride... Anyway, I just know to park it where I can pull out without needing to push it back.

People are amazed that my city-cart doesn't have reverse and it isn't an issue, but when you know in advance you don't have reverse, you drive/park it so you don't need it. But that's pavement driving, not trail. It makes a difference, I would think.

brettrose99

Any particular models that are bolt on to this cart? G16? That would give me the reverse... You are right and I have recently rethought the no reverse thing and it would be a pain in the ***, especially with the kids... Any suggestions on motors? Like I said this is my first Cart project... Done a lot on 4x4 trucks/Diesels, but this is my first.. I appreciate any ideas, thanks!

Also a stock gasser rear end would handle up to what HP/Speed/Torque?

jmz

If it were me I would put the first rearend with reverse in there that I could afford I believe the Yamaha g2-G9 rearends are plenty stout. Some other rearends might be strong too.

sho305

If you are looking cheaper build, sure I'd drop a G2/9 gas rear in there likely the cheapest and are durable. Then a clone 420cc those are $300 is all, it will have plenty of power for hills and such. You will have to work on making up an exhaust and cables and all that stuff, but you will have a nice setup for limited cash. You need the clutches off a cart, or the trans clutch at the least. You can buy one for the motor aftermarket but thats another 3 bills. Still you would have a new clutch not worn out, and those you can tune to run better on trails than stock ones do. You also need the generator off a gas cart unless you mount a car alternator on it and use clone electric start. For 300 they don't have much of a charging system on them, but are a pretty good copy of a honda. You would have a full on gas cart with near double the power of a stock one, and later you can modify the clone engine for more power or pull it out and put a vtwin in there.