My First Golf Cart Build..EzGo & Predator 212

cvcart · 06-27-2013, 10:43 PM

I originally started with a electric MELEX 212 my son bought for 150. And it's been put aside for now. (See 1st Picture)

But then I found a EZGO TXT (minus batteries)on craigslist for free. Now project has switched to the to the TXT. The plans are:

Restore the cart to like new or as close as possible. The cart is in hundreds of pieces right now and in many boxes but seems to be all there.
Predator 212 (stock for now) from HF.
TAV2 torque converter
10T sprocket to sparky axle (NO Reverse)

It had some rust damage to the frame that I have replaced. Sprayed the frame with Rustoleum heavy rust primer and finished it off with gloss black today, The frame looks like new.

geoffw · 06-27-2013, 11:23 PM

A 212 in a golf cart??? Are you sure you dont want at least a 390?

Its going to be severely underpowered.

bronsonj · 06-28-2013, 05:20 PM

Good job on fixing the cross member. Looking forward to seeing you complete this project. I have an 85 EZGO Marathon, 212 (ungoverned), TAV2 I am working on... Or would be working on if I ever get the time to.

Very interested to see how this goes. I ended up replacing the stock sprocket on teh TAV2 with a sprocket for #41 chain and 13t. I have that going to a 15t on the rear axle. I can't tell you yet how it performs because I haven't mounted the engine yet...

There are two other small-block builds that have been done on this site. Good luck and keep the pictures coming!

cvcart · 07-02-2013, 10:05 PM

This past weekend I was able to get all the springs and other suspension parts all cleaned up and paint to match frame. After putting it all together to make a rolling chassis I noticed the back end sits high after installing the HD springs. So I have to make a lift in the front to level it out.

The rear was about 4 inches higher then the front. I relocated the front axle mounts to the top and gained about 3 inches. I will need to get shorter rear shackles to bring the back down more. Right now I have the springs and shackles from the other cart. When i get the new spring bushings I will change the shackles.

The Cart is on the ground now as a rolling chassis. Starting to repair some of the sheet metal this week and then paint the rest of the parts.

cvcart · 07-02-2013, 10:06 PM

The cart is really light to move around. I was expecting more weight. The next big part of the project will be the engine craddle and support, also the 19 spline adapter to the rear axle. I haven't got anyone to tell me if the spline adapter will work.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006O0CGMK?tag=bestgoodsrevi-20

If it will work I can have it machined and a sprocket welded on at work.

sho305 · 07-02-2013, 11:01 PM

Be careful about setting the ride height with nothing on the cart. All the body and engine and riders will change it. I would guess the rear springs would be pretty beefy to carry all those batteries, but guess I have never looked into it.

Be sure to read the other posts on this, the one guy had his gearing all figured out and told how he put the sprocket on and all that, issues he had.

It is also very cheap to mod the GX200 clones, check out the gokart places like NR racing. They are very reliable too. You can get a few more hp by not doing that much to them.

Gas carts are typically around 600lb complete. I can lift the front of mine in the air, the back end is not so easy.

Gx390/420 clone would be nicer for sure, but then you can't use the cheap tav2 with that much power.

cvcart · 07-03-2013, 11:01 PM

I removed the old springs they only had 2 leafs in them and I know they wouldn't work for passengers. Also they were de-arched bad almost perfectly flat. The springs I am using are from the Melex cart and they are a 4 leaf pack with a crazy arch to them.

The EZGO spring mount on the passenger side broke off when I tried to remove the rusted springs. So again the Melex was a donor for more parts. The Melex shackles I'm using are almost 1 1/2 longer than the stock ones. That's why I was thinking to put stock back on.

bronsonj · 07-07-2013, 09:15 AM

I changed my TAV2 to have a #41 sprocket with 13teeth.. I couldn't find a place that sold a sprocket to fit the TAV2 that was #41 with 13t, so I bought a sprocket that would fit the Tav2, except it was too wide. Then I took it to a large belt sander, the stationary kind with a 4 inch wide belt. I used a mic to see how wide the original sprocket was, then I just held the sprocket as flat as I could and sanded down the sides. Worked quite well.

I did get my cart running while on jackstands. Haven't had it on the ground yet, but I think the top end will be a bit too slow. I am going from a Tav2, with a 13t to the sparky rear end which on mine is 14:1 I think. It is an 85 marathon I am running the axle from. I have also heard 12.44:1, dunno.

I am going to see if I can get it on the ground today and let you know what speeds I reach with stock wheels.

cvcart · 07-12-2013, 10:10 PM

Thanks for the info bronsonj. I saw your build thread and I posted on it asking how your motor ran. After I finishing building mine and I get all the bugs worked out. I plan on building the motor to 8 or more horse power. I been doing research on some of the gokart sites and think have have a good plan.

cvcart · 07-12-2013, 10:36 PM

Started installing the pedals, cables and wire harness. Also started fitting the body panels. I still need to install the floor sheet metal.

I bought the supplies to build the engine cradle. Ill start that next week.

06-27-2013, 11:23 PM	#2
geoffw Gone Wild Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 961	Re: My First Golf Cart Build..EzGo & Predator 212 A 212 in a golf cart??? Are you sure you dont want at least a 390? Its going to be severely underpowered.

06-28-2013, 05:20 PM	#3
bronsonj Gone Wild Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Saint Petersburg, FL Posts: 2,089	Re: My First Golf Cart Build..EzGo & Predator 212 Good job on fixing the cross member. Looking forward to seeing you complete this project. I have an 85 EZGO Marathon, 212 (ungoverned), TAV2 I am working on... Or would be working on if I ever get the time to. Very interested to see how this goes. I ended up replacing the stock sprocket on teh TAV2 with a sprocket for #41 chain and 13t. I have that going to a 15t on the rear axle. I can't tell you yet how it performs because I haven't mounted the engine yet... There are two other small-block builds that have been done on this site. Good luck and keep the pictures coming!

07-02-2013, 11:01 PM	#6
sho305 Vegas modded 420 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: West MI Posts: 15,445	Re: My First Golf Cart Build..EzGo & Predator 212 Be careful about setting the ride height with nothing on the cart. All the body and engine and riders will change it. I would guess the rear springs would be pretty beefy to carry all those batteries, but guess I have never looked into it. Be sure to read the other posts on this, the one guy had his gearing all figured out and told how he put the sprocket on and all that, issues he had. It is also very cheap to mod the GX200 clones, check out the gokart places like NR racing. They are very reliable too. You can get a few more hp by not doing that much to them. Gas carts are typically around 600lb complete. I can lift the front of mine in the air, the back end is not so easy. Gx390/420 clone would be nicer for sure, but then you can't use the cheap tav2 with that much power.

07-03-2013, 11:01 PM	#7
cvcart Not Yet Wild Join Date: May 2013 Location: Chula Vista, CA Posts: 51	Re: My First Golf Cart Build..EzGo & Predator 212 I removed the old springs they only had 2 leafs in them and I know they wouldn't work for passengers. Also they were de-arched bad almost perfectly flat. The springs I am using are from the Melex cart and they are a 4 leaf pack with a crazy arch to them. The EZGO spring mount on the passenger side broke off when I tried to remove the rusted springs. So again the Melex was a donor for more parts. The Melex shackles I'm using are almost 1 1/2 longer than the stock ones. That's why I was thinking to put stock back on.

07-07-2013, 09:15 AM	#8
bronsonj Gone Wild Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Saint Petersburg, FL Posts: 2,089	Re: My First Golf Cart Build..EzGo & Predator 212 I changed my TAV2 to have a #41 sprocket with 13teeth.. I couldn't find a place that sold a sprocket to fit the TAV2 that was #41 with 13t, so I bought a sprocket that would fit the Tav2, except it was too wide. Then I took it to a large belt sander, the stationary kind with a 4 inch wide belt. I used a mic to see how wide the original sprocket was, then I just held the sprocket as flat as I could and sanded down the sides. Worked quite well. I did get my cart running while on jackstands. Haven't had it on the ground yet, but I think the top end will be a bit too slow. I am going from a Tav2, with a 13t to the sparky rear end which on mine is 14:1 I think. It is an 85 marathon I am running the axle from. I have also heard 12.44:1, dunno. I am going to see if I can get it on the ground today and let you know what speeds I reach with stock wheels.

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07-12-2013, 10:10 PM	#9
cvcart Not Yet Wild Join Date: May 2013 Location: Chula Vista, CA Posts: 51	Re: My First Golf Cart Build..EzGo & Predator 212 Thanks for the info bronsonj. I saw your build thread and I posted on it asking how your motor ran. After I finishing building mine and I get all the bugs worked out. I plan on building the motor to 8 or more horse power. I been doing research on some of the gokart sites and think have have a good plan.

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