What can I expect from a GE raptor motor with my setup?

Jeffreynmandy

I have a 95 ezgo series cart. Here are the specs right now.

650 amp alltrax
48v upgrade
2 awg welding cables throughout
Emp 36v 2 stage motor- wired for speed only
18" tires- I have 21" I haven't installed yet.



Right now I'm getting between 20-25mph on stock wheels. Would I see a big increase in speed with a raptor motor? I'd want at least 5mph more to consider it worth the cost.


Is there a way to know what kind of Rpms it would safely turn with this setup?

BGW

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Sir Nuke

well can't say for sure.....some of the motor guru's might know the spec's of the motor you have now...

HOWEVER, I have a Raptor in my cart....although you have a 650 amp controller, mine is a 500.....and your at 48v and I am at 36v. I'm running 23" tires and I run 27 mph all day long, and a bump to 48v in my case would put me at around 33 to 35 mph.

cgtech

You will likely see 35+ with your intended tires. Keep in mind, this is a "street speed" motor that wont be happy if you slowly transform it into an offroader with huge tires & heavy loads (i put one in a huge 25" tire offroader, it didnt live long running in the wash sand, it was my fault for wrong application). I do really like that motor, and have built some amazing stuff with it.

JohnnieB

There appears to be more the one "Raptor" motor out there.
The AMD Raptor puts out 6.1 HP at 4600 RPM and the GE Raptor puts out 6.1 HP at 5330 RPM, so they are different animals, but both appear to be speed motors.

Unless otherwise stipulated by the motor manufacturer, I consider 6500 RPM to be about the max RPM for routine operation of any DC traction motor used in a golf cart. With 18" tall tires and 12.44:1 gears, 6500 RPM is 28.0 MPH and with 21" tall tires 6500 RPM is 32.6 MPH.

Your motor is spinning 5808 RPM at 25 MPH on 18" tall tires (if they are truly 18" tall), but I don't know how much torque your EMP motor is producing at 5808 RPM, so I cannot calculate how much speed gain (or loss) you would get with a "Raptor" motor although I do know the GE Raptor produces 6.19 ft/lb of torque at 5330 RPM and the AMD Raptor produces 5.34 ft/lb of torque at 4600 RPM.

My guess is that your cart would gain some speed with a GE Raptor motor, but cannot guess how much.

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Sounds like CG has some empirical data, I'll defer to his estimate.

Jeffreynmandy

It will definitely stay a street cart, but what about overweight passengers? I also have some moderate hills around my house.


Would those possibly cause problems with that motor?

cgtech

How many passengers? How frequent use "fully loaded"? Also, it depends on what you consider a "successful build", is 7 years between motor rebuilds ok? 15 years? Just like a hotrod car, the crazier you get, the more maintainence will be needed (or more frequent).

Jeffreynmandy

4 passengers, about 500lbs. I'd consider 7 years successful. I just don't want it to burn up in 7 months.


I measured my tires and they are a hair under 17" with 24lbs of pressure. I'll get a little more speed than I thought going to 21"


I'll probably leave it the way it is. with the 21" tires Id definatley hit 30mph. It's easily staying between 20-25 right now. It'll go 17-20 up hills.


I have a steering box and leaf springs to put on. At 25 I'm just trying to hold it on on the road. I can't imagine 30+.

It's not really safe to carry a family at those speeds. High speed runs would be with just me on it.

cgtech

I tend to agree, 500lb of "cargo" at 30+mph is a lot more than intended for a golfcart. Sounds like you have a real nice setup now. I would say just get a set of bigger "street" tires & wheels (like 10 or 12" rims and about 20" overall height) and enjoy the setup you have. Sounds like the perfect setup. Go to a yamaha dealer and ask about a set of new "ptv" take-off wheels (they are 205/50-10, tall sidewall, tall overall height compared to stock), and some hubcaps for a cheapo wheel/tire upgrade.

JohnnieB

1. No pun intended, but get a fire extinguisher to carry in your cart.

2. Sounds like we are running about the same height tires. Going from 17" to 21" would up the speed by 24% and reduce the torque by 19%, so it would slow more on hills.

3. If you are hitting 25 MPH now, the 205/50-10 tires & wheels CG mentioned would up the speed to 26.5 MPH without much loss in torque.

4. Tightening up the steering and suspension will help, but it is still a vehicle with a short wheelbase, narrow track and a high center of gravity.

5. You are part of the family, so if it isn't safe for the wife and kids, it isn't safe for you either.

Sir Nuke

Johnnie, this is very true......BUT.....you know how guys are.....and we all have either seen this or done this....and the famous word are uttered..

"hey, hold my beer and watch this!!"