Just buying a 2009 EZGO GAS RXV...best way to speed it up?

slobdiddy

Hi there. I already own an EZGO Gas TXT carts from around Year 2000ish. 295cc 9HP and not as fast as I would like uphill. Pre-MCI engine and I live overseas, so its difficult to upgrade it.

Have just signed up for a 2009 GAS RXV. Road Usage Licence says its 410cc (but online specs say 401cc). I haven't driven this myself (as my wife test drove while I was working), but my wife says it's a lot noisier than the TXT, but a lot faster up the hills. New specs say its a 13.5 HP cart - is that right?

Please can I get your help with comparing the two models, and then ultimately what options do I have to make this quieter and quicker (without switching the engine over).

Also, is there a decent off the peg exhaust muffler that will quieten this thing down a bit. I'm told all of this type of cart are noisier than the earlier TXTs,

For my TXT cart, the best thing I did was to add a CartsPartsPlus machined 28 deg driven clutch with torque spring. I also managed to change the standard 18 inch wheels to 20 inch without a lift.

Many thanks

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BGW

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slobdiddy

OK I have found there is a direct replacement for the engine supplied by EZGO - Kawasaki 13HP engine # 633740.

Is this an upgrade? Will this simply bolt in? Will it improve performance and be quieter?

Many thanks

slobdiddy

Have signed contract now and get delivery in mid-late June.

Have read that there are issues with these and certain parts need replacing. Any help on this and the above?

cart around

Before you jump into modifying, maybe you should actually drive the cart, and see how it performs first.

BrewCityMusic

The 13hp Kawi engines are inherently noisier than the old 295's, not by *much* but it's noticeable due to it being a big 'ol 1-cylinder thumper. It's a whole different driving experience than the good 'ol Robins twins, some like it some don't - the powerband is totally different and many people miss the smoothness of the twin when they switch to the 401cc, like i said everyone has their own opinion.

The first couple of years that they did the 401cc (2008-9) there was a recall on the driven clutches, for a small bit of time they were installing a balancer on them but that didn't really solve the issues so they were replacing them with TEAM clutches until Kawasaki fixed the problem. If You have the old-style clutches, it's definitely a good idea to replace them with the TEAM setup as when the originals let go they often chew up the output shaft on the transaxle which turns into an expensive pain-in-the ***. On the downside, You're looking at $400 or so, on the upside the TEAM setup puts an additional 20% to the ground power-wise and is a HUGE upgrade over the OEM junk.

That engine is just an OEM replacement, nothing different and will not be any quieter, if Your old muffler is worn out it *may* shut it up a bit to replace it, but it's rare that those mufflers go bad unless they're exposed to extreme elements, which in Your case (salt air and beach sand) may be the case. They generally will rust from the outside in, so it'll be a fairly easy determination to make.

That TEAM setup is probably the only option that's going to give You the performance boost as You had going to a 28deg in your TXT - on the upside, these 401's have no rev limiter (valve float IS the limiter, LOL) so the governors can be tweaked fairly high, the drawback is that they switched to plastic governor assemblies in the rear end so *safely* getting the most out of a stock cart involves removing them from the rear end entirely or they will eventually grenade from the higher speeds and then You *really* have an expensive mess on your hands.

Get used to the vibration ("thump") of the engine as well as the sound, keep the speed tweaking reasonable and (if they haven't been) replace the clutches and the chances are You'll like the cart a lot (especially after the TEAM clutch upgrade)

slobdiddy

Thanks so much, this explains a lot about the noise and vibration. Didn't know anything at all about this cart...didn't even know it was a single cylinder. It was cheap and I pounced on it (or rather my wife did while I was at work).

Hope its ok to ask another couple of questions...

I test drove another of these RXV carts when I was on the hunt for a cart and I could hear the clutch clunking in quite alarmingly. I can see the TEAM primary clutch (644299) for $300 on the EZGO website - is this the correct part? Would this benefit from any machining + torque spring? Or won't it work on this style of clutch?

On the governor tweaking. Is there any "how-to" resource on this or a diagram so I can understand what to do?

On the muffler - is there a quieter option than the stock muffler or is the stock muffler as good as I'll get? Any other tips to make it a little quieter or do I just live with it...doesn't bother me so much, but the wife...

Thanks again. Really great info!

slobdiddy

I can only find the TEAM primary clutch on the EZGO website. Assume there should also be a secondary clutch? Anyone cart suppliers here who can supply both for me?

Many thanks

slobdiddy

Drove the cart this morning, but ownership transfer not for a month.

Engine sounds and feels surprisingly OK versus the other similar carts that I have driven. Lots of bits are rattling and squeaking, including some clutch/belt squeal. Also, pulls great up the hills but is gutless on the flat which I suspect means deleting the governor will help (assuming I can work out how to do this). Clutch clunked heavily when I set off but after that it was just the squealing that bothered me. If this is the problematic clutch then I would like to replace it and I would like to know who actually stocks the replacements.

I have included some pics of the clutches. I can read the number on the big (primary?) clutch only:
CODE MC400E - AS03 - P
E/NO MC400EA31271
KAWASAKI ASSEMBLED IN USA

Am a bit confused as what I thought was the correct replacement Primary clutch on EZGO website says "this clutch replaces previous part 618684".

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kgsc

Those are the old clutches. Bad news. These are the ones BCM was talking about https://shop.ezgo.com/products/Kawas...roduct_id=5866

Make a huge difference.

BrewCityMusic

KG nailed it, that setup is the one You need to look at getting on the cart (the recall was actually on the driven or secondary clutches, so replacing the primary alone won't do You any good) ... Before "Sticker Shock" sets in, LOL keep in mind that "Shop EZGO" runs 20% off sales several times a year so be patient and keep an eye on their site (or create an account / login and opt into their Emails, then You'll be notified when the sales are).

As to the governor, that's a little bit more work than just the clutches (but probably best done all at once) and is likely best done by a reputable EZGO mechanic, as it involves opening up the transaxle (rear end) - in my opinion, when You look at the other potential issues You could encounter by removing the governor entirely (IE over-revving engine to Valve Float or death, etc) I personally would go with the TEAM clutches which will give You a LOT more "Oomph" on the bottom end as well as much better acceleration, and then set the governor at a reasonable speed, say 18mph. As long as You avoid long downhill runs at full throttle, etc You should be fine and will save the expense of having the rear end pulled apart, as well as like I said, the *other* inherent risks in doing so.

Remember, these things were engineered to carry 2 people at 12-14mph on smooth, relatively level terrain (Golf Course) so that always needs to be kept in mind when doing mods. If You're going to expect 25-35mph, rough rides off-road, etc YES it is possible to make the carts safe and capable of handling it, but it generally ends up being a lot more than a "bolt-on" scenario to do it correctly and again, safely.