Converting electric to gas?

asquarecan · 09-19-2009, 10:04 PM

Hey guys!

First post here,

I have been browsing the last couple days over a few forums and decided this by far had the most information and best laid out.

I am picking up an electric cart tomorrow I honestly have no clue what it is! I was told it is a Melex, I have tried searching and have no found a lot of info about them. I am not too worried about it since nothing is going to stay stock on it that doesn't matter.

I have a huge list of things I am going to do the cart but my priority is making it run first because it does not. I am going to be dropping a 450cc bike engine into my cart.

My major concern is for anyone who has done this, how do I go about getting reverse? I know I am going to have to swap rear ends and that is not an issue. I just am not sure if there is a way I can get my cart to back up!

Thanks!
Keith

scottyb · 09-19-2009, 10:42 PM

Any 4 stroke transaxle has reverse.

gaston · 09-20-2009, 07:09 AM

Welcome asquarecan

asquarecan · 09-20-2009, 01:14 PM

Thanks guys!

I just parked my cart in the garage!

The guy I got it from said it was either an 87-89 Melex. What ever it is it wont be it for much longer.

So for you guys putting aftermarket engines in your cart what is my best donor engine? I was thinking of getting an engine out of a 450cc bike or something like that but I dont have anything in mind. Any suggestions for make the conversion easier?

Plus Height of the engine is going to appear to be an issue :( I am going to be lowering my cart so I will have to figure something out there.

Thanks again
Keith

Flintrock · 09-20-2009, 02:04 PM

It's difficult to make a bike engine work with a stock transaxle, you typically see them with an an aftermarket axle with sprockets, but you lose reverse. Search on "bike engine".
Hard to stuff a v-twin, briggs or honda in a lowered cart, but possible and you still need a 4 stroke transaxle.
Snow mobile engines give a lot of bang for the buck, but can be finicky, and difficult to fit the muffler and expansion chamber in the cart, and of course you still need the transaxle. Again, lots of info here on those swaps if you search for it!

09-19-2009, 10:04 PM	#1
asquarecan Not Yet Wild Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 17	Converting electric to gas? Hey guys! First post here, I have been browsing the last couple days over a few forums and decided this by far had the most information and best laid out. I am picking up an electric cart tomorrow I honestly have no clue what it is! I was told it is a Melex, I have tried searching and have no found a lot of info about them. I am not too worried about it since nothing is going to stay stock on it that doesn't matter. I have a huge list of things I am going to do the cart but my priority is making it run first because it does not. I am going to be dropping a 450cc bike engine into my cart. My major concern is for anyone who has done this, how do I go about getting reverse? I know I am going to have to swap rear ends and that is not an issue. I just am not sure if there is a way I can get my cart to back up! Thanks! Keith
asquarecan Not Yet Wild Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 17

09-19-2009, 10:42 PM	#2
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,417	Re: Converting electric to gas? Any 4 stroke transaxle has reverse.

09-20-2009, 07:09 AM	#3
gaston Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 829	Re: Converting electric to gas? Welcome asquarecan
gaston Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 829

09-20-2009, 01:14 PM	#4
asquarecan Not Yet Wild Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 17	Re: Converting electric to gas? Thanks guys! I just parked my cart in the garage! The guy I got it from said it was either an 87-89 Melex. What ever it is it wont be it for much longer. So for you guys putting aftermarket engines in your cart what is my best donor engine? I was thinking of getting an engine out of a 450cc bike or something like that but I dont have anything in mind. Any suggestions for make the conversion easier? Plus Height of the engine is going to appear to be an issue :( I am going to be lowering my cart so I will have to figure something out there. Thanks again Keith
asquarecan Not Yet Wild Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 17

09-20-2009, 02:04 PM	#5
Flintrock Raised by coyotes Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 5,658	Re: Converting electric to gas? It's difficult to make a bike engine work with a stock transaxle, you typically see them with an an aftermarket axle with sprockets, but you lose reverse. Search on "bike engine". Hard to stuff a v-twin, briggs or honda in a lowered cart, but possible and you still need a 4 stroke transaxle. Snow mobile engines give a lot of bang for the buck, but can be finicky, and difficult to fit the muffler and expansion chamber in the cart, and of course you still need the transaxle. Again, lots of info here on those swaps if you search for it!

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