EZ GO Sport ST II Needs more power?

[lr3]

I picked up a ST Sport II from TSC a few weeks ago to help around the small farm I have in Central Fl. My son and I decided to put it to use and finally get around to filling in the ruts in our road that is approximately 1/4 mile long. I had a pile of dirt fill and loaded it into the bed, we had about 150 - 200 pounds in the back bed plus me 190 and my son 100 pounds. This thing would not budge with that load in it without a push from me, my son had it floored and I had to push to get it moving. Once we got going it was ok but it certainly didnt like it. My son ended up back on his Honda TRX and a trailer so we could fully load the trailer and partially load the EZ GO. I bought it to work but it doesnt like to work at all. The suspension is great when loaded but the engine lacks power. The manual says up to 500lbs in the bed but no way could mine haul that kind of weight unless I was on pavement maybe. I have some ATV trails on my property that we take our four wheelers and horses so I took the ez go on the trails to clear some trees with my chainsaw and the first creek crossing I went through I nearly got stuck. I had to back down the bank and try to get as much speed as possible to make it up the other side. I got stuck on several stumps and my son gets a kick out of watching me walk out of the woods heading towards the barn to get the Honda to pull out the EZ GO.
There is a point to this long story here, basically I need more power; do you suggest shortest belt as some have posted here? If so what size? I would at least expect this thing to haul a bed full of dirt which is why I bought it. Any information from those with experience would be helpful.

Thanks,

Charles

[cuzky]

what part of Fl. are you ?

[lr3]

I am in SW Ocala

[Genuis]

I picked up a new ST Sport II a few months ago also.
Within a few days it got a 6in lift and a set of 25in tires.
Mine has the Robins engine (350) which motor do you have?
FYI mine pulls and climbs fine, even with the 25in tires.
With a load I do pay close attention to the terrain I'm headed at!
I pull a 5X7 trailer all around my property with ease, sometimes
around a 1000lbs.. but never up a steep hill without a bit of a run.
I'm at 225lbs my buddy 250lbs + 60 cans of beer 2 big bags of ice
and a large cooler no problem.
I have never had to push mine to get it to take off loaded,
if so it would be WAY OVER loaded.
Then again I would never attempt a hill loaded from a dead stop.
Dose your motor dog down or is the belt slipping?
Gene

[lr3]

Nice to hear you can put a lift kit and not have any power problems. What kit did you buy? Yes mine has the Subaru Robbins 350; the belt is not slipping at all as far as I can tell. I have problems mostly from a dead stop, I have a lot of stumps, high grass, rocks, downed trees etc. and if I stop I have a hard time getting up and over obstacles. I am more concerned about torque.

Thanks for the reply

[ruredy]

The shorter belt will fix that, it effectively changes the starting gear ratio of the cvt allowing you to pull greater loads.
Get this one.....
there is also some part numbers for gates and another auto store in the thread about shorter belts.
Ezgo 89 -91 2cyc cart. Its 41" long, OEM # 22337-G1

Be careful on those hills
If I remember right the sport still has the straight axle up front, a drop axle will provide more clearance for those pesky stumps

[Genuis]

Jakes spindle lift...nice kit.
Well maybe go with a shorter belt, should help!
Also a taller tire may help you roll over stuff easier....;)
Mind if I ask what you give for yours, mine was $5000
Gene

[lr3]

$4995 to be exact. I appreciate the information and the quick replies. I will defiantly try the shorter belt and then eventually move up to the lift kit. I like the idea of larger tires to get up over obstacles. I will make a video this weekend and post it with my stock set-up going through the trails.

Charles

[cuzky]

Charles,I tried to send you a PM.

[lr3]

never got it