Q&A for How to Build a Go Kart

Yes. It is a perfect parent-child project for pre-teens and teens.

Unless you are a professional, it could be very difficult. An electric engine requires a battery, which would add a lot of weight, and a smaller battery would die too quickly. One way you could kind of have an engine that uses both gas and electricity would be an electric start.

Probably the easiest way to have a working kart for cheap is to buy a kart from offerup or craigslist. It will be easier and cheaper to refurbish a kart instead of build one (I'm talking from experience).

If you want to have better acceleration or traction, consider buying a live axle. This puts power to both wheels. If this isn't enough, find a turbocharger or supercharger to put on it, and you could also put a motorcycle transmission on it.

If you are asking in relation to what is the main means of moving the kart around, not necessarily. The go kart instructions here are for a gas powered engine kart. A kart could be powered by a battery and electric motor. If you are just asking in general if they have batteries, then it would depend on the setup: A battery might be added for lighting or for an electric motor to start the gas powered engine.

You could ask your local go-kart club, as they'll have all the experience and knowledge you need.

No, but it would result in a more conferrable ride.

You could use 30 AAA batteries for the headlights, or about 15 AA batteries. The batteries should go as close as possible to the headlights so you would need fewer wires.

Depending on the size of engine, wheels, conditions, and weight, most go-karts can go about 20-25 MPH.

It depends on how you want to make it. Typical professional karts will weigh about 165-175 lbs.

A lawnmower would be difficult to use, as most of them have a vertical shaft engine, where go-karts use horizontal shaft engines. You could use wood, but it would be less strong than a welded steel frame would be.

If you are talking about how the engine starts, most engines have a pull start, and some have an electric start that sends electricity generated from the flywheel to the spark plug. If you are talking about how the go-kart starts to move, they use a clutch or a torque converter, which engages when you give the engine more throttle input.

You can, it will require a lower gear ratio to get more speed. But it will be more complicated to build.

Yes you can if you have bolts and nuts and drill pilot holes in the metal. This can be done by getting a cordless drill and a metal pilot bit to make the holes. Be sure to use oil when drilling, as it can star a fire if you don't!

Around 1000 dollars if you are using new parts. You can get parts from a backyard sale or scrapyard for around 300 dollars. Also, ask around to see what friends and family might be able to give you for free.