How to Make a Go Kart Engine Faster

Go kart engines range in style and size from recreational-purpose karts with 15-horsepower lawnmower engines to high-powered 130 mile-per-hour race karts with 250cc dirt bike engines. Because of their compact, single-piston, carbureted design, go kart engines are well-suited to receive "do-it-yourself" performance upgrades. Improvements like high-flow air filters, high-performance carburetor kits and high-performance cams/pistons will boost your go kart's horsepower, torque and top speed.

Things You'll Need

  • Wrench set
  • Screwdrivers
  • Pliers
  • Rags
  • High-performance air filter
  • High-performance carburetor kit
  • High-performance cams/pistons
  • Engine or machine shop
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Instructions

  1. Air Filter Replacement

    • 1

      Locate the air filter or air filter box and unscrew the hose clamp that secures the filter to the carburetor.

    • 2

      Slide a new high-performance filter over the carburetor intake hole.

    • 3

      Tighten the hose clamp to secure the air filter to the carburetor. With this new higher flowing air filter, more air will reach the engine, resulting in increased horsepower and torque.

    Carburetor Adjustments

    • 4

      Remove the carburetor from the engine's intake manifold and disassemble it.

    • 5

      Replace the main jet, secondary jets and reed with a high-performance carburetor kit. During this process, you may also have the carburetor "polished" by an engine or machine shop. Both upgrades will increase air flow, reduce air drag and force more air/fuel mixture into the combustion chamber.

    • 6

      Rebuild the carburetor, taking care to not strip the soft screws that assemble the carburetor. Re-attach the carburetor to the engine's intake manifold.

    Mechanical Engine Upgrades

    • 7

      Remove the engine from the chassis and disconnect all components from the main engine body, including the air filter, carburetor, spark plug and drive chain.

    • 8

      Replace the cam and pistons with a high-performance kit.

    • 9

      Polish the cylinder wall and increase the bore if this is allowed by your local race sanctioning body.

    • 10

      Replace the spark plug with a short, hotter burning plug for increased fuel combustion.

    • 11

      Re-assemble the engine, reattach all components, ensuring all components are clean and lubricated as necessary, and re-attach the engine to the chassis.