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Racemybuick's Guide to BUGGY MODS!!!

In every forum, in every technical section, over and over again, people ask the same questions:
What is the best bang for the buck? Where do I get one of those? How do you do that? What do I do now? How much does THAT cost???

To answer a few of these questions and more, I put together a little list that I feel, anyone willing to take the challenge to their own garage should check out first....

Question 1: Where do I start?

I feel that everyone should start on the easiest mods possible. The mods that require the least amount of tools and parts. RED-NECK intake, Uni Filter, and spark plug. Get the iridium plug, and get a piece of 1-1/4" PVC pipe, a fernco-coupling, and a Uni filter from KIDINME Karts, or from anyone you trust... It is as simple as this: Remove your old airbox... Install coupling on carb, tighten clamp... Install pvc pipe to coupling, tighten clamp, and install UNI, tighten clamp!!! lol... That's it!!! Then all you need is a little hotter plug to help that fresh air and fuel BURN! Cos of everything --plug, pipe/filter/coupling-- 25-40 dollars

Question 2: What's next?

Hard question to answer... What do you know? Do you have the proper tools for the jobs? Air tools, air compressor, socket wrenches and so on? If so, then you are half-way there. Next step would probably be opening the exhaust, or replacing the exhaust completely. Depending on the size of your excess $$$ pile, you may want to consider the DIY (do it yourself) and take a metal Hole Saw (1" or larger drill bit) and drill out the exhaust through the cap. Not a huge ordeal, you just need a drill. The other option is to remove the stock pipe, and spend 250-350 on a high performance pipe. Yes.... EXPENSIVE!!!! But probably worth every penny in performance gain. Either way you decide, you will increase the flow of exhaust out of the engine... If you followed step 1, you already put a cold air filter on there, and you perform one of these two options, you will now need to get your fuel delivery up to date.... that is the next step....

Question three... I keep hearing about re-jetting... How do I do it?

This should explain it: http://www.northeastbuggy.com/soaclan-about92.html
Jets cost about 5-6 dollars each, but there are so many to choose from, and making the right choice by reading the plug will help out GREATLY when it comes to cost!!!

Question 4: I've re-jetted, drilled/replaced exhaust, and added a UNI... NOW WHAT????

This is a couple mods that many argue should come first... Many feel these two mods give you the biggest bang for the buck, however, I feel these are not two jobs that every home garage mechanic should perform. You will need a 1/2" impact gun, 16mm and 18mm sockets, as well as 1-1/2 or 1-5/8th" socket to complete the next two mods.

Your transmission if you have a 150 or 250 buggy with the honda copy-cat engines, is a CVT transmission... Continously Variable Transmission--Simply put, the transmission has a lot of different forces working at once, to make the ride smoother, give you a wide band of power and operating ranges, and also have flexibility in different situations. By simply changing a couple parts within the CVT, you can greatly increase your performance, acceleration, and torqe for your buggy...

The parts I am talking about are: Rollers and torque spring. The rollers are found in your "Variator". This should explain it a little bit!!! http://www.northeastbuggy.com/soaclan-about94.html

The torque spring is a little more tricky, as there is a lot of pressure involved, and some ingienuity will be necessary in getting the clutch assembly apart to replace the spring inside... It is a coil spring, about 6" in height, and 1-1/2 in diameter... You change the amount of torque the clutch needs in order to engage, by spring by changing the spring... This will give you better torque off the line, as well as better hill climbing abilities. Most common is changing the spring to a 1500 lb spring or some have had success going harder, with a 2000 lb spring... I personally have the 1500!!!

Rollers usually cost between 15-20 dollars depending on the Kidinme karts is the official Kidinme karts is the official dealer for the NORTH EAST GANG! for the NORTH EAST GANG!... SLIDERS, the alternative to rollers (last longer, wear less, cost more), usually cost 25-35 dollars.

Question 5: Can I get more out of this engine?

The answer, probably!!! lol... But lets concentrate on things bolted to the engine that can be changed for performacne gains!!! IGNITION... You have a coil, which attaches to the spark plug. By installing a high performance coil, you can increase the intensity of the spark, for better fuel burn, more power!!!

If you dont already have one, it would be the most opportune time to get an iridium spark plug when you change the coil. While you are changing the coil, you may want to consider changing the CDI box. The CDI controls you timing to the coil, as well as engine timing and rev limiting. By installing a high performance/aftermarket CDI, you can eliminate teh Rev limiter, advance the timing a tad to keep up to pace with your new high voltage, and it helps with those top end speeds when you are maxing out! I should note that some people say they feel NO enhancement with their buggies when installing the CDI... But it is all in the eyes of the beholder!

Cost of these items usually ranges from $100-$130 for both items...

After these basic mods, the rest is about how far you want to go with the mechanical aspects of the buggy... High performance cams, carbs, and even larger cylinders and pistons are available in the aftermarket arena... But for the most common rider, the mods above will allow you to enjoy your buggy, without the worries of other mechanical issues or more technical problems...

For reference, my mods to date are as follows:

For comfort, I have changed the springs and the shocks on my buggy... Yamaha Blaster shocks in the rear:

Arctic cat ZR 800 shocks in the front with custom 150Lb springs:

Upgraded carb, intake manifold, jet, and filter:

And a bigger battery:

Clutch, variator, rollers to sliders, 1500 lb spring, clutch bell, and new belt!

TIRES!!!!!

all the mods listed above!!! Just check my sig!!!

Good luck, and hope this guide helps out!!!!!

John Very Happy

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Great job!!!!
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Dark_side_150

NE gang member!

Now all you need to do is rewire those lights a 3rd time so the wires arent visible, and it will look as good as it performs!

I still remember you had miles of wire wrapped around the roll bar last time.
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Owner and Cheif Operator of Offroadkarter Industries

lights are the last thing to do before the birthday bash!!! I have a whole week off for that!!!!

yippee!!!

John Very Happy

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oops forgot to log in.

Jamie
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2005 Twister Hammerhead 150SS

9 gram rollers, MRP Clutch, 2004 gear reduction kit, Redneck/Uni intake, gutted exhaust, Bando HP coil, Sandman/Blister reverse bracket.

Great post John!!!!

I will have to concur and disagree on a couple things LOL gotta get my digs in.

For those of you that don't know, I have a 2005 Carter Talon (well its now the wifes but in any case) the best and most beneficial mods that I have done to it were the addition of 10.5gram sliders, a 1500rpm engagement spring, a vented clutch bell, and a koso 3300rpm engagement clutch. It takes off way better and has the power to climb hills. Just those add ons alone puts the engine in its power band for maximum torque and pulling power. All of the above I have only had out of pocket expenses totaling about $300-400 not sure on the exact dollar amount but that is what you can expect to pay.

I personally made up my own exhaust pipe out of a supertrapp pipe for a dirt bike and just bought the packing to add into it. I don't like spending over $300 for just an exhaust pipe, because I am not made of money. Finding other cheaper ways of doing things to get a similar result is what I am all about. The supertrapp sounds really nice, and best of all it is tuneable by just adding or removing discs. Ask the NE Gang members, they will tell you how nice it sounds. You can always hack up your current exhaust to make it more free flowing, just be careful because these engines do need a little back pressure.

Although I have not done it yet, I do recommend the carburetor upgrade. As a rule of thumb, the more air you can get in the more gas you can burn so in turn the more horsepower you can gain. Don't forget, you CAN get too big of a carb. and some carbs. are meant for fuel pumps and some are meant for gravity feed etc. etc. etc. You can always re-jet, then replace the carb. down the road when you fall into some cash.

For the coil and CDI upgrade. Be careful, I would save this as my last mod if I did it at all. The only way I could see it working correctly is if you had a super high performance engine that ran on pure alcohol or airplane fuel or cam2 you may see a benefit. I have never hit the rev limiter on my buggy, and I think that some of the after market manufactures are luring people in on that fact. I may do it, but it will most likely be wayyyyy down the road if at all. John, I don't know, did it help you at all???

Also, John I love ya but I hate the UNI mod lol. To each his own, but once that UNI gets wet all of that water is going right into the carburetor and into the engine, and potentially into the engine oil if you have weak rings or other unknown engine troubles. UNLESS you make up your own air box. It is also possible to get the UNI or K&N filter into the stock air box (thus shielding it from the elements), like the one on my carter has a mini snorkel tube on it, which means I can get it pretty wet and not have a problem.

Also, if you know of somebody that can fabricate, you can skip all of this and just put a bigger engine into your buggy. The benefits are unreal but it does take a lot of fabrication. The easiest engine swap would be an electric start engine from a quad single cylinder and you would just have to match the chain up. Do a little research on your stock chainsize and get an engine that already uses that chainsize and has the drive sprocket.

For those that have some basic tools or know somebody that has tools, just get the mods I have listed above (1500rpm spring, 10.5 gram sliders, higher engagement clutch, a better vented clutchbell, and possibly a better belt and last a lighter front variator and fan). Just those mods alone will make you think you have a better engine WITHOUT actually tearing into your engine.

And John has also written some nice tutorials on the TECH page that are super easy to follow.

Yes, KIDNME can get you all of these wonderful parts.

P.S. another wonderful mod is just basic pre-ventative maintenance. It takes a few hours, but well worth it to notice something at home than breaking down miles away from home and to prevent premature wear.
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First NEBA Member

All you need to do is put an outerwear(pre filter) around your uni and it keeps all the water and major stuff off of it.
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Adam Dierkens
ACBlind

yerf dog 3209
NE "GANG"

Mods
gutted muffler, reverse, redneck uni, 39 Tooth sprocket, itp mudlites, larger front tires, carter and blaster shocks. tub fenders,10 g rollers, 1500 clutch spring
What's next?

SOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol....

wish I could install a snorkel, but reading previous posts on a different forum prooved that the snorkel would require some form of box on the carb and a filter inside, as well as the tube over the frame... Aesome idea, but for cost/effectiveness, I love the uni/K&N mod... My K&N was installed just before the NE bash, and after the bash, I took it home expecting to find it totally engorged in mud, as I pulled the sock, the filter was spotless...completely, utterly spotless!!!! I always clean it anyway (preventative maintenance!!!!) but I couldnt believe the effectiveness of the sock on the filter.... Jsut watch the video posted by Kidinme on buggynews and you will see what I put the DOOM 150 through!!!

DZ... THANKS!!!!!!!!! The ideas you posted are great! That's why I said PLEASE add-correct, whatever!!!

John Very Happy

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Always better to use protection Wink

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Dark_side_150

NE gang member!

Eeww that exhaust is disgusting! How can you have a nice cover like that and a rusting out exhaust bolted to it.

Time to upgrade!
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Owner and Cheif Operator of Offroadkarter Industries

why upgrade something that already outperforms??? lol... That is the ONLY stock component bolted to that motor anymore!!! lol.. and stock meaning it hasnt been replaced...but there is nothing inside of it!!! lol

John Very Happy

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the upgread i would like is a fing chain this guy Racemybuick is a loser who cant find this chain to thats what im looking for a chain and Racemybuick u know i love ya cuz lol

armon905 wrote:

the upgread i would like is a fing chain this guy Racemybuick is a loser who cant find this chain to thats what im looking for a chain and Racemybuick u know i love ya cuz lol

Dam.
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Dark_side_150

NE gang member!

he's learning Josh... One day, he'll learn what a period is (in a sentence), and he'll even learn how not to ask for parts from the cousin he likes the most in the family!!! lol... But... It is work in progress!!!

John Very Happy

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