Yamaha G2 Gas Motor Rebuild or Swap

[smooth1977]

I have a Yamaha G2 gas golf cart that the rings are bad in. I am not a mechanic but am looking and anxious to learn. Also I like speed so looking for advice! Should I just rebuild the little motor? If I decide to go with a snowmobile motor how complicated would it be? Please advise my fellow golf cart proffesionals! By the way I love this website!

[GMB74]

Rebuilding your engine will not give you more speed unless you modify the engine. Check out the Big Block section for some ideas on engine swaps and what is involved in doing them.

[smooth1977]

Yes I understand I will not gain speed but with my mechanical skills being low was just wandering if the engine swap would be too much for me too tackle. I will check out some other post thanks.

[smooth1977]

How difficult would it be to drop in a rotax ski doo bombardier Mach 1 617 snowmobile motor in the G2? What would I have to modify on the cart?

[GMB74]

If you are unsure of your mechanical skills, I am not sure about how you will make out with an engine swap. How are your fabrication skills? Can you weld? Do you have a welder? The swap you are proposing is not a common one and will require some innovation in design and determination in execution on your part. Not saying it can't be done, just that it will be a challenge. Lots of people have attempted similar conversions, some have achieved their goal, most end up for sale on Craigslist as an overpriced collection of parts, half-cobbed onto a chopped-up chassis.

Grab a beer and spend a week or so reading the posts in this section and the Big Block section to get an idea of what you are getting into.

The easiest conversion would be a Big Block kit from Cart Parts Plus (CPP), one of the sponsors of this Forum. Everything you need in one kit, and technical support as well. Could be cheaper than either rebuilding your old engine or fabbing in a snowmobile engine, reliable and easily modified if you want even more power or speed.

Oh, and welcome to the Forum!

[smooth1977]

That is about what I have decided. I am very motivated and learn fast. I have a welder but dont consider myself a welder. I surely dont want and unfinished project in the shop. I will do it one day but may look into something different if only just rebuiding the little engine in it so start learning. I definately like some of your guys carts though so I will be around watching. Thanks for the honest reply.

Scottie

[Mike Mac]

A stock good running motor can get you 25 ta 28 MPH! That may be enough for a while!? I'd think about it!

[smooth1977]

I am going to rebuild the motor myself to get a little experience before tackling something as big as an engine swap. Thanks for the help guys I will definately keep you posted if not beggin for advice !

[GMB74]

Good idea. Check out the thread "G2 to G9 Service Manual Needed" and get a copy of the factory manual. That will have all the info you need. Post with any questions you may have as you go along.

[sho305]

The issue with a sled motor is you need the pipe (exhaust) on the motor to make good power. That pipe is huge, or multiple pipes sometimes.

The easy swap is a kit for sure. If you can make mounts and intake/exhaust you can put a cheap clone in or a v twin its a matter of budget. You can go further into sled motors, ATV powerplants, even rice rocket engines and car rear ends.

I put a clone 16hp into a G9 and it was a lot of screwing around getting everything hooked up. The mount was the easy part I had that welded up in no time. But the second one would go much faster. It is great in the cart the extra power is way fun but not enough it could be considered dangerous, and it runs about the same rpm so top speed is still around 29-30mph gps on 22 tires like stock will do...but it gets there much faster.

No doubt taking the engine out and rebuilding it will teach you a lot, there just is not much you can do to them far as power you really need a better cam in them and hog the head out. To get more speed you need larger tires or gears to gear them up, unless you put an engine in that can run high rpm.