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gt380 help
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 1:26 am
by gt380gokart
I have a gt380 motor in a go kart need to know how to wire the motor to run? (wires to alternator, points and coil)
Re: gt380 help
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 1:50 am
by Craig380
Hi and welcome, interesting project!
The standard 380 ignition system needs a battery, because the alternator is an excited-field type - the rotor is an electromagnet which uses battery current to magnetise it and excite the output coils. For a kart application, you'll only need a small 12V battery, but you can't run the motor without one unless you fit an aftermarket self-generating ignition.
If you look at the GT resources sticky posts, you'll find wiring diagrams, etc.
Re: gt380 help
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 8:35 am
by Coyote
I've often thought about a 380 or 550 in a kart. The stumbling block I always hit in my mind is the exhausts and the drive ratio. The transmission is made to drive an 18" wheel not a 10 or 12. That part is easy to figure for sprocket size (simple math) but the exhaust is a much different story. You do realize that straight pipes won't work I hope. What are your plans?
Re: gt380 help
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:16 pm
by Craig380
You'd certainly get good traction with the weight of the motor close to the back wheels

Re: gt380 help
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 5:45 pm
by gt380gokart

I can't follow

a wiring diagrams...looks like spaghetti....
exhaust like a zonda car...I hope..