gt380 help

[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)

[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.

[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?

[Craig380]

You'd certainly get good traction with the weight of the motor close to the back wheels

[gt380gokart]

I can't follow a wiring diagrams...looks like spaghetti....

exhaust like a zonda car...I hope..