Reccomendation???

[fenters2005]

Hey guys wassup, i'm gonna purchase my drive train here in another week or two and i want to purchase a torq-a-verter. but i see different ones. with different numbers. what would you guys buy in my situation. i cant seem to figure it out on my own.

my stats:
1. i'm 6'4" 250 lbs
2. not really lookin for anything over 45+ mph(which wouldnt be bad tho)
3. i have a sterling 6.5 hp engine.
4. lookin for one to have the get out the hole power for running my neighbors golfs carts. and just havin fun with in the neighbor hood.
5. oohhh and maybe smoke the tires once in a while.

thanks guys....

[CritterBuddy]

There are 2 types of torgue-a-verters available. One setup is with a seperate driver and driven unit which will also require you to add a jackshaft to the BSR. The one I would recommend and the easiest to setup and install is the TAV2. The TAV2 has everything in one unit and you simply bolt it directly to your engine block. The only decisions to make with it is what size chain you will be running (#35 or #41) and making sure you get the right size to fit your engine output shaft (with Sterling 6.5 hp probably 3/4"). Be sure to have your barstool handy while fitting the engine with TAV2 as some of the members have had leg clearance issues.

Using any type of drive unit is always a trade-off between top speed or out-of-the-hole power - you can't have both. The good thing about torque-a-verters is they adjust themselves for efficient power useage throughout your BSRs range based on the load applied. They start out with something like an 8:1 gear ratio for good out-of-the-hole performance and at top speed adjust themselves to just a hair over 1:1 gear ratio for good top speed. They also last a whole lot longer than standard centrifigul clutches.

You can adjust your out-of-the-whole performance or top speed some by changing the size of the output gear on the TAV2 as several are available. You can also make your own out of a Type "B" sprocket by modifying it yourself so it fits properly. You can also adjust your performance by changing the size of your axle sprocket. I think most of the members here are running either a 54 or 60 tooth axle sprocket. The thing to watch here is the diameter of the sprocket so it isn't too close to the same size as the diameter of your rear tires. I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences in this area.

Unless someone recommends something different, I would start with the stock drive gear that comes with the TAV2 and a 54 tooth rear axle sprocket and see how your BSR performs. To me, going 30 mph on a BSR is equivilent to going 100 mph in a car - it's a rush! Adjustments to gearing as mentioned before can be made easily later and don't cost that much to do.

Post pictures of your build and be sure to let us know how it turns out!!

[fenters2005]

thank you i just learned there's 2 type of tav out there. so i gonna get the tav2.

so what is the different in the two chains #35 #41? is it the size of the chain? and what is common on a barstool?

You can adjust your out-of-the-whole performance or top speed some by changing the size of the output gear on the TAV2 as several are available. You can also make your own out of a Type "B" sprocket by modifying it yourself so it fits properly.

sorry i just dont understand yet maybe when i get it i will see?

and why is it wrong to get the sprocket the same saze as the rear tire? performance or ground clearence issues or both? please explain.

ohh thank you for taking the time to deliver the message to me. thanks ryan.

[stool-sample]

Its the pitch of the chain. # 35 will be shorter between links. This makes it smaller than #40/41 You need the tav and sprocket to have the same pitch. I have always used # 40 but some guys liked the #35. I guess its in the preferance! You will need the sprocket smaller than your rear tires for clearance. Look at gearing as well. I have used 12 tooth on the tav and beteween 54 - 64 tooth on the sprocket. Gearing can be confusing at times.

[fenters2005]

Gearing can be confusing at times.

i agree right now with ya LOL.....

[Mike Bean]

Hey Fenters,

I have always run a 54T and a 40T sprocket. Since you going with a 6.5HP and a TAV2, if you want more speed go with the 40T, a little more power the 54T.

I would not go any higher than the 54T because you will start losing speed and I do not think you will happy.

#41 chain is what I have used on all of mine. I prefer it because it is a bit larger and stronger in my opinion.

Hope that helped!

Mike Bean

[CritterBuddy]

The TAV2 basically consists of a drive unit, drive belt, driven unit, and output sprocket (mounted together with the driven unit on a jackshaft) all mounted together on a plate which you simply bolt to your engine. The plate is designed so the drive unit fits on your engine output shaft to transfer power to the TAV2. Power is then transferred from the drive unit through the drive belt to the driven unit. Power is then transferred from the driven unit through the jackshaft to the output sprocket. To finish, power is transferred from the output sprocket through the chain to the axle sprocket and then to the drive wheel(s).

Depending on the size chain you plan to run on your BSR, you will get the corresponding TAV2 unit with the correct output sprocket to fit your chain. If you get the #35 size chain, the TAV2 will have a 12 tooth output sprocket. If you get the #41 chain, the TAV2 will have a 10 tooth output sprocket. Right now the number of teeth on the output sprocket is not that important so I would start with whatever comes with the TAV2.

The output sprocket on the TAV2 is called a Type "A" sprocket. If you were to look at it from the top you would see the teeth the chain rides on and on each side of that you would see a shoulder called the hub. The total width of the sprocket would be measured from the outside of one hub to the outside of the other hub. You can buy direct replacement output sprockets ranging from about 8 teeth all the way up to about 12 teeth if you choose to replace it later to change your performance.

Another type of sprocket which can be used on the TAV2 is the Type "B" sprocket. If you look at it from the top you would again see the teeth your chain rides on and a hub on one side but a very short hub on the other side so the total width of the sprocket is less. To use this sprocket you would have to add spacers on the short hub side to get the same width as the Type "A" sprocket in order for it to fit properly on the TAV2. I have seen Type "B" type sprockets with up to 20 teeth on them.

One final note about output sprockets. As with all gearing, your actual performance will depend on the power available from the engine and load (weight) applied to the vehicle including tire size. Unfortunately, this is not an exact science as it will vary from vehicle to vehicle. Though putting a larger output sprocket on (more teeth) will increase your top speed, if you exceed the horsepower output of your vehicle or have too much weight on it or your tire size is too large, it can actually slow down your top speed. On the otherhand, with smaller increases of the number of teeth on the output sprocket, I have seen vehicles not only increase their top speed but also make the vehicle quicker. Confusing, huh? Sorry, it's just the nature of the beast and takes time to learn... Hell, I'm still learning...


Hope this helps.

[fenters2005]

thank you both. i'm starting to understand better. sorry to make you type so much critterbuddy. thanks alot.

[CritterBuddy]

No problem, fenters. I've rebuilt several TAV2s so am quite familiar with them and the modifications you can do to them. I've always been a little "wordy" if you will but if helps you or anyone else on the board I don't mind at all.

[fenters2005]

so i'm thinkin of just going with the #41 chain tav2 with a 54t sprocket. will the output sprocket A automatically come with the tav2 or will i need to say A or B? gonna order when ever theres a good deal on ebay i reckon tryn not to spend over $150 shipped.

thanks again. ryan.

[CritterBuddy]

The Type "A" output sprocket will come with the TAV2. The only thing you'll have to watch for (besides a good price) is that the TAV2 will fit your engine output shaft. Check your engine shaft and I think it will be a 3/4" shaft for your Sterling 6.5 hp.

[fenters2005]

it is 3/4"..cool ....

[fenters2005]

one more question. since i have a 6.5 sterling it has a 3/4 shaft 3/16 keyway will the tav2 have the option of a 3/16 keyway?

[fenters2005]

one more question. since i have a 6.5 sterling it has a 3/4 shaft 3/16 keyway will the tav2 have the option of a 3/16 keyway?

or is it 3/4"= 3/16" keyway and 1" shaft = 1/4" keyway.

[jt_2004]

can u just use a clutch from a racing go-kart too? or is that a boo boo?

[fenters2005]

hey guys thanks for the info i recieved the tav2. ok on-to chains will a reg chain work #41 or do the nickle plated make anykind of differences?

thanks