Can you make a golf cart go faster? Yes, you absolutely can make a golf cart go faster by making several upgrades to its parts. Many golf cart owners seek ways to boost the speed of their electric or gas-powered carts. Whether you use your cart on a large property, a golf course, or just around the neighborhood, having a little extra zip can be fun and useful. This long guide will walk you through the best ways to increase golf cart top speed. We will cover everything from simple tweaks to major golf cart speed upgrades.
Deciphering Golf Cart Speed Limitations
Before you start spending money, it helps to know why your cart is slow in the first place. Golf carts are usually set by the factory to meet safety rules or course regulations. They often run at a low top speed, sometimes only 10 to 15 miles per hour (mph). This speed is controlled by the cart’s electronic brain, the motor, and the tires. To go faster, you must overcome these limits.
Factors Setting the Current Speed
- The Controller: This part manages how much power goes to the motor. It has built-in limits.
- The Motor: The motor has a specific power rating. A weak motor cannot spin the wheels fast enough, no matter what else you change.
- The Battery System: Electric carts rely heavily on the batteries. Old or weak batteries cannot deliver the fast, hard bursts of power needed for high speed.
- Gearing: The gears inside the differential control the trade-off between torque (pulling power) and speed.
Simple Steps: Quick Wins for More Speed
You do not always need big, expensive parts to get a little boost. Try these easy steps first.
Checking Tire Pressure and Condition
Tires are the only part that touches the ground. They matter a lot.
- Proper Air Pressure: Under-inflated tires create more drag. Check the sidewall of your tire for the recommended PSI (pounds per square inch). Keep the pressure right where it should be. This small change can save energy and feel faster.
- Tire Type: Knobby, off-road tires create much more rolling resistance than smooth street tires. If you mostly drive on pavement, switching to smoother tires is a great way to modify golf cart for more power output toward speed, not fighting the road.
Inspecting for Weight and Drag
Less weight equals faster acceleration and a higher top speed.
- Clean Out Clutter: Remove anything heavy you do not need. Old tools, junk, or heavy accessories add unnecessary load.
- Check Brakes: Make sure the brakes are not dragging. If the brake pads lightly touch the drum or rotor, they slow you down constantly. A slight adjustment can free up speed.
Level Two: Electronic Tweaks for Performance
This section covers changes to the cart’s control systems. These upgrades offer significant speed gains.
Golf Cart Speed Limiter Removal and Adjustment
Most modern electric carts have a setting that caps the speed. This is often controlled by the golf cart controller upgrades.
- Accessing the Controller: On many E-Z-GO, Club Car, and Yamaha models, the controller is under the seat or floorboard.
- Making the Change: Some controllers allow you to change speed settings using a special handheld programmer or by accessing a diagnostic port. For factory carts, this might be set very low. Removing the limiter or setting the program to the highest speed setting is often the very first step in boosting speed legally for your specific cart model. This lets the controller send more power when you press the pedal down fully.
Installing Golf Cart Performance Chips
What are golf cart performance chips? These are small electronic devices that interface with the main controller. They change how the controller delivers power to the motor.
- How They Work: They essentially reprogram the speed and torque settings beyond the factory defaults. They can optimize the speed curve.
- Caution: Always buy chips meant specifically for your cart’s brand and model year. A bad chip can damage your controller or motor if it sends too much voltage or current. These chips are often a direct, plug-and-play way to increase golf cart top speed safely, provided they are quality products.
Upgrading the Golf Cart Controller
The controller is the “brain.” A stock controller can only handle so much power. If you install a stronger motor or batteries, a stock controller might burn out or limit the new components.
- Importance of Matching: To get the most out of golf cart speed upgrades, you need a high-performance controller. These controllers can handle higher amperage (current) safely.
- Key Benefits:
- Allows for higher top speeds.
- Improves acceleration.
- Handles higher voltage systems (like 48V to 72V conversions).
- Amperage Matters: Look for controllers rated for higher amperage (e.g., 300A or 400A instead of standard 200A). Higher amperage allows more energy to flow to the motor quickly.
Power Plant Modifications: Motor and Battery
To truly modify golf cart for more power, you must address the source of the power (batteries) and how that power is used (the motor).
Golf Cart Motor Upgrades
The motor dictates the maximum rotational speed. If your motor is designed to spin only so fast, no amount of battery power will make it much faster.
- High-Speed Motors: These motors are designed with different windings or magnetic fields to achieve higher RPMs (revolutions per minute). They are often labeled by their intended use (e.g., “High-Speed Series Motor”).
- Torque vs. Speed Trade-Off: Be aware that motors designed only for high speed might have less low-end torque. This means your cart might struggle on steep hills or accelerating from a stop, even though its top speed is higher.
Considering Voltage System Changes
Most standard golf carts run on 36V or 48V. Increasing the voltage is one of the most effective ways to increase golf cart top speed.
- The Math: Speed is directly related to voltage. Pushing 72 volts through a system designed for 48 volts usually results in a substantial speed increase (often 30% to 50% faster, depending on other components).
- System Requirements: If you increase voltage, you must upgrade the controller and the solenoid to handle the extra voltage. If you don’t, these parts will likely fail quickly.
Golf Cart Battery Upgrades for Speed
To support higher voltage or higher current draw from a performance controller, you need better batteries.
- Amp-Hour (Ah) Rating: While Ah primarily affects run time, high-quality batteries provide better sustained voltage under heavy load. Old, weak batteries sag in voltage quickly when you accelerate hard, slowing you down.
- Lithium vs. Lead-Acid: Lithium-ion batteries are lighter and maintain a much more consistent voltage, even under high load. This consistent voltage directly translates to more consistent, higher top speed compared to lead-acid batteries that drop voltage under stress. Investing in golf cart battery upgrades for speed ensures your new motor and controller get the consistent power they need.
Drivetrain Changes: Gearing and Tires
Speed is determined by how fast the motor spins and the ratio between the motor speed and the wheel speed. This is controlled by gearing.
Golf Cart High Speed Gears
The final drive gears are located in the differential. These gears determine the final output speed at the axles.
- Understanding Gear Ratios: Stock gears are often high-ratio (e.g., 12:1), meaning the motor spins many times for one wheel rotation. This gives great torque but low speed.
- Speed Gearing: To gain top speed, you install golf cart high speed gears with a lower ratio (e.g., 6:1 or 8:1). This means the motor spins fewer times for each wheel rotation, resulting in faster ground speed for the same motor RPM.
- Torque Penalty: Just like with high-speed motors, lower gear ratios mean you sacrifice low-end torque. Your cart will feel noticeably slower getting started or going up hills. This is the classic speed vs. torque trade-off.
The Golf Cart Tire Size Impact on Speed
Tire size has a direct, mathematical effect on speed. A bigger tire spins slower for the same motor RPM, but it covers more ground distance with each rotation.
- The Simple Rule: If you increase the diameter of your tires (e.g., going from a standard 18-inch tire to a 22-inch tire), your cart goes faster without changing any motor or gear settings.
- Example: Changing from an 18-inch tire to a 22-inch tire increases speed by about 22% (22/18 ≈ 1.22).
- Considerations for Bigger Tires:
- Controller Limits: If you only put on bigger tires without upgrading the controller or motor, the cart might feel sluggish because the motor is working harder just to turn the heavier, larger tires.
- Lift Kits: Bigger tires usually require a lift kit to ensure they clear the wheel wells, especially when turning.
Summary Table of Speed Modifications
| Modification Type | Primary Effect on Speed | Trade-Offs | Cost Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Controller Upgrade | Allows higher amperage/voltage use. | Requires compatible motor/battery. | Medium to High |
| Motor Upgrade | Increases maximum RPM. | Potential loss of low-end torque. | High |
| Voltage Increase | Direct proportional speed increase. | Requires total system component replacement (Controller, Solenoid). | Very High |
| High Speed Gears | Changes the final output ratio. | Significant loss of torque for hills/starting. | Medium |
| Tire Size Increase | Increases distance covered per revolution. | Can strain stock components; requires lift. | Low to Medium |
| Performance Chip | Optimizes existing controller settings. | Compatibility risk; limited gains over full upgrade. | Low |
Gas Cart Speed Modifications
If you have a gas-powered cart (like many older Yamaha or Club Car models), the speed limitations work differently. You usually cannot just install a “chip.”
Carburetor Adjustments
Gas engines often have governors or jets that restrict fuel flow to keep speeds down.
- Main Jet Change: Replacing the stock main jet with a slightly larger one allows more fuel into the engine. This usually requires fine-tuning the air/fuel mixture screw.
- Warning: Too much fuel without enough air, or vice versa, will hurt engine performance or cause overheating. This should only be done by someone familiar with small engine repair.
Governor Removal or Adjustment
Many gas carts have a mechanical or electronic governor that limits the maximum RPM of the engine.
- Electronic Governors: On newer models, this might be a wire you can disconnect or a setting you can change in the ignition module.
- Mechanical Governors: These are physical devices attached to the engine, often involving weights and springs. Adjusting or removing them allows the engine to spin faster, thus increasing wheel speed. This is a major golf cart performance chip equivalent for gas carts.
Exhaust and Air Intake
Freeing up the engine allows it to breathe better, creating more horsepower, which translates to speed.
- High-Flow Air Filter: Replacing the restrictive stock filter with a high-flow model lets the engine pull in more air.
- Performance Muffler: A less restrictive exhaust system lets spent gases escape faster, improving overall engine efficiency.
Safety and Legality Considerations
When you modify golf cart for more power, safety must be your top concern. Faster carts require better stopping power and control.
Braking System Upgrades
If you double your speed, you need more than double the stopping distance.
- Hydraulic Brakes: For carts running over 25 mph, switching from standard drum brakes to hydraulic disc brakes is highly recommended. This provides reliable stopping power needed at higher speeds.
- Heavy-Duty Solenoids: If you are running high voltage (60V or 72V), a stock solenoid might fail under the intense current draw. You need a heavy-duty solenoid rated for the higher voltage and amperage to prevent melting or fires.
Suspension and Steering
High speeds put more stress on the suspension components and steering rack.
- Check Bushings and Tie Rods: Ensure all steering linkages are tight. Loose parts can cause dangerous wobbling or steering failure at speed.
- Proper Tires: Ensure the tires you choose are rated for the speeds you plan to reach. Using tires meant only for slow neighborhood driving at 30 mph is dangerous.
Legal Road Use
In many areas, driving golf carts on public roads is restricted or illegal above a certain speed (often 20 mph). If you perform golf cart speed upgrades, you may change your cart from a low-speed vehicle (LSV) to something that requires registration, insurance, and specialized equipment (like turn signals and seatbelts). Always check local laws before increasing speed significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Will making my golf cart faster reduce my battery life?
A: Yes, generally. Pushing the system harder, whether through higher voltage or demanding more amperage from the controller, stresses the batteries. While golf cart battery upgrades for speed help sustain the power, running the cart at its absolute maximum speed constantly will always drain the batteries faster than cruising at a moderate speed.
Q: How fast can I safely make a stock 48V electric cart go?
A: A stock 48V cart usually tops out around 14-16 mph. By installing a high-performance controller, golf cart speed limiter removal, and slightly larger tires (say, 20 inches), you can often reach speeds in the 20-24 mph range safely, provided the motor is still stock. Going much faster than 25 mph usually requires upgrading the motor and voltage system.
Q: Do I need to upgrade my motor if I only change the gears?
A: If you install golf cart high speed gears (lower ratio) but keep the stock motor, the motor will spin faster for the same ground speed. If the stock motor was already near its RPM limit, these gears might push it over its limit, causing it to overheat quickly, especially under load. It’s often best to match gear changes with motor capability.
Q: What is the easiest way to get a small speed boost?
A: The easiest way is to check your tire pressure and switch to smoother, lower-rolling-resistance tires if you are currently using off-road tires. After that, checking if your controller has a speed setting you can unlock or using a simple programmer for golf cart speed upgrades yields the best immediate result for minimal cost.
Q: If I increase voltage (e.g., from 48V to 72V), what needs to be replaced?
A: At a minimum, you must replace the controller, the solenoid, and the batteries. You must ensure that the existing motor can safely handle the higher voltage as well, though most modern series motors are versatile. Ignoring these steps will lead to immediate component failure.