Yes, you absolutely can make your golf cart go faster! Many methods exist to increase your golf cart’s top speed, ranging from simple adjustments to major part replacements. This guide covers the best ways to boost your cart’s speed safely and effectively.
Why People Want Faster Golf Carts
People modify their golf carts for several reasons. Some use them on large properties or farms where quicker travel saves time. Others want better performance for off-roading or simply enjoy the thrill of a faster ride. If your cart feels slow, these golf cart speed modifications can bring back the fun.
Initial Checks Before Modifying Speed
Before spending money on new parts, check the basics. A slow cart is often just an unhealthy cart. Fixing these simple things can sometimes give you the speed boost you need without major investment.
Tire Pressure Matters
This is the easiest fix. Low tire pressure creates more rolling resistance. This means the motor has to work much harder to move the cart.
- Check the side wall of your tire for the correct PSI (Pounds per Square Inch).
- Inflate all tires to this exact pressure.
- Correct pressure helps your cart move easily.
Battery Health is Key
For electric golf carts, battery health directly affects speed and power. Weak batteries cannot supply enough current (amps) to the motor when you press the pedal hard.
- Test each battery individually for voltage.
- Ensure the water levels (for flooded lead-acid batteries) are correct.
- Old, weak batteries limit maximizing golf cart performance. Consider replacing them if they are over five years old.
Check for Drag and Weight
Is something slowing the cart down besides the engine?
- Remove any heavy items you don’t need to carry daily. Less weight equals more speed.
- Check the brakes. Are they dragging slightly? Make sure the brake pads are not rubbing on the drums or rotors when the pedal is up.
Simple Speed Tweaks: The Controller and Limiter
The easiest way to gain speed often involves adjusting the cart’s brain—the speed controller.
Golf Cart Speed Limiter Removal
Most modern golf carts come from the factory with a speed limiter set in the electronic controller. This keeps the cart street-legal in some areas or protects the motor.
Can I remove the speed limiter? Yes, often you can. This is usually the first step for anyone looking for golf cart speed modifications.
The process differs by brand (Club Car, EZ-GO, Yamaha). Often, it involves a specific sequence of key turns, pedal presses, or using a specialized diagnostic tool.
- Consult Your Manual: Always check your owner’s manual first.
- Dealer Programming: Some newer, high-end models require dealer software access to change limits.
- External Devices: Some aftermarket speed chips or magnets can trick the controller into ignoring the limiter, but these can sometimes void warranties.
Exploring the Golf Cart Controller Upgrade
The controller manages how much power flows from the batteries to the motor. A stock controller limits both speed and acceleration. A golf cart controller upgrade is a major step in golf cart performance upgrades.
Higher-end controllers allow more amperage to flow. More amps mean more torque and higher top speeds, provided your motor can handle it.
| Stock Controller | Performance Controller | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Limits current flow (e.g., 250 amps) | Allows higher flow (e.g., 350+ amps) | More power for acceleration and top speed. |
| Fixed speed settings | Adjustable throttle curves | Custom feel for speed control. |
| Lower heat tolerance | Better heat dissipation | Longer life under stress. |
When shopping for a new controller, ensure it matches your cart’s voltage (36V, 48V) and that your motor can accept the increased amperage. Pushing too much power through a stock motor designed for lower amps can cause overheating and damage.
Tire and Wheel Choices for Speed
Tires are surprisingly important for speed. Bigger tires increase the distance the cart travels with every wheel rotation. This is called “tire gearing.”
Tire Diameter and Gearing
If your stock tires are 18 inches tall, and you switch to 22-inch tires, your cart will go faster at the same motor RPM (Revolutions Per Minute).
- Calculation Note: Doubling the tire size does not double the speed. The speed increase is directly related to the ratio of the new diameter to the old diameter.
How to Calculate Speed Gain:
(New Tire Diameter / Old Tire Diameter) = Speed Increase Factor
If you go from an 18-inch tire to a 20-inch tire: (20 / 18) = 1.11. This means you get about an 11% speed increase if the controller allows the motor to spin that fast.
The Trade-off: Torque vs. Speed
When you install larger tires, you change the effective gear ratio. This sounds good for speed, but it costs you torque (pulling power).
- Downside: Your cart will accelerate much slower. Going up hills might become difficult, especially with a stock motor and controller.
- Solution: To use larger tires effectively and increase golf cart top speed without killing hill climbing, you often need a matching golf cart controller upgrade and potentially a stronger motor.
Wheel Weight
Heavier wheels require more energy to spin up. Lighter, high-quality aluminum wheels reduce rotational mass. This small change can improve throttle response and slightly boost top speed because the motor wastes less energy fighting wheel weight.
Advanced Electric Golf Cart Tuning
To truly push the limits of speed, you need to look deeper into the electrical system and the motor itself. This is where serious electric golf cart tuning begins.
High-Capacity Batteries
More voltage equals more potential speed. A 48-volt cart runs faster than a 36-volt cart because the motor spins faster at the same settings.
- Upgrading Voltage: If your cart is 36V, switching to 48V (requiring new batteries, a new controller, and often a new solenoid) is a huge performance leap. If you are already at 48V, ensure you are using high-quality deep-cycle batteries or consider Lithium-ion packs for lighter weight and more consistent power delivery.
Motor Upgrades: The Heart of Speed
The stock motor is designed for balance—decent speed and decent torque for golf course use. For real speed, you need a motor built for performance. This involves looking at golf cart motor upgrades.
Motors are rated by continuous horsepower (HP) and maximum RPM.
- High-Speed Motors: These motors are wound differently to spin faster at a given voltage. They are perfect for flat terrain where you want raw top speed.
- High-Torque Motors: These motors prioritize pulling power. They often have a slightly lower top speed but excel at accelerating heavy loads or climbing steep grades. They are usually better if you use large tires.
When selecting a motor, always match its specifications to your controller’s amperage rating. A powerful motor will demand high amps; a weak controller will starve it, leading to poor performance and potential damage to the controller.
Solenoids and Wiring
The solenoid acts like a heavy-duty switch, handling the massive current flow to the motor.
- High-Amp Solenoid: If you install a high-amperage controller (e.g., 400A), a stock solenoid might bottleneck the power flow or even burn out. Installing a high-amperage solenoid ensures the full power from the controller reaches the motor. This is crucial for maximizing golf cart performance.
Upgrading to thicker gauge wiring (like 2-gauge instead of standard 4-gauge) reduces electrical resistance. Less resistance means less energy lost as heat and more energy delivered to the motor, leading to slightly better speed and range.
Considering High-Speed Golf Cart Kits
If you are serious about speed, looking at high-speed golf cart kits simplifies the process. These kits usually bundle matched components:
- Performance Controller
- High-Speed Motor
- Heavy-Duty Solenoid
- Often, upgrade wiring harnesses
Kits are designed so that the parts work together efficiently. For example, the motor won’t demand more amps than the controller can safely deliver. These kits are often the best route for achieving significant increases, like pushing a 15 mph cart to 25 mph or more.
Going Gas: Speed Secrets for Internal Combustion Carts
If you have a gasoline-powered golf cart (often used for hunting or rough terrain), the approach to speed modification is different but similar in principle: increase airflow and fuel delivery, and improve exhaust flow.
Carburetor Adjustments
Most gas carts run slightly lean from the factory for emissions control.
- Jetting: Replacing the stock carburetor jet with a slightly larger one allows more fuel into the engine. More fuel and air mean a bigger explosion, which creates more power. This requires careful tuning to avoid running too rich or too lean.
Exhaust Systems
A stock exhaust is designed to be quiet. A performance exhaust system reduces back pressure, allowing the engine to “breathe” out spent gases more easily. This lets the engine produce more horsepower at higher RPMs.
Camshaft Swaps
For serious power, replacing the stock camshaft with a performance camshaft changes when the engine valves open and close. This is much more involved and requires mechanical expertise, but it unlocks significant power gains at higher speeds.
Safety First: The Limits of Speed Modification
Making your golf cart faster brings significant risks. Speed requires safety measures to match. This is crucial when discussing golf cart performance upgrades.
Braking System Integrity
If you double your top speed, your braking distance increases dramatically. Stock brakes are often inadequate for high speeds.
- Upgrade Considerations: Ensure your brake pads/shoes are new. For carts exceeding 20 mph consistently, consider upgrading to hydraulic disc brakes if your cart model allows.
Suspension and Steering
Faster speeds put more stress on the suspension components, bushings, and steering linkage. Worn parts can lead to dangerous wobbling or loss of control at high velocity. Inspect these regularly.
Tire Ratings
Standard golf cart tires are rated for low speeds (usually 15-20 mph). If you plan to drive at 25 mph or higher regularly, you must switch to tires explicitly rated for those speeds. Using low-speed tires at high speeds risks catastrophic failure (blowout).
Legal Considerations
Important: Modifying a cart to exceed local speed limits can make it illegal for street use, even if it was previously permitted. Check your local laws regarding golf cart speed restrictions, required safety equipment (like mirrors and seatbelts), and insurance needs before making major changes. Ignoring this can lead to fines or having your vehicle impounded.
Summary of Key Speed Components
To achieve serious speed gains, you usually need a combination of these faster golf cart parts:
| Component | Typical Speed Gain Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Controller Upgrade | Moderate to High | Unlocks current capability of the motor. |
| Motor Upgrade | High | Changes the fundamental speed potential (RPM). |
| Voltage Increase (36V to 48V) | High | Direct increase in motor speed potential. |
| Larger Tires | Moderate (if controller allows) | Increases distance per rotation; costs torque. |
| Speed Limiter Removal | Low to Moderate | Essential first step; unlocks factory settings. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I find my golf cart’s current speed limiter setting?
The method varies greatly by manufacturer. For EZ-GO TXT/RXV models, speed settings are often programmed through the tow/run switch or by pressing the pedal in a specific sequence while the key is turned. For Club Car, programming often requires an official handheld diagnostic tool. Always search for specific instructions related to your cart’s year and model.
Will increasing my golf cart’s speed shorten the lifespan of the batteries?
Yes, generally. When you demand more speed, the controller pulls higher amperage from the batteries, especially during acceleration. High discharge rates put more stress on battery plates, which can shorten their overall cycle life compared to running the cart gently within its factory limits.
Can I use a magnet to speed up my EZ-GO golf cart?
On older model EZ-GO carts, a speed magnet placed near the speed sensor (often on the differential) tells the controller the wheels are spinning slower than they actually are, allowing the cart to go faster. However, this is a rudimentary method and will not work on modern PDS (Programmed Drive System) or AC-driven carts, which rely on sophisticated controllers.
If I install a high-speed motor, do I have to change my tires?
Not necessarily, but it is highly recommended. If you install a motor designed to spin at 4000 RPM, but your stock 18-inch tires only allow the cart to reach 3500 RPM before hitting its natural top speed, you are wasting the motor’s potential. Matching golf cart performance upgrades ensures all parts work well together.
Does the weight of the driver affect the top speed significantly?
Yes. Since golf carts have relatively small motors, every extra pound requires more energy to move. A heavier driver will notice slower acceleration and a slightly lower top speed compared to a lighter driver on the exact same cart setup.