Yes, you can remove the governor on a golf cart to increase its speed. This process, often referred to as golf cart speed limiter removal, is a common goal for owners who want increasing golf cart speed beyond factory settings. However, before starting any unrestricted golf cart modification, you must know your cart’s type, local laws, and the risks involved.
Deciphering Golf Cart Speed Governors
A golf cart governor is a device designed by the manufacturer to limit the maximum speed of the vehicle. This limit is put in place for safety reasons and to comply with regulations that classify golf carts as low-speed vehicles, often restricting them to speeds of 15-20 mph on private property or specific community roads.
Why Carts Have Speed Limits
Manufacturers set these limits for several key reasons:
- Safety: Higher speeds put more stress on the cart’s braking system and frame, which are not built for highway speeds.
- Legal Compliance: In many areas, carts exceeding a certain speed are legally reclassified, requiring registration, insurance, and different operational rules.
- Component Longevity: Keeping the engine (or motor) speed down helps the drivetrain last longer.
Types of Golf Carts and Their Governors
The method for disabling golf cart governor systems differs significantly based on the power source of your cart: electric or gas.
Electric Golf Carts: Speed Control in the Controller
Electric carts do not usually have a physical, mechanical governor attached to the motor itself. Instead, speed limiting is handled digitally by the Controller.
The Role of the Controller
The controller is the “brain” of the electric golf cart. It manages the flow of electricity from the batteries to the motor. Speed settings are programmed directly into this unit. To achieve increasing golf cart speed, you must reprogram or replace this controller.
Golf Cart Performance Tuning for Electric Carts
There are two primary ways to modify an electric cart’s speed:
- Using a Speed Key or Selector Switch: Some carts come with a switch or a keyed slot that allows the driver to toggle between different performance modes (e.g., Tow/Maintenance mode vs. Standard mode). Check your owner’s manual to see if such a feature exists.
- Controller Modification (Programming or Replacement): This is the most effective method for golf cart speed limiter removal.
- Reprogramming: Many modern controllers (like those made by Curtis or Alltrax) can be reprogrammed using a specialized handheld device or laptop software. This allows you to adjust the maximum current allowed to the motor, thereby adjusting golf cart throttle limits.
- Controller Swap: If you cannot reprogram the existing unit, installing an aftermarket high-performance controller is necessary. These controllers are often rated for higher amperage, allowing for better acceleration and higher top speeds. This is a direct form of golf cart engine tuning.
Gas Golf Carts: Mechanical Governors
Gas-powered carts (usually running small, single-cylinder engines similar to lawnmowers) rely on a physical, mechanical governor. This device uses centrifugal force (weights spinning with the engine) to pull on a throttle linkage, preventing the carburetor from opening fully as the engine reaches its designed top RPM.
Locating the Mechanical Governor
The governor assembly is usually mounted on the side of the engine block. It is connected to the engine’s flywheel via a shaft and links directly to the carburetor’s throttle plate via a linkage rod.
Steps for Disabling Golf Cart Governor (Gas Carts)
Removing or bypassing the mechanical governor requires mechanical work. This guide covers the general principles; always consult your specific model’s service manual for precise locations and parts.
Method 1: Adjusting the Governor Linkage
This method is often the first attempt for removing speed restrictor golf cart limitations, as it doesn’t require removal of the entire unit.
Tools Needed: Wrench set, screwdriver, pliers.
- Locate the Linkage: Trace the rod connecting the governor mechanism to the carburetor throttle arm.
- Identify the Limiting Point: Find where the governor arm physically stops the throttle arm from opening further. This stop usually involves a bolt or a physical bracket.
- Adjust the Stop: If the governor has an adjustable stop screw, gently back it out a small amount. This gives the throttle arm more room to move when the foot pedal is pressed. Caution: Do this in very small increments. Too much adjustment can cause the engine to over-rev, leading to catastrophic failure.
- Test Drive: Test the cart at low speeds after each minor adjustment. Listen for pinging or rough running, which indicates the engine is straining.
Method 2: Governor Bypass Cable (Temporary or Semi-Permanent)
This technique involves physically stopping the governor mechanism from controlling the throttle linkage.
- Locking the Linkage: With the engine off and the throttle closed, connect a sturdy cable or rod between the governor arm and the throttle arm.
- Setting the Open Position: Pull the linkage rod so the throttle is fully open (as if the gas pedal were floored). Secure the cable or rod in this position. This effectively bypasses the governor’s control over the throttle.
- Securing: Ensure the linkage stays firmly in the wide-open position regardless of what the internal governor weights are doing.
Method 3: Governor Removal (The Most Definitive Golf Cart Governor Bypass)
For a complete golf cart governor bypass, some owners opt to remove the entire governor assembly. This is the most invasive method and requires careful management of the remaining throttle controls.
Warning: Removing the governor completely means the engine has no built-in protection against over-revving.
- Disconnect Linkages: Carefully detach all rods and cables connecting the governor to the carburetor and the gas pedal linkage. Mark where everything came from.
- Remove the Assembly: Unbolt the governor housing from the engine block. You may need to remove the valve cover or other nearby components depending on the engine design.
- Plug the Hole: The hole left in the engine block must be properly sealed. Often, a block-off plate specific to the engine model is required, or a carefully fitted blanking plug with high-temperature sealant must be used to prevent oil leaks and contamination.
- Connect Throttle Directly: Reconnect the foot pedal linkage directly to the carburetor throttle arm. The cable or rod should now go straight from the pedal to the carburetor, allowing full throttle when the pedal is pressed.
Golf Cart Engine Tuning After Governor Removal (Gas Carts)
When you remove the governor, the engine can spin much faster than it was designed to. Simply removing speed restrictor golf cart hardware without addressing engine support can lead to rapid engine failure. This is where golf cart engine tuning becomes vital for longevity.
Upgrading Fuel and Air Systems
Faster spinning engines need more fuel and air to keep up.
- Carburetor Adjustment/Upgrade: The stock carburetor might not flow enough fuel for the increased RPMs. Installing a high-flow carburetor or carefully jetting the existing one is often necessary for reliable performance at higher speeds.
- Air Filter: Upgrade to a high-flow air filter to ensure the engine isn’t starving for air.
Ignition System Enhancement
Proper ignition timing is crucial at high RPMs.
- Spark Plugs: Install colder spark plugs, which resist pre-ignition (knocking) when the engine runs hotter due to increased load.
- Ignition Coil: A hotter, more powerful spark from an upgraded coil ensures complete combustion even when the engine is turning rapidly.
Drive Train Modifications
More engine power means nothing if the drive train can’t handle it or can’t translate it to wheel speed effectively.
| Component | Why Upgrade? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive Belt (CVT systems) | Higher speeds generate more heat and slippage. | Use a heavy-duty belt designed for higher stress. |
| Clutch Springs | To engage the clutch at higher engine RPMs. | Ensures power transfer happens when the engine is making peak horsepower. |
| Differential Gears | To change the final drive ratio. | Lower gearing offers more torque but less top speed; higher gearing favors top speed but sacrifices hill-climbing ability. This is key to golf cart performance tuning. |
Advanced Electric Cart Modification: The Golf Cart Speed Chip Installation
For modern electric carts, especially high-end models, the most sophisticated method of golf cart performance tuning involves installing a device often called a speed chip, speed magnet, or speed magnet bypass module.
How Speed Chips Work
These devices are designed to fool the speed sensor or the controller itself.
- Speed Sensor Manipulation: On some carts, the speed is measured by a sensor (often Hall effect) mounted near the differential or tire. A speed chip intercepts the signal from this sensor, altering the pulse rate sent back to the controller. If the sensor tells the controller the wheels are spinning at 10 mph, but the chip modifies the signal to read as 20 mph, the controller will apply more power to try and reach the “target” speed.
- Controller Overrides: More advanced chips plug directly into the controller’s diagnostic port or wiring harness. They send override commands that effectively unlock pre-programmed, restricted speed settings within the controller’s firmware. This is an advanced form of golf cart governor bypass.
Installation Considerations
Golf cart speed chip installation is generally plug-and-play, but specific wiring harnesses are required for different controller brands (e.g., Yamaha, EZ-GO, Club Car). Always ensure the chip is rated for your cart’s voltage (36V, 48V, or 72V).
Safety and Legal Repercussions of Unrestricted Golf Cart Modification
Removing the governor fundamentally changes how the vehicle operates. This is not just about turning a screw; it involves significant safety trade-offs.
Braking Limitations
Golf cart brakes are engineered for low speeds (under 15 mph). At speeds approaching 25–30 mph, stopping distances increase dramatically. If you plan on increasing golf cart speed, you must consider brake upgrades:
- Brake Pad/Lining Replacement: Install high-friction pads.
- Drum/Rotor Inspection: Ensure they are not warped from heat generated during harder stops.
- Hydraulic Conversion: For serious modification, some enthusiasts convert older, mechanical brake systems to hydraulic ones, though this is complex and expensive.
Tire and Suspension Stress
Stock golf cart tires are typically rated for low-speed use. High speeds increase heat buildup and wear. Furthermore, the suspension components (leaf springs, shocks) are basic and are not designed to handle dynamic forces experienced at higher velocities, especially when cornering.
Legal Status Changes
This is arguably the most critical aspect of golf cart speed limiter removal.
- Classification: In many jurisdictions, once a golf cart exceeds a regulated speed threshold (often 20 mph), it is legally reclassified as a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) or a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV).
- Requirements for LSVs: If reclassified, the cart must meet federal safety standards, which include items like headlights, brake lights, turn signals, seatbelts, mirrors, and sometimes VIN numbers. Driving an unregistered, uninspected, over-speeding golf cart on public roads can result in heavy fines, towing, and liability issues in an accident. Always check your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) rules regarding golf cart operation.
Electric Cart Power System Upgrades for Sustained Speed
If you successfully achieve golf cart performance tuning through controller or chip modification, you must ensure your battery system can support the increased power draw.
Batteries: The Foundation
More speed requires more current (Amps). Higher current draw drastically reduces battery life and range.
- Voltage Increase: The most common upgrade path is moving from 36V to 48V, or 48V to 72V (if the cart supports it). Higher voltage allows the motor to spin faster for the same amount of current draw, leading to better efficiency and speed. This requires swapping batteries and often the solenoid and controller.
- Battery Type: Lithium-Ion batteries offer significantly better discharge rates and longevity compared to traditional Lead-Acid batteries, making them ideal for high-performance applications where high current is constantly demanded.
Solenoid and Wiring Checks
When you perform golf cart speed limiter removal, the electrical system handles much more power.
- Solenoid Rating: Ensure your main solenoid is rated for the higher amperage that a performance controller draws. A stock solenoid can overheat and fail under heavy load.
- Wire Gauge: Factory wiring might be too thin for sustained high-amp operation. Upgrading to thicker gauge wire (e.g., 4-gauge instead of 6-gauge) reduces resistance and heat buildup in the cables leading to the controller and motor.
Summary of the Modification Process
Whether you are working on a gas engine or an electric system, golf cart performance tuning requires a systematic approach.
| Cart Type | Primary Method for Increasing Golf Cart Speed | Key Risk Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | Reprogramming the Controller or Golf Cart Speed Chip Installation. | Overheating the motor/controller due to high current draw. |
| Gas | Governor bypass via linkage adjustment or physical removal, followed by carburetor tuning. | Catastrophic engine failure from over-revving. |
For both types, the final step must always involve ensuring the safety systems (brakes, tires) are upgraded to match the new performance capabilities. Trying to achieve unrestricted golf cart modification without addressing safety is highly dangerous.
Adjusting Throttle Response for Better Feel
After bypassing the governor, you might notice that the throttle response is either too jerky or too slow to engage. This is part of adjusting golf cart throttle settings.
Electric Throttle Adjustment
If you installed a new controller, it will have settings for acceleration curve and throttle ramp-up rate. You can soften these settings to make the initial acceleration smoother, even if the top speed is much higher. A sudden surge of power is hard on the motor and uncomfortable for the rider.
Gas Throttle Linkage Fine-Tuning
If you manually linked the pedal to the carburetor, small adjustments in the linkage rod length can fine-tune how far the throttle opens relative to how far you press the pedal. A shorter linkage travel might make the pedal feel more responsive initially, but ensure you haven’t limited the maximum opening.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much speed can I realistically gain by removing speed restrictor golf cart mechanisms?
For an electric cart, moving from a stock 15 mph limit to a high-performance controller might yield 22–28 mph, depending on the motor and battery voltage. For a gas cart, a properly tuned engine with a golf cart governor bypass can often achieve 30–35 mph, but this pushes the engine close to its redline.
Is golf cart speed chip installation reversible?
Yes, most chips are designed to be easily unplugged or removed without leaving permanent traces on the stock wiring harness. Reprogramming the controller is also usually reversible by flashing the original factory settings back onto the unit.
Will removing the governor void my warranty?
Absolutely. Any modification related to disabling golf cart governor systems or performing golf cart engine tuning will immediately void any manufacturer warranty covering the drivetrain, controller, or engine.
Can I just cut the cable controlling the governor on a gas cart?
While you could physically cut the cable, this is not recommended for golf cart performance tuning. If the cable snaps or frays, you could lose throttle control entirely. Using a proper mechanical bypass or removal method ensures better control over the throttle linkage.
Are there legal ways to increase electric golf cart speed?
The only truly legal way to increase speed on public roads is by purchasing a cart that is factory-built and certified as an LSV (Low-Speed Vehicle). Modifications to a standard golf cart, even electric ones, usually change its legal status, regardless of whether the speed increase comes from a golf cart speed chip installation or controller reprogramming.