Yes, you can absolutely make a golf cart go faster. Most stock golf carts are governed to a low speed for safety and battery life. By making specific golf cart speed upgrades, you can significantly boost performance. This guide will show you the best ways to increase speed, from simple fixes to major overhauls focusing on golf cart motor performance.
Factors Limiting Golf Cart Speed
Before we dive into solutions, let’s look at why carts are slow. Cart speed is mainly set by the controller, the motor, and the tires. Manufacturers limit these parts. They aim for long battery life, not high speed. They also follow local rules for low-speed vehicles.
- Controller Limits: This device manages power flow to the motor. It often has a built-in speed limit.
- Motor Power: Stock motors have less power (torque and top-end speed).
- Tire Size: Smaller tires spin faster but cover less distance per rotation.
- Gear Ratio: This heavily affects how much force (torque) the wheels get.
Getting Started: The Easiest Ways to Gain Speed
If you want a quick boost without spending a lot of money, start here. These small changes can offer noticeable improvements in increasing golf cart top speed.
Removing or Adjusting the Speed Governor
Many modern carts have an electronic speed limiter, often called a governor. This is the easiest first step.
Locating the Governor
The location varies by brand (Club Car, EZ-GO, Yamaha). It is usually found attached to the controller or the forward/reverse switch assembly. Check your cart’s service manual if you are unsure.
Disabling the Governor
For some carts, a simple wire disconnect or switch flip works. For others, you might need to use a special key or diagnostic tool. Be careful. Messing with the governor can void warranties. It can also lead to battery drain if you go too fast for too long.
Checking Tire Pressure and Size
Your tires are crucial for speed and efficiency. Low tire pressure creates rolling resistance. This makes the motor work harder, slowing you down.
- Inflate Properly: Check the sidewall for the correct PSI. Keep them pumped up!
- Tire Size Swap: Bigger tires make the cart go faster for the same motor RPM. However, this reduces torque. If you put on very large tires without upgrading the motor or controller, the cart will feel sluggish going uphill. This is a key factor in golf cart lift kit speed impact. A lift kit usually means bigger tires, so you must compensate elsewhere.
Level Two Upgrades: Electronics and Power
To see real speed gains, you need to upgrade the electronic brain and the power source. These golf cart speed upgrades tackle the core limitations of the stock system.
Installing an Advanced Electric Golf Cart Speed Controller
The controller is the heart of your electric cart. The stock controller limits how much current (amps) can flow to the motor.
Why Upgrade the Controller?
A high-performance controller allows more amps to flow. More amps mean more power delivered to the motor, resulting in faster acceleration and higher top speed. Look for controllers rated for higher amperage (e.g., moving from a 250-amp stock controller to a 350-amp or 400-amp aftermarket unit).
Key Features to Look For
- Amperage Rating: Higher is better for speed, but ensure your motor can handle it.
- Voltage Compatibility: Make sure it matches your existing battery system (36V, 48V, or 72V).
- Programmability: The best golf cart performance parts often allow custom programming for acceleration curves and top speed limits.
Considering Golf Cart Performance Chips
While sometimes called “chips,” these are often simple plug-in modules or speed setting adjustments accessible through the controller interface. These modules manipulate signals to trick the controller into thinking it’s operating under different conditions, effectively overriding factory limits.
- Function: They often modify speed settings directly on programmable controllers.
- Caution: Quality varies widely. Cheap modules might cause erratic performance or damage the controller over time.
Powering the Speed: Battery and Voltage System
Speed requires energy. If you increase the power demand with a new controller, you must supply the juice. This means upgrading golf cart batteries for speed or increasing system voltage.
Increasing System Voltage (The Voltage Jump)
This is one of the most effective ways to increase speed. Voltage is like water pressure—more pressure pushes more electricity through the system.
- 36V to 48V Conversion: Many 36-volt systems (common on older, smaller carts) can be upgraded to 48 volts by adding two batteries. This often yields a 15–25% speed increase immediately, provided the existing motor and controller can handle the extra voltage safely.
- 48V to Higher Voltages: Some modern carts (like 48V systems) can be upgraded to 58V or even 72V using specialized, high-voltage controllers and motors. This offers massive speed potential but requires a full system overhaul.
Warning: Never simply connect a higher-voltage battery pack to a stock controller or motor. You will instantly burn them out. The controller must be rated for the new, higher voltage.
Upgrading Golf Cart Batteries for Speed
If you stick to your current voltage (e.g., staying at 48V), upgrade the quality of your batteries.
- Deep Cycle vs. High Output: Standard deep-cycle batteries are fine for normal use. For speed, you need batteries that can deliver high amperage quickly.
- Lithium-Ion Advantage: Lithium batteries are lighter and can discharge current much faster than traditional lead-acid batteries. This rapid discharge capability helps the motor handle peak loads during acceleration and high-speed cruising, drastically improving overall golf cart motor performance.
| Battery Type | Pros for Speed | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead-Acid (Flooded) | Inexpensive, widely available | Heavy, slow amperage delivery | Budget builds |
| Sealed Lead-Acid (AGM/Gel) | Maintenance-free, better discharge | Heavier than Lithium | Moderate speed increases |
| Lithium-Ion (LiFePO4) | Lightest weight, fastest discharge rate | Highest initial cost | Maximum speed and range |
Maximizing Motor Output: The Core of Speed
If the controller controls the power flow, the motor converts that power into motion. For serious speed, the motor must be replaced or heavily modified.
Choosing the Right Motor
Stock motors are designed for efficiency and quiet operation. Fast motors are designed for high RPM.
- Series vs. AC Motors: Older carts often use Series motors. Newer, higher-end carts use AC (Induction) motors, which are generally more efficient and easier to tune for high performance.
- RPM Rating: Look for motors specifically labeled as “high-speed” motors. These have different windings designed to spin faster at the same voltage.
- Torque vs. Speed Trade-off: A high-torque motor is great for hills and hauling but caps your top speed. A high-speed motor sacrifices some low-end grunt for faster top-end results. Select a motor that balances your needs.
When pairing a new motor, you must match it precisely to your controller rating. A high-performance motor needs a high-amperage controller to reach its full potential. These two components form the core of any serious golf cart speed upgrades.
Adjusting Golf Cart Torque Adjustments (Gearing)
Gearing dictates the relationship between motor speed and wheel speed. This is where golf cart torque adjustments come into play.
- Higher Speed Gearing (Lower Ratio): Changing the differential gear ratio to a lower number (e.g., moving from a 6:1 ratio to a 4:1 ratio) means the wheels spin faster for every motor revolution. This increases top speed significantly.
- The Drawback: Lower gearing reduces the leverage on the wheels, meaning less torque. Your cart will struggle on steep inclines or carrying heavy loads. For flat golf course use, this is often an acceptable trade-off for more speed.
Advanced Performance Tuning: Fine-Tuning the System
Once the main components are swapped, you need specialized parts to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely at higher speeds.
High-Speed Solenoids
The solenoid acts as the main switch, connecting the battery pack to the rest of the system. Stock solenoids are often rated for lower continuous currents. Pushing high amperage through a low-rated solenoid causes resistance, heat, and power loss.
- Upgrade: Install a heavy-duty, high-amperage solenoid (usually 400A or higher) designed for performance carts. This ensures clean, fast power delivery to the electric golf cart speed controller.
Heavy-Duty Wiring
If your controller is putting out 400 amps, but your wires are only rated for 250 amps (common in stock setups), you are losing power as heat. The wires become bottlenecks.
- Solution: Upgrade all main cables (from battery to controller, controller to motor) to thicker gauge wire, typically 2-gauge or 1-gauge wire for serious performance builds. Thicker wires reduce electrical resistance, ensuring maximum power reaches the motor.
Brake System Review
If you make substantial high-speed golf cart modifications, you must address stopping power. Stock brakes might not cope well with higher speeds.
- Consider upgrading to hydraulic brakes if your cart type allows it, or at least ensure your existing drum brakes are in perfect condition and use high-quality brake shoes.
The Impact of Lift Kits and Tires on Speed
A common reason owners seek speed upgrades is after installing a golf cart lift kit. These kits raise the body and usually require larger tires (e.g., 22-inch tires instead of 18-inch stock tires).
Speed Loss Due to Tire Size
Larger tires directly increase the final drive ratio, effectively giving you a higher top speed if the motor has the power to turn them.
- The Torque Problem: A standard motor might spin those large tires fast enough to hit 15 MPH, but it will struggle immensely to accelerate or climb small hills. The motor is working too hard just to move the extra mass and circumference.
- The Fix: If you install a lift kit and large tires, you absolutely need a motor upgrade and a controller that can supply extra amperage to overcome the lost torque. You might also need to adjust the differential gearing to find a sweet spot between speed and usability.
Summary of Golf Cart Speed Upgrades
To achieve the maximum safe speed increase, a systematic approach is required, focusing on these integrated components:
| Performance Area | Recommended Upgrade Level | Expected Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Power Supply | Lithium batteries or higher voltage system (e.g., 48V to 58V) | High (More available energy) |
| Power Control | High-amp programmable electric golf cart speed controller | High (Unlocks motor potential) |
| Motor | High-RPM aftermarket motor matched to controller amperage | Very High (Direct speed increase) |
| Gearing | Adjusting differential ratio (lower ratio for more speed) | Medium/High (Trade-off with torque) |
| Wiring | Heavy gauge wiring (2-gauge or 1-gauge) | Medium (Eliminates power loss) |
Safety and Legal Considerations
Making your golf cart faster carries responsibility.
- Local Laws: In many areas, golf carts are restricted to specific speeds by law. Increasing golf cart top speed beyond these limits might make your cart illegal for road use. Check your local ordinances.
- Insurance: Inform your insurance provider if you make significant modifications, especially if converting it into a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV).
- Component Lifespan: Pushing components beyond their factory ratings generates more heat. Always invest in quality parts and monitor system temperatures, especially the motor and controller. Overheating destroys electronics quickly.
By carefully selecting and installing the right best golf cart performance parts, you can transform a slow utility vehicle into a quick cruiser, optimizing its golf cart motor performance for speed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I make my gas-powered golf cart faster?
A: Yes, but the methods are different. For gas carts, speed is usually limited by the carburetor settings or the engine’s governor. You can often increase speed by adjusting the carburetor fuel/air mix (requires expertise) or by installing a performance exhaust system and upgrading the torque converter. Golf cart torque adjustments on gas models usually involve pulley ratios, similar to how speed is adjusted on ATVs.
Q: Will upgrading batteries for speed increase my range?
A: Not necessarily. If you install a higher-amperage controller and motor, these parts demand power very quickly. If you use the same capacity batteries, your range will likely decrease because you are using the stored energy much faster. Lithium batteries offer better range at speed due to their efficiency and ability to maintain voltage under load.
Q: Is there a risk of damaging my transmission or axle when increasing speed?
A: Yes. The stock transmission and axles are rated for the original factory torque and speed. If you make extreme high-speed golf cart modifications without upgrading the drivetrain, you risk premature wear, gear stripping, or axle failure, especially if you chose low gearing for speed, which puts heavy stress on the axle during acceleration.
Q: What is the easiest way to fix a sluggish cart after adding a lift kit?
A: If your cart feels sluggish after adding a golf cart lift kit speed impact, it means you lost too much torque due to larger tires. You need to address the power deficiency. The best fix is usually upgrading the electric golf cart speed controller to a higher amperage model (e.g., 300A+) and possibly slightly raising the system voltage if the existing motor supports it.