Can I make my golf cart go faster? Yes, you absolutely can make your golf cart go faster. There are many ways to increase your golf cart’s speed, ranging from simple adjustments to major component replacements. This guide will show you the best methods for increasing golf cart top speed.
Getting Started with Golf Cart Speed
Many people buy golf carts for simple trips around the neighborhood or on the golf course. But soon, they want more zip. They want their cart to move quicker. It is easy to boost the speed of electric and gas golf carts. We will look at the best golf cart performance tuning methods.
Initial Checks Before Modifying
Before spending money on parts, check what you already have. Sometimes, slow speeds are not the cart’s fault. They might be due to simple issues.
Battery Health Matters
For electric carts, battery health is key. Old or weak batteries cannot deliver enough power. This means less speed.
- Check the water levels in flooded lead-acid batteries.
- Test the voltage of all batteries in the bank.
- Ensure connections are clean and tight. Poor connections waste power.
Tire Pressure is Important
Soft tires create drag. They make the motor work harder. This slows you down. Always keep your tires aired up to the correct pressure. This is a free speed boost!
Inspecting the Motor and Drivetrain
Look for anything that rubs or sticks. A squeaky wheel or a stiff axle uses up power. Proper lubrication helps the cart move smoothly. Smoother movement equals more speed for the same power input.
Core Upgrades for Maximum Speed
Once your cart is running its best stock, it is time to upgrade parts. These golf cart speed upgrades directly impact how fast your machine can travel.
The Role of the Speed Controller
The speed controller is the brain of an electric golf cart. It tells the motor how much power to use. This is often the first place to look for speed gains.
Choosing the Best Golf Cart Speed Controllers
Stock controllers often limit speed to meet safety rules or battery life goals. Installing an aftermarket controller unlocks more power.
| Controller Type | Typical Speed Increase | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| High-Amperage Controller | 3–6 MPH | Allows higher motor current flow. |
| Programmable Controller | Customizable | Lets you set exact speed and acceleration limits. |
| AC Conversion Kit | Significant (8+ MPH) | Upgrades old DC systems to modern, efficient AC power. |
When looking for the best golf cart speed controllers, look for high amperage ratings. Higher amperage means more power can reach the motor. Make sure the controller matches your cart’s voltage (12V, 36V, 48V).
Golf Cart Motor Upgrades
If a new controller is not enough, the motor itself might be the bottleneck. The motor dictates the maximum rotational speed (RPM).
Exploring Golf Cart Motor Upgrades
Upgrading the motor is a major step in golf cart performance tuning. You can choose a motor with higher RPM ratings. This directly translates to higher top speed.
- Higher RPM Motors: These spin faster than stock motors. They are great for top speed runs.
- Higher Torque Motors: These help acceleration. While they don’t always boost top speed much, they help you reach that top speed faster, especially on hills.
Remember that motor upgrades often need a corresponding high-amperage speed controller to run safely and effectively. The motor and controller must work together.
The Battery Power Source
Powering a faster motor needs a stronger energy source. This is where a golf cart battery upgrade for speed comes into play.
Voltage vs. Amperage
Speed in electric carts comes primarily from voltage. Think of voltage as water pressure. Higher voltage pushes more energy to the motor, making it spin faster.
- Switching from 36 volts to 48 volts is a common upgrade path. This offers a significant speed boost immediately.
- Some carts can be upgraded to 72 volts, but this requires new batteries, a new controller, and sometimes a new solenoid. This is an advanced step.
Lithium-ion batteries are often better than traditional lead-acid batteries for speed enthusiasts. They discharge power more consistently and handle high current draws better. They are lighter too!
Adjusting the System: Speed Limiters and Governors
Many carts come from the factory with speed limits programmed in. Removing these limits is a simple way to gain speed without buying expensive parts.
Golf Cart Speed Governor Removal
What is golf cart speed governor removal? It is the process of disabling the electronic or mechanical limiter that stops the cart from exceeding a set speed (usually around 12–15 MPH).
Electronic Governor Adjustment
Most modern carts have speed settings in the controller’s programming chip.
- You usually need a specific handheld programmer or a laptop cable.
- Connect the device to the controller’s diagnostic port.
- Access the “Maximum Speed” or “Speed Limiter” setting.
- Increase this value or set it to maximum.
This process voids warranties on the controller, so proceed with care. Always check local laws regarding street-legal speed limits before making major changes.
Gearing and Tire Size: The Mechanical Advantage
Speed isn’t just about the motor; it’s also about how the power gets to the wheels. This involves tires and the differential gears.
Golf Cart Tire Size and Speed
Tires are critical. A larger tire spins more ground per revolution of the axle. This is like having a taller gear ratio.
If you put larger tires on your cart, its top speed will increase, even if the motor speed (RPM) stays the same.
- The Trade-off: While larger tires increase top speed, they hurt acceleration and hill climbing ability. The motor has to work much harder to turn the bigger mass and circumference.
- Calculation: If you switch from a 18-inch tire to a 22-inch tire, your top speed increases by about 22%. However, your acceleration will suffer significantly unless you upgrade the motor and controller too.
Gearing Changes for Speed
If you want to keep stock-sized tires but need more speed, you must change the differential gears.
- Changing the gears means swapping the internal gears inside the transaxle.
- To gain top speed, you install “taller” gears (a lower gear ratio).
- This reduces torque and acceleration but allows for a higher top speed at the same motor RPM.
These golf cart performance parts require mechanical skill to install correctly.
The Impact of Lifts and Suspension
Many enthusiasts add a golf cart lift kit. Does a golf cart lift kit speed implications exist?
Lift Kits and Speed
A lift kit itself does not make your cart faster. It primarily lifts the body higher for ground clearance and allows for bigger tires.
However, lift kits can indirectly affect speed negatively if not managed:
- Bigger Tires: As mentioned, bigger tires require more power to turn, slowing the cart down unless you upgrade the motor system.
- Alignment Issues: Poorly installed lift kits can cause wheel alignment issues, leading to rolling resistance and slower speeds.
- Aerodynamics: Lifting the cart higher exposes more undercarriage to wind, increasing drag, which costs speed at higher velocities.
If you install a lift kit, plan on implementing motor and controller upgrades to overcome the resistance from larger tires.
Gas Cart Performance Tuning Secrets
While electric carts dominate the modification scene, gas carts (usually powered by Kawasaki or Robin engines) can also see speed gains. Golf cart performance tuning for gas carts focuses on breathing better.
Airflow and Fuel Delivery
Gas engines need three things: air, fuel, and spark. Improving any of these can yield results.
Better Air Intake
The stock air filter box is often restrictive. Replacing it with a high-flow aftermarket air intake system allows the engine to pull in more air. More air means more fuel can be burned for more power.
Exhaust System Upgrade
A free-flowing exhaust system reduces back pressure. This lets the engine expel burned gases faster. This is one of the most common first steps in gas cart tuning.
Fuel System Adjustments
For serious speed, you may need to adjust the carburetor jetting. More air usually requires more fuel to keep the engine running smoothly and safely. This step often requires professional tuning.
Engine Upgrades
For the most significant gains in a gas cart, you can swap the engine for a higher horsepower model. Reputable aftermarket engines designed for golf carts can offer 15 HP or more, compared to the stock 10–11 HP.
Safety and Legality When Speeding Up
Increasing your golf cart’s speed changes how it handles and stops. Safety must always come first.
Braking Systems
Faster speeds require better stopping power. Stock brakes might not handle repeated hard stops from 25 MPH or 30 MPH safely.
- Inspect Brake Pads: Ensure they are fresh and in good condition.
- Upgrade Brake Shoes: Consider high-performance brake shoes designed for better friction.
- Hydraulic Brakes: For very fast carts (over 25 MPH), switching to a full hydraulic brake system is highly recommended for reliable stopping power.
Suspension Stability
High speeds put more stress on the suspension. If you lifted your cart, ensure the shocks and springs are rated for the increased stress and potential rough terrain at higher speeds.
Legal Considerations
In many areas, golf carts are not street legal unless they meet specific low-speed vehicle (LSV) standards. These standards usually cap the top speed around 20 MPH.
- Exceeding local speed limits, even in a golf cart, can result in tickets.
- Insurance policies might be voided if your cart is modified beyond safe or legal limits. Always check local regulations before increasing speed significantly.
Summary of Top Speed Secrets
To summarize the journey to a faster golf cart, here are the key areas we covered:
- Electric Carts: Focus on the electrical triangle: Batteries (Voltage/Capacity), Controller (Amperage/Programming), and Motor (RPM).
- Gas Carts: Focus on breathing: Better Air Intake and Lower Exhaust Restriction.
- Mechanical Tweaks: Use tire size strategically, but be ready to compensate with power upgrades.
| Modification Category | Impact on Speed | Complexity/Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Controller Upgrade | High | Medium to High |
| Motor Upgrade | Very High | High |
| Battery Voltage Boost | High | High |
| Speed Governor Removal | Medium | Low |
| Larger Tires (No Power Upgrade) | Low (with severe loss of torque) | Low |
| Gearing Change | Medium | Medium |
By applying these golf cart performance parts strategically, you can achieve impressive speed gains, turning your slow neighborhood cruiser into a quick machine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the safest way to make my electric golf cart go faster?
A: The safest way is usually upgrading the speed controller incrementally and ensuring your battery bank is in top condition. Avoid extreme voltage jumps initially. Ensure your brakes can handle the new speed.
Q: Will a golf cart lift kit automatically make my golf cart go faster?
A: No. A golf cart lift kit speed implications are usually related to the larger tires that are often installed with the kit. Larger tires increase top speed but severely reduce acceleration unless the motor system is also upgraded to handle the load.
Q: How much speed can I expect from removing the speed governor?
A: On many stock carts, golf cart speed governor removal or reprogramming can add about 3 to 5 MPH. If the cart is already running a performance controller, the effect will be minimal, as the limit might already be removed.
Q: Are AC motor conversions worth the cost for speed?
A: Yes. AC conversions represent a significant leap in efficiency and sustained power over older DC systems. They allow for much higher speeds and better hill climbing when paired with the correct AC controller. They are a major golf cart speed upgrade.
Q: Can I use automotive parts for golf cart performance tuning?
A: Generally, no. Golf carts use specialized low-voltage DC systems or small industrial gas engines. Using automotive parts designed for higher voltage or different operating conditions is usually incompatible and unsafe. Stick to parts specifically designed for golf carts or LSVs.