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| February 23, 2005 News |
| Pimp My Kart – Rebuilding the Power |
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As the inaugural Pimp My Kart saga continues, with the unveiling of the new machine just days away, we’ve brought the EKN viewership another chapter in the amazing revitalization of a used-up PTK 125cc racing kart. In today’s installment, we’ve detailed the updating of the motor program…
Chapter IV
At the end of chapter three, we had just finished mounting the bodywork on the Pimp My Kart project and we were starting to assemble the chassis components. By that time, we had received the motor ahead of schedule. After sending the CR125 Honda out to Pop’s Performance Engines in Lake Dallas, Texas during the teardown process, Floyd Kindhart – a.k.a. ‘Pops’ – was able to work his magic and return the power plant back to EPIC’s doorstep in less the two weeks! Pops approached the Pimp My Kart engine as he does with all his customer’s motors with a complete inspection of the engine as soon as it was received to determine the extent of what needed to be repaired.
 | | Looking inside the crankcase |
After receiving the motor from EPIC, Pops unpacked the engine and took a complete inventory of the parts that were included with the package. The first area he attacked was the head of the engine. Before removing the component, the head clearance was checked to get an idea of the engine’s specifications before the rebuild process. After collecting his data, the head was removed and upon inspection was found to be in need of a replacement. The next area for scrutiny was the cylinder. With the older age of the motor, it was found to be not up to current specs. With the cylinder removed, the crankcase was next on the inspection list. Pops would eventually go through the entire crankcase looking for any defects or broken parts that were in need of replacement. He also gave the cases and the entire motor a good cleaning.
With everything inspected and documented, the modification process began. With the cylinder being out of date, it was ported and also cleaned up for reassembly. After purchasing a new cylinder head, Pops would cut the new head so that it would enjoy a perfect fit to the cylinder for an optimal performance. With all the modifications and part replacements that were needed now complete, reassembly was the next step in the ‘pimping’ process.
 | | Preparing to cut the new head |
After completion of the reassembling the power plant, Pops went back again to collect the different measurements, such as the head clearance and timing, so the engine would be ready for a test fire. The engine was then placed onto a dyno for a test run that would make sure the engine was running at peak performance and the engine would shift properly. With a successful dyno run, the engine was then packed safely and returned to the Pimp My Kart headquarters in Georgia within two weeks. Now that’s good turn-around.
With time running short, the crew at EPIC Inc. will be put into high gear to complete the assembly process of the Pimp My Kart project with the goal of unveiling of the ride in the Super Kart Illustrated booth in front of its lucky owner Hank Sievers at this weekend’s Kart Expo in St. Charles, Illinois.
Stay tuned to EKN for a complete update on Saturday afternoon of the big moment! |
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