While your golf cart will never be a race car, there’s a good chance after a regular car, you wish your cart would go a little faster.

If you feel like that describes you, this article will help you understand what to do to make your gas golf cart faster.

We concentrate on gas golf carts in this article, but there are also a few tips to make an electric golf cart faster further down the page.

Before we get started, though, your golf cart must be in good condition. If it’s not, no amount of tuning will make it go any faster. Also, be sure to check the brakes, steering, and suspension to ensure everything is in good working order.

Now that your cart passed its health test, let’s learn how to increase your golf cart speed.

Contents

Use A Better Golf Cart Battery

Lithium golf cart batteries

One of the easiest ways to get more performance out of your golf cart is to upgrade to a better battery. The first step is to check the voltage of your current battery. Is it a 6-volt? 12-volt? The voltage should be printed on the battery.

Once you know the voltage, check your cart’s manual to see the maximum battery voltage your cart can safely accept. If your battery voltage is lower than the manual recommends, it’s time to upgrade.

When choosing a new battery, pay attention to the battery water level. A battery with sufficient water levels will perform better and last longer than one low on water.

Increase Torque

increase golf cart torque 1

Torque refers to the amount of force that acts on an object, which rotates around an axis. For a cart to move forward, it has to proceed with the power of this force. Torque basically allows a cart to turn faster and provides more speed and helps the cart get around bends easier.

You measure torque for golf carts in horsepower (HP). One horsepower equals the force of one kick/motion multiplied by the cart’s distance moves per revolution of the axle. The higher the HP of the cart, the greater the torque it can exert without decelerating.

The more torque, the higher the pulling capacity of your golf cart motor and the faster your cart.

There are several ways you can increase the torque of your cart.

Upgrade the Golf Cart Motor

increase golf cart torque

If you’re looking for ways to make your golf cart more powerful, one option is to upgrade the motor.

A bigger motor will increase torque, which will allow your cart to handle more weight and travel at higher speeds. This can be especially helpful if you frequently transport heavy loads or travel on hilly terrain.

However, keep in mind that a more powerful motor will also use more battery power, so you may need to upgrade your battery as well.

Install a Torque Converter

If you’re not in the market to replace your cart’s motor, another option is to install a torque converter. A torque converter helps increase the amount of torque being applied to the wheels without increasing the speed of the motor.

This is done by multiplying the input torque from the motor by the gear ratio of the converter. For example, if your engine produces 5 ft-lbs of torque and your converter has a gear ratio of 3:1, the output torque would be 15 ft-lbs.

Install a Higher-Performance Clutch

Install a Higher Performance Clutch

Another way to increase torque is to install a higher-performance clutch. The golf cart’s clutch engages and disengages the motor from the drivetrain. A higher-performance clutch will engage the motor at a higher RPM, which will produce more torque.

This is a great way to get more power out of your cart without replacing the motor or installing a torque converter.

Tweak The Governor

The governor is a device that limits the amount of fuel entering the engine. Its purpose is to keep the engine from revving too high and causing damage.

On a gas cart, the governor is typically located on the side of the carburetor.

To increase the speed of your cart, you’ll need to adjust the governor so that more fuel can enter the engine.

Be careful when adjusting the governor, as too much fuel can cause the engine to overheat and seize up.

It’s always best to consult your cart’s manual before making any adjustments to the governor.

Install A Cold Air Intake

One of the easiest ways to increase torque is to install a cold air intake. Cold air intakes work by bringing more air into the engine, allowing more fuel to be burned. This process results in increased power and performance.

Cold air intakes are especially beneficial for golf cart engines frequently used at higher speeds or under heavy loads. By increasing the amount of air available to the engine, cold air intakes help to improve performance and prevent engine damage. As a result, they are an essential component for any frequently driven cart.

Get Bigger Golf Cart Tires

What are the Different Types of Golf Cart Tires

If you don’t want to touch your golf cart motor, but want to increase the speed of your gas cart, one easy method you can try is installing larger tires on your cart.

Standard golf cart tires are approximately 8 inches in diameter. However, the larger the diameter, the faster your golf cart. You can increase the size of your tires to up to 24 inches if you want.

With bigger tires, you can increase the speed of your cart by 2 to 4 meters per hour without making any expensive modifications to your motor or electronic speed controller. Replacing tires is one of the quickest ways to increase the speed of your cart.

Can You Increase the Speed of an Electric Golf Cart?

EZGO Express S4 Electric Blue

An electric cart has many advantages over a gas-powered golf cart, including being more environmentally friendly and less expensive to operate. However, one downside is that electric carts typically have a slower top speed than gas carts.

However, there are a few ways to increase the top speed of an electric golf cart, such as installing a higher voltage battery or upgrading the motor.

For example, installing a 48-volt battery instead of a 36-volt battery can usually increase the top speed by around 5-10 miles per hour. If you’re looking for even more speed, you can upgrade the motor to a higher horsepower model. However, keep in mind that these upgrades will also usually result in an increase in the price of your golf cart.

Electric Golf Carts Series vs. Shunt Systems

There are two main types of motor systems for electric golf carts: series and shunt. The difference between the two is how the current flows through the motor.

In a series system, the current flows through all the windings in the motor at once. This results in a high torque level, making it ideal for applications that require a lot of power. However, it also means that the motors tend to run hot, leading to decreased efficiency over time.

Shunt systems have the current flowing through only part of the windings at any given time. This results in lower torque levels and allows the motor to run cooler, resulting in greater efficiency.

How Fast is a Club Car?

Union city IN Club car golf carts

The speed for a Club Car depends on the model and year of the cart and any aftermarket modifications that may have been made. Generally, most Club Car golf carts have a top speed of around 19 miles per hour. However, some newer models and carts with aftermarket modifications can reach speeds up to 25 miles per hour.

How Fast Are Yamaha Golf Carts?

Regarding golf cart manufacturers’ factory speed, Yamaha golf carts do not differ from other golf carts like EZ-GO and Club Car. However, you can follow the tips in this article to increase the speed of a Yamaha like any other golf cart.

What is an Electronic Speed Controller?

What is an Electronic Speed Controller

An electronic speed controller, or ESC, regulates the speed of an electric motor in a golf cart. It does this by controlling the flow of electricity to the engine. The ESC converts direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). It can also control the direction in which the current flows.

By increasing or decreasing the amount of electricity that flows to the motors, the golf cart’s speed can be increased or decreased. Golf cart electronic speed controllers are typically located under the golf cart’s seat, near the batteries.

Everyday Ways to Make Your Golf Cart Faster

A closeup of a woman's hand using a giant green sponge to clean a black golf cart.

Like most golf cart owners, you’re probably always looking to make your cart go faster. While there are many aftermarket parts you can add to increase speed, you can also do a few simple things to get more power out of your existing engine.

Here are a few tips:

Keep Your Cart Clean

One way to ensure your golf cart is running at its best is to keep it clean. This means cleaning your tires for mud build-up, which can otherwise slow your cart down.

Unclutter Your Cart

It’s also essential to keep the inside of your golf cart uncluttered. The lighter your cart, the faster it can go.

Keep Tires Inflated

It’s important to keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure. This will help reduce resistance and allow your cart to move faster. Check with your golf cart’s manufacturer to see the recommended tire pressure for your particular model.

Adjust the Governor

One of the easiest ways to add more power to your golf cart is simply adjusting the governor. The governor is a device that limits the maximum speed of the cart. You can often increase the top speed by a few miles per hour by adjusting it. Just be sure not to alter it too much or damage the engine.

What is a Solenoid Contactor Relay?

A golf cart solenoid contactor relay is a type of electrical relay specifically designed for golf carts. As with all electrical relays, the solenoid contactor relay comprises a coil of wire wrapped around an iron core.

When an electric current is passed through the coil, it creates a magnetic field that activates the contacts inside the relay. This allows or interrupts the flow of electricity to the golf cart’s motor, depending on the position of the switch.

The solenoid contactor relay is a vital component of any golf cart’s electrical system. Therefore, it is crucial to choose a high-quality product to ensure reliable performance.

Final Thoughts on How to Make Your Gas-Powdered Golf Cart Faster

A red 2022 EZGO Express Gas S4 with a street-legal package.

We hope you have found the tips in this article to make your gas golf cart go faster beneficial. Increasing the speed of your golf cart can be a fun way to make your game more challenging or simply get from point A to point B faster.

However, it’s essential to keep safety in mind when making any modifications to your cart. Be sure to consult with a professional if you’re unsure about making changes to your cart.

If you have questions about making speed modifications to your cart, contact Carts & Parts at (937) 459-8891 today. We can guide you through the steps needed based on your cart’s current condition.

We also offer a wide selection of quality aftermarket parts and accessories to help make your cart faster, including high-performance motors and batteries.

Have you tried any of these methods to improve your golf cart’s speed? Let us know in the comments below!