Club Car DS Predator 420 Installation and Review - Vegas Carts Kit

The transformation of my 1993 Club Car DS from a worn down wrecked old golf cart to a O.D. green lifted cart with a Predator 420 engine. I installed the engine utilizing the vegas carts kit, but I did not use a lot of the parts and custom fabricated a few of my own. Overall the kit was easy to use, but could be done better. If I had to do it again, I would only purchase the parts I need individually.
I purchased this kit from vegas carts. vegascarts.com/collections/cl...
This is the 6" lift I used ebay.us/9BreRo
These are the wheels & tires ebay.us/SxJytB
Here is the engine www.harborfreight.com/13-hp-4...

[@G56AG]

Best golf cart conversion I have seen by far! Your engine and transmission/torque converter set up is great, plus the suspension and cosmetic restoration set a high standard. WELL DONE! 👍

[@Oversoul225]

Just wanted to say thank you! Picking up a donor cart tomorrow to work with my niece's to rebuild over Summer, and plan on mostly going thru the route you did!

[@howitstartsmm]

great video and helpful information especially for after market parts. I was given an old club car and am almost finished. One of my goals was to complete the build with extra stuff laying around. Ended up building a 4 link rear end 2 link front, struts all around a 708cc predator vertical engine, around a 10inch lift and extended the wheel base. These things are a lot of fun. Again thanks for the content.

[@augoharris3437]

Do you still have the old air box with air filter?

[@guerosern]

Great video ! I’m going to swap a 420 into my golf club aswell

[@cruxinterfaces]

Awesome work, we will be at Knowledge Fest Thank you for the content

[@jacklabloom635]

Great video. This information is extremely helpful.

[@53slim89]

Anyway you could make a video on how you connected all the wiring with the new motor?

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

That would be a HUGE help since I am considering buying one of these with the intention of doing this same setup

[@robertbachmann7490]

Great info! Thank you for making this video and giving so much details.

[@chadgeyer6819]

I've been looking for a video like this for several weeks. I just bought a 91 CC and plan to an engine upgrade myself. I haven't decided which route I'm going to go down. Maybe the Vegas Carts 23hp kit or the 22 hp Predator. But I am certainly going to use this video for reference. It's funny. I also have an electric 91 CC that I did a 48v conversion and it's almost identical to yours.

[@DIRTBIKEFAB]

Great video and very detailed. I am just starting my. Hold on a carry all and was seriously thinking about this kit. I’m glad I stumbled on to this video it answered a lot of questions I had. I will post my build on my channel once I start the project. Thanks again for the info. Definitely will subscribe

[@dewbdew2]

Great video. Thanks for the tips!

[@burtvincent1278]

I bought a 95 electric and intended to convert to Preditor 12 hp gas. I think I will stick to electric for now to sneak up on wildlife more quietly. I will save your video in case I change my mind. Good job and thanks.

[@ryang1741]

Thank you! Your video greatly helped me complete my lifan swap!

[@aaronsearch1189]

My '89 DS is almost just like yours. I got it for free. It was really beat and had been stripped for parts. The front suspension was damaged too. I rebuilt it back to stock. Then after the stock engine finally threw the connecting rod last year, I started to trick it out. I did the Vegas carts conversion with a Predator 420cc. I bought the pieces of the kit as I needed them. I actually used the factory driven pulley and a cheap Chinese series 40 driver clutch at first. I used a 42"x 7/8" belt from Gforce. (Awesome belts) It worked poorly at best. Ha ha. Now I have the primary and secondary from the Vegas carts kit. Waaaaay worth the money. Good clutches make all the difference in the world! I used their header and muffler. I double heat wrapped it and put a Super Trap clamp on tip on the end. This helped quiet it down quite a bit.

[@exquisiteremodeling1]

BTW, great video, very explanatory and definitely worth watching!

[@kathihoffman8906]

Great video. You are right the Vegas Carts kits are worthless. Bought a 625 kit complete with engine 9 months ago. It's garbage. Missing parts, wrong parts, unusable exhaust, terrible customer service. If you want anything decent you have to fab many parts yourself. They sell garbage parts at ridiculously high prices. I agree stay away from Vegas kits. Do it yourself if you want it done right!

[@coachgkj]

Thank you, I have been working the same project for over a year in my spare time. Mine is on an EZGO TXT, can you shoot me some detailed info on the wiring. I got the starter generator figured out, but the pedal start and the electrical engine connections to the ignitor. I am at the point where I installed the engine thought I could pull start it but it is not starting when i do. My throttle set up is a little different but thought it would just start without any electrical connections. Thanks again and great job.

[@andyniese5273]

Like how you showed everything that you did. Pretty clear. Do you happen to have part numbers of the clutches you installed? Thanks

[@GoGreenMan]

Came out really good. Great job

[@MCscarfacematt]

we've got opposite opinions on a few things. I have a 02 Yamaha G16 I got straight off the golf course in 08. I ran it for years stock, then it stopped wanting to turn over I did a 420 swap i figured why replace when i can upgrade. I love the vegas carts conversion kit i got an aftermarket muffler and its quieter than the stock golf cart muffler that I hacked off 6 years ago and ran it straight piped but after $5,000 and 4 years peacing my cart together with one hand from a wheelchair, I was taking the stock wiring out and realized my issues were a blown 10A fuse. so since I'm in this deep over a 10 cent fuse ill run it quiet if I no longer like it. its 3 Allan bolts and ill be running a straight pipe again

[@jrknipp]

scarface matt what muffler did you use that is quieter than a golf cart muffler?

[@MikefromMOMichaelTurner227]

Well done! Thanks for the info bud! 👍

[@SheepHunter9780]

I'm doing the EXACT same thing you did to my club car... Minus the "Vegas Carts kit" what's the name of the pulley that sits behind the clutch, that the starter/Generator Belt connects to? I'm having trouble finding that pulley on line. Great work, thank you so much

[@c.bennett6271]

Thank you for sharing. I too have a 94 DS that I am 80% done doing this to. I have a question regarding white and black wire on cart. Which wire does this connect to on back of predator. I am running starter generator as well and only two wires left are brown (lower of two) and a black wire that runs across top of engine. Thanks in Advance from Central Ohio.

[@fixitjoes5378]

Very good video enjoyed it

[@ryang1741]

Do you have the Vegas part number for the cradle you used? I see Cc8496V but it mentions the predator 22HP motor. Are the motor mounting points the same on the motor you used and the 22hp version? Im located in Canton, Ohio btw!

[@1980rodie]

Loved the video do u have a video of how u did the Original generator.

[@GimmeGrit_1970]

Looks like the whole kit may not be offered any more. If I heard you right on the video, You would only need the Engine mount, Generator bracket and alternator mounts. Is that correct? Love the video and the cart. I am about to upgrade my 95 DS. Any help would be great!

[@TheVovinio25]

What a great job (: Very supportive and professional video. I have a CARRYALL 1 2002 with a broken engine head just waiting to be replaced .. And I would love to get some advice from you about the list of things I need to buy so I can replace the engine and everything around it. Means PREDETOR 420 Of course you will be well rewarded (: Is there a way to contact you?

[@georgigeorgiev3199]

Hello Jack, I'm in the UK and doing a Renault Twizy conversion with LIFAN 460(16hp) and wish to ask what series or model is the front clutch(engine one) and on what engine speed engages ?Thank you very much!

[@johndigiovanni9555]

Nice video. FYI, there is no vacuum being supplied to the fuel pump. It’s positive crankcase pressure. This is a common mistaken assumption people make.

[@brucetate7417]

Can you show the generator bracket you used that mounted to the Predator 420 or did you have to fabricate one

[@kolbyk7574]

What length belt did you use? My stock 37.5 inch belt is too short.

[@williamsimmons3649]

How did you get the throttle box to work. I have a 2000ds and vegas carts said to use my stock cradle, but with out the air filter and adapter on the carb the end of the bolts hit the throttle box

[@DIYReid]

Other than the predator engine price how much would you need to spend to get it working in a DS?

[@taylordeeney4504]

can you do a how to do a deep check. to see what all would need to be looked at before you buy. or how to know what to do check if left outside for a few years

[@diamondhazlewood9041]

Hey, great cart, finishing mine now. What fuel gauge in tank did you use. Thx

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

Check out my other video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZTElqGah81nrZY

[@TyeWills]

I like the steel wheel.

[@kolbyk7574]

I did the same engine swap. I have some questions for you!

[@user-wr3np9se3k]

thank you sir for your video's sir I have Club Car DS Gas but there's problem ( high noise ) how can resolve it please

[@johndigiovanni9555]

I’m looking for the information on the fuel tank gauge and sending unit you mentioned would be under the comments section but do not see it. Can you please provide it? Thanks

[@jayzelectric]

Thanks for your awesome video. I have a question, Vegas carts told me I need a 42 15/16 drive belt. I can't find anyone that carries that belt. Do you have a model number or can you direct me to find this belt. I also have a 94 club car

[@mattthemechanic3996]

Was the stock starter/generator on yours strong enough to overcome the extra compression that engine makes? My original motor locked up, so I did the predator swap but I want to know if the stock starter/generator has enough torque to turn it over. Right now with the old starter/generator it stops on the compression stroke and I wanted to make sure that if I buy a newer stock style starter/generator that it will be enough to overcome the extra compression.

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

Yes. It has no problem at all.

[@scottykify]

Did you drill a hole in the engine sheetmetal to mount that throttle cable?

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

The cover over the fan on the side of the engine yes

[@DIYReid]

What gas level gauge did you buy?

[@brianpeterson8769]

is it much louder than a standard Gas cart motor or does it just seem that way in the video?

[@Chasingpargolf]

What engines allow you to do the start and stop with just the gas pedal? This is huge for me as i am looking to upgrade my cart but need an engine that is controlled by the pedal while on the golf course. Can this be done all the way up to 24HP or only the 420?

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

I believe with anything larger there wont be enough room for the generator / starter.

[@mgyer2218]

Very good

[@bensinclair7120]

Nice job! How did you control the choke? My new 459 predator won’t start without choking. Thanks

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWi4qZ-fe99osLM

[@jacklabloom635]

I read that the Predator 420 runs counter clockwise. On other conversions I watched, the engine is turned the other way and the drive belt is on the opposite side from your cart. How did you get the predator 420 engine to rotate clockwise?

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

It does rotate counter clockwise and this is how the oem engine runs on a 1993 Club Car DS with a FE290 engine. Counterclockwise

[@jacklabloom635]

Jack of All Master of None , thank you for your response. I did not know the secondary Drive pulley on the differential turned counter clockwise on club carts.

[@TheAngrySouthernGinger]

Does a 1984 run counter clock wise too??

[@Theandrew189]

How did you wire the starter to engage and disengage for starting and stopping? I didn’t a starter generator which is normally engaged while the engine is running. If you used the stock starter like this it would wear out the stock starter solenoid?

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

I used the club car starter motor, not the one on the engine. It works just like a regular golf cart engine.

[@CR500R]

The stock exhaust you've got is loud as hell too. I'd like to find a way to make it as quiet as possible. I'd also like to have an idle setup instead of killing it every time you let off the throttle. Nice video. Thanks for sharing.

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

Its not going to get quieter with a Honda clone style engine. The actual engine itself makes a lot of noise, even with the quietest exhaust. All I would have to do to keep it idling is turn up the idle screw and then use the kill switch to turn it off.

[@thesuperchargers5819]

Quick question. I’m going back and fourth between the 420cc and the 670cc v-twin. Is this motor a big upgrade from stock? Or does it really not feel much different. Also, how loud is it compared to stock, I don’t want something obnoxious. Nice cart man!

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

It's much better than stock and is slightly louder, but still quiet with the stock muffler.

[@Oversoul225]

I was trying to make this call too. I have a 420 predator on my Thai long tail Jon boat, and having experienced it's vibrations, and anemic starting with the on board system, opted for the vtwin to go in the cart. Parts are on order! The electrical system on my donor cart is trashed, so no point in worrying about the on cart generator.

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

I'm looking at buying a 1997 Club Car Carryall Plus 2, question about your conversion, so you start it BY pressing the gas pedal? Is the key switch only a off pn setup?? Is there not a way to use the Predator starter??

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

You can use the predator starter. You would have to replace the key switch with a different one that is compatible with the predator wiring system. Basically when the key is off it shorts out the coil. When it's on its open circuit and when it's held to the far right just like a car it would engage the starter.

[@horacioarredondo7670]

where do I find a secondary clutch that uses a 1"- 3/16" belt that fits a 7/8" shaft on my 1992 Clubcar

[@randyrowden5965]

What primary clutch did you use

[@cartsquads47]

Very nice build! How fast does it go with the forward and reverse being opposite now due to the engine rotation.

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

Forward and reverse are same as stock. This engine turns the same as the factory engine.

[@saysanakhamdaranikorn1138]

Did you use the rear stock clutch and what size belt you use. And also what clutch you use for the front?

[@dougking8424]

He's using a 780 clutch setup

[@troypike5611]

What size belt did you use

[@eliejean-baptiste8780]

I’m washing you. Please I’m trying to do the same thing. How should be the engine crankshaft another to use CVT Clutch? Should it be required a straight or tapered shaft.

[@jenky1044]

How come you didn't show the whole machine.? All your camera shots were tight (close). Only from the folded windshield down. Does it have a roof.? I think the bottom half looks cool. I like the color a lot.

[@mikeandrews8172]

I'm doing the same to my 92...I wish now I would have changed some stuff on the lift kit.. it's weak.in places..

[@Island360]

Will I need to change the 12:1 gears in the rear end to a 6:1 or 8:1 as i upgrade the motor?

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

I didnt upgrade the gears, no

[@MCscarfacematt]

I've got a 420 clone in mine stock gearing and hit 42km/h or 26 mph before things got sketchy with under-inflated tires and way to much tow-in so no you don't need to. but it is an option

[@cliffcorass5797]

I went through the same thing pulling the rear clutch, broke multiple pullers had to cut it off

[@Tampaboys]

Great build bud really nice

[@GhislainePierre-jq6hv]

Good job. I get a question I am working on a Club Car I am putting a Honda GX340. Can i use the same Exhaust System that you use on 420 Predator Because your Engine is similar to mine.Can you Direct me where to find Engine Mount Plate that come together with A Forward & Reverse Unit i will be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[@mike-qd5md]

did you use a stock club car drive belt with the comet clutch ?

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

No. It came with the engine kit

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

I know NOTHING about these things BUT I am looking at a 1997 Club Car GAS golf cart Carryall enclosed cab with aluminum dump bed, the guy wants $3800.00 for it, it runs and the guy says it has 165 compression, do you think this is a excessive price? What ISSUES should I look for ?? Was your engine conversion worth the time, $$, hassel for you ??

[@ethanpinnick2742]

Wondering what parts you actually needed to do this?

[@gibbsfarm9244]

Building an older cart how did you get the engine to start off the pedal push?

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

Utilizing the stock starter / generator

[@garrettcoryell3035]

I can’t get my carb spacer to pull a vacuum. Any ideas?

[@zurisklodowski1430]

What size rims are on this colf cart ??

[@exquisiteremodeling1]

Do you think the ride is rough because it's the heavy duty lift, or did you ge the regular lift kit?

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

It's much tougher than stock. But the shocks are super stiff in the back and that could be part of the problem.

[@seanjandu202]

so just to get it right , the Engine was around $ 300 ....but to make that engine work, it's $1,500 for the Kit..any other options besides just getting a running Gas Cart for $2,500 used?

[@dailyncompanioni6548]

Could you please do a video how to connect the wires to the motor?. I have a vegas performance motor very similar what you have but I can't figure out to do the wires to start the motor with the gas pedal, thank you!

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

Sorry. I no longer have this cart

[@jessecarrillo8587]

Where did you get your motor from

[@danielnunez3518]

Would the original torque convertor have been compatible with the 420 you swapped? I’m looking for something cheap that works with the engine I got for basically free

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

Not without modification. The keyway and shaft size is different

[@Phukifino]

I have all the parts coming for mine except the v-belt pulley for the generator and the drive belt. Both were out of stock at Vegas carts. Any idea where I can get one? Or specs for both parts so I can search for them? Belt length and v-belt pulley diameter would help a bunch. Thanks

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

Vegas carts makes these parts so I don't think you can get them anywhere else unfortunately

[@Phukifino]

@@JackofAllMasterofNone thanks for the quick reply. If you get a chance and could tell me the diameter of v-belt pulley I may be able to come up with something. Lots of resources and machine shops connections. Lol

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

Unfortunately I don't have it anymore. Sorry

[@horacioarredondo7670]

Does the predator 420 run CW. Or CCW

[@dougking8424]

I know it's an old video. Did I see the predator running clockwise just like the old engine?

[@michaelpottkotter6045]

Does your transmission have a governor arm on it that the throttle originally connected to?

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

Transmission does not

[@michaelpottkotter6045]

@@JackofAllMasterofNone alright, mine does. Thanks you did a nice job on your swap!

[@ROFLCOPTERS92]

Here's a question. Maybe you said it in the video and I missed it, but my 98 club car DS has the fe290d kawasaki engine that spins counter clock wise (if you're looking at it from the flywheel side). I see that engine spins clockwise. I know it wouldn't matter to the transmission, but if I were to do this, I would have a very low top speed because I would have to use reverse to go forward since the engine spins the opposite direction of the original kawasaki. Reverse has a much lower gear ratio. Did I miss something, or did yours happen to have a clockwise turning engine originally? Good video on all the work you've done also. The fuel gauge is a handy touch.

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

My stock engine spun the same way as the aftermarket engine, so it worked correctly. You are correct about your engine. It would mess up the gear ratio.

[@ragnaralmighty]

Is that a 4 stroke How did you get it to crank when yo press te gas and stop when you let off Im looking to make my ds like your Please let me know how you did it

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

It's part of the Vegas carts kit. you basically just have the throttle screw turned all the way out so it shuts off when you let off the gas. When you press the gas it activates the micro switch which runs the starter generator and the engine runs

[@ragnaralmighty]

@@JackofAllMasterofNone Ok thank you for the help I bought a transaxle rearend to take the electric parts out I was wondering if you know whats the lowest engine i can use Im fixing this cart formy wife to ride our handicapped daughter around on this dirt road we live on So im not looking for speed just enough power to climb up some hills Thank you again for the help

[@damonboswell8528]

I bought the predator engine for a 2001 club card and did a few of the modifications you showed when I drive it now and forward it drives slow like reverse when I put it in reverse it dreverse the drive fast like forward you have any ideas Thank you

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

Your original engine probably ran the opposite direction and you are in "reverse" while moving forward.

[@pjbarrett1980]

How did you wire the engine to start when you push the gas pedal?

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

It's just the stock starter motor from the golf cart. It's in the video

[@connorskipper6934]

Did you have to replace the spring in the primary clutch?

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

The whole CVT was replaced with the Vegas carts ones.

[@glamiscruzer]

I have the same cart. Can you make a video solely on wiring the fuel gauge ?

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

Already did 😀 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZTElqGah81nrZY

[@tormentor400]

can we get a straight run and top speed

[@Mr.Beastforpresident]

What’s the top speed?

[@johnnybonds8457]

How did you get away with no remote choke cable. The predator 420 is very hard to start without choke,

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

If you rejet the carburetor to run richer it starts right up. I did install a choke cable though.

[@kroozin5]

What belt size are u using

[@chadgeyer6819]

Looks like you live in Ohio. What area? I'm in Dubin. Do you have any tips on where I can find A DS front cowl that's reasonably priced?

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

Central Oh area. Not sure on the cowl. Check craigslist. Ive seen them on there every now and then. Shipping is expensive on something like that so buying locally is ideal.

[@Zameth29]

@@JackofAllMasterofNone amigo soy de Panamá, tengo un carrito igualito ayúdame para arreglar el motor. Mandame tu correo porfavor.

[@Zameth29]

@@JackofAllMasterofNone amigo mandame tu Instagram porfa urgente. Necesito saber más del motor

[@williamschuster4756]

nice looking cart. maybe i missed it but why not just rebuild the stock engine? that FE290 is a great motor.

[@swink49]

I’m doing the engine swap with the 420cc and I can’t find a clutch that comes with a generator pully on it. Your link pops up as not found error

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

Go to Vegas carts website and look around. They have probably restructured the website

[@Bcwallstreet]

I’m confused on how you hook the pulse pump to the motor and the carb to crest a vacuum

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

It's just a vacuum line running to the vacuum port on the carb. There is a spacer that attaches to the carb which has the port on it. It uses engine vacuum.

[@seanjandu202]

How did you get it to Reverse ? With that Vegas kit ?

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

No. It's the OEM Club car transaxle.

[@seanjandu202]

@@JackofAllMasterofNone yes but engine from harbor freight does not go into reverse? trying to do similar deal to my 1989 EZ GO gas 2 cycle cart, and the engine mount is from Vegas Carts? thanks

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

@@seanjandu202 The engine doesn't reverse. The transmission does. The engine, whether a Club Car engine or a Honda clone (aka Harbor Freight) simply provides power through the CVT belt to the transmission / rear end. It has a reverse gear built in that is actuated via a cable controlled lever.

[@seanjandu202]

@@JackofAllMasterofNone why thank you ! finally an answer that did NOT cost me $90 hourly, appericate it sir.

[@seanjandu202]

the mount for harbor frieght engine was an aftermarket attachment right

[@patrickmoore4923]

Can you give the belt number? I am using the original converter and clutch. Thanks . Very inforevideo

[@lanceulbrich6249]

I was able to use the belt from an ezgo txt or medalist

[@aaronsearch1189]

I have an '89 Club Car DS with the Vegas Carts kit and a Predator 420cc engine. I am with u on the Walker muffler being way too loud.

[@cub8286]

Ya same Any suggestions

[@jaythirty30]

Do you know off hand what size belt you run on this build? Show at 6:35

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

I do not. They included it with the kit. They like to keep it a secret. I couldn't find anything on the belt to identify it either. I no longer have this cart

[@craigkrage2689]

Damn!!!!! Did you spend 700 for that kit?

[@daveanderson8115]

The link to your lift kit doesnt work for me. Can you post another?

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

eBay changes links often, unlike Amazon. Just go to this site and find the kit part number for your cart and then search for it on eBay or Amazon or whoever sells it cheapest. www.steelenggolfcart.com/collections/lift-kits/club-car