Testing Out The New Vortex Rok GP - POWER REPUBLIC

This week we're talking all the details on the Vortex Rok GP, new in Australia for 2022.
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[@alanaustin9143]

Hi Derek I have been racing the Rok Gp in thailand for the last year ...thx so much for vid and your contribution to karting in Oz and especially power valve spring advice ...my motor is on the second piston now and we have adjusted the crank somewhat to make true as out of factory specs is approx 4 to 5 thou run out and it has been adjusted to about 1thou run out .. I brought this motor new in thailand ...great horsepower in this donk but without balanced gears it shakes the crap out of itself and breaks plastic electric connections and other things because of the vibration on the rok gp ..i have an max evo also but love driving the Rok ...hey mate I am an aussie still racing at 64 years old ...

[@alanaustin9143]

I will try to get some power valve springs in thailand but if not can i buy some .8 x 39 mm springs and send to me in thailand ..?

[@PowerRepublic]

Hey Al. That’s awesome. Send it Bro. When I come to Thailand 🇹🇭 I’m coming karting with you guys 🦾🦾🦾🦾

[@luximagesphotographer]

Awesome vid. Thanks for making it. Can’t wait to see the same tests with the AKA R1 and KA R2 restrictor plates.🙏

[@miwadabest1isgood476]

Patrizi brought them down to AKC RND 1 and with the restrictor and Weight penalty after the first practice session they pulled the motor off and smacked an X30 on, actions speak louder than words

[@PowerRepublic]

yeah , spew I didn't have them. I say let it roll, this motor is a beast!

[@philr33]

Awesome Derek, makes me want to jump back in!!!

[@PowerRepublic]

Get on it Philly

[@sergiunicolae7117]

The ROK GP is a super fun engine and I can speak only good about it. It was my first 125cc engine and I ran so many laps with it without any problem at all it was unreal, recently I had a problem with the piston but that was after almost 13-14 hours of use if not more so it’s super reliable if used correctly ( and no I’m never running an engine this much ever again, I’ve seen what it can do )

[@PowerRepublic]

thanks for the feedback , so you reckon bring the engine in at 10-12 hours for a new piston ?

[@sergiunicolae7117]

@@PowerRepublic Probably but at those kinds of hours I think it doesn’t make the same amount of power anymore plus you risk badly damaging the engine ( the piston might just explode when it’s past 10-11 hours )

[@adrianomarcandali]

Great content Derek! I could not wait for this one! Besides the spring, is there any other upgrades that I can try in order to get more ponneys? Anything from Vortex DVS that could also be applied?

[@PowerRepublic]

Hey Yo, yeah I haven't got much for you guys yet as we only just got them here in Australia. stay tuned as we go deep in this wicked little motor

[@thatguycody7]

Great content really interesting

[@PowerRepublic]

Thanks Cody, you got one of these beast motors yet?

[@thatguycody7]

No a bit out of my price range also I’m a bit to young I’m only in cadet 12

[@miwadabest1isgood476]

bought one, did testing with it, was 0.5 a lap slower without the restrictor compared to when i had an X30 strapped on

[@PowerRepublic]

Wow, thanks for the great feedback. Did it hit the rev limiter at 15k ?

[@miwadabest1isgood476]

@@PowerRepublic Yep, was 8kph down on the straight compared to the X30 and Rotax, tried 4 different jets at all pin positions with 4 different sprockets, had no top end, poor bottom end and average mid range, was hard to keep it alive down low.

[@AFFMotorsport]

Interesting one.

[@PowerRepublic]

Thanks Burki

[@DVerbe]

i would like to see more dynotesting, thanks!

[@PowerRepublic]

hey DV, thanks for the feedback, we have one coming out this week so stay tuned......

[@fredericewald675]

Hey, could you make a video for tuning the rok gp like you did for the rotax? Your videos are awesome :)

[@PowerRepublic]

Hey Frederic, sure can my friend. thanks heaps for tuning in and hopefully sharing the videos with your karting friends

[@XoticTech]

Hey Derick great vid man. just wanted to ask if you can do a vid on what makes different engines more powerful?

[@PowerRepublic]

Hey Venom. Thanks for tuning in. Glad you dig the Vids. Sure can, but the main difference is the ports size and duration. and the exhaust pipe system. Also too the capacity is key!!!

[@XoticTech]

@@PowerRepublic Sorry should of told you earlier its Aiden Hackwood, Robs son. Ok well that sounds right is there anything to do with the pistons?

[@jamiewaelend9242]

Awesome video Derek, do we know what the power comparisons are for the Tag Restricted class across Rotax/X30/Rok GP? Keen to understand which would be better. Thanks in advance.

[@PowerRepublic]

Currently for tag res the X30 is the easiest engine to use with the way the weight and restrictors are set up

[@gregfine1297]

Thanks for review Derick. I recently switched from a Iame MY09 to the Rok GP last year. I am very happy with the mid-range power band of the GP. It pulls so much stronger out of the corners and then when the power valve lifts, its like a rocket. Have you played around with the timing any on your dyno runs? Thank you for the comparisons. I run Heavy/Masters here in the U.S. The extra power over the other engines gives me a fighting chance with the other engines at lower weights.

[@PowerRepublic]

no I haven't changed the timing from standard. what's your recommendation for IT advance?

[@gregfine1297]

@@PowerRepublic I have not played with it yet. Only run it a few times. It was set up by the shop I purchased it from. I will check this evening and reply.

[@alanaustin9143]

I am using and racing my ROK and timing is set at 3.2 now and tried 2.8 but i like 3.2 atm ...not sure if this helps you but definetly change piston every 10 hrs as performance drops off after this for racing ...

[@gregfine1297]

@Power Republic Without pulling the engine off the kart, it is hard to make out the timing mark. It looks to be in the middle of the adjustment groove.

[@adrianomarcandali]

@@alanaustin9143 what have you changed in your Rok GP for racing besides timing?

[@ralphnicholls754]

There are rumors in Victoria about not being able to get it to run properly with the restrictor. No doubt you will run it with the restrictor. W ill look with interest for your take on this

[@PowerRepublic]

Hey Ralph. Yeah I’m spewing I didn’t have the Restrictor available for the testing. Seems strange to have a restriction in an open category. Maybe extra weight is a better form of comparison. Then if you are a bit over the class weight I.e heavier drivers you could choose a different option.

[@DF-tp8wn]

Hey Derek Any Dyno data on the ROK GP for restricted class? Cheers, love your work Dave

[@PowerRepublic]

Hey Dave, nah i havent got it back on for resticted. I wouldnt imagine its a weapon because the bottom end, but i could be wrong

[@chrisdriggers1296]

Is flipping the engine over the only way to drain the balance shaft oil? Mine is like this one in that they no longer have a viewport/drain plug? Thanks for all of your great videos!

[@PowerRepublic]

Yeah I think so. I haven’t done that many yet

[@mariom9694]

What main jet do you usually run?

[@repair.iT.]

Where cen i get the spring for the upgrade?

[@RDub1985]

Where did you get the cage for the fuel pump?

[@samrichardson3128]

Great video as always really interesting to see how a change like the power valve spring can have such s huge impact on the power output. I have a senior max evo and I’m struggling to get max rpm it feels like it’s really missing some power at the top end, I found the power valve adjuster screwed all the way in could this be the problem? Or something else. Thanks

[@alanaustin9143]

I find power valve adjustment screw better all the way out is better

[@PowerRepublic]

Hey Sammy, Thanks for the good vibes 😎 Top end revs in senior max are normal jetting. Then check battery strength. Then maybe check the power valve screw.

[@samrichardson3128]

@@PowerRepublic thanks for that, yeah I’ve done both of those already and the jetting had no effect always hovers around 13500 and I can see a time loss on the straight

[@alanaustin9143]

I raced rotax max evo last year and found the power valve wound out to just under flush on was good then adjust jetting and needle to suit the atmospheric preesures where you are racing ...can fine tune by needle height ..

[@PowerRepublic]

@@samrichardson3128 how many hour has the engine done since brand new? have you checked the Power valve length?

[@mediascapes2011]

Do you have a dyno comparison chart of the Vortex Rok GP with the Vortex OK class DVS or DST engine? THANK YOU

[@PowerRepublic]

Not really. Only a dyno for junior OK engine

[@mb60e]

Seems like the dips in the 11k-13k could be smoothed out.

[@gastonalaniz4163]

How can you do it?

[@felipepereira3432]

Hello Derek. I heard the "mixture or air screw" in the Carburator can be loose OR tightened in order to optimize performance, depending on the amount of slow or high speed sections in the racetrack... That´s part # 22 or # 23 in Dellorto 30 VHSH homologation sheet, I´m not sure. Do you have any knowledge on that? I´d appreciate.

[@wouterjansen7882]

Hi Felipe, in response on your remark at your comment, the best is 1,5 turn from the closed situation. That’s told by someone from Vortex Holland… Best regards, Wouter

[@PowerRepublic]

they will only effect the carbonation slightly. the main tuning will be done using the main jet, float level and needle clip position IMO

[@bhatch186]

Is the difference in power the same if you were to compare all the engines in the JR configuration?

[@PowerRepublic]

great question, I have to do a sequel and test out the other configurations

[@wouterjansen7882]

Hello Derk, can you show the influance of the power valve..? And then the different positions as totally closed and open and everything between. Which position off the carburateur you use..? 1,5 or 2 turns..?

[@PowerRepublic]

Sure can, stay tuned

[@wouterjansen7882]

@@PowerRepublic Derk, when can we expect this video..? Many thanks from Holland for your good work and clear explanations, it makes me enthousiastic…

[@felipepereira3432]

That´s basically the same question I made below. Looking forward to Derek response.

[@bagballz]

whats the rebuild times look like on these in comparison to the rotax?

[@PowerRepublic]

not sure yet, but it should be similar I would imagine because of the piston design

[@the_IndianaJames]

Where'd you get the front chain cover?

[@PowerRepublic]

I think it’s a PDK job

[@timboujos]

i thought these were ment to be the next big thing for 125 restricted.? do you reckon they will adjust the restrictor size to make it compare with the x30 in Aust?

[@PowerRepublic]

stay tuned ........

[@GiannisZetec]

Hey guys, does anybody know if the issue with the spring is still on? I have recently bought a rok gp and wondering if I have to do the spring change or if vortex fixed this issue

[@PowerRepublic]

hey , yeah they have fixed them her in AUS afaik. where you racing ?

[@GiannisZetec]

@@PowerRepublic thanks for replying. I am racing in Greece

[@cryptoserpent]

Any updates for on track performance?

[@PowerRepublic]

not looking good against the X30 in SA AKC.

[@cryptoserpent]

@@PowerRepublic appreciate the reply.

[@theodorwllestad9324]

I dont understand why tou can race the JR. Class with this engine from 12 years old, but you have to wait until 15 to drive x30

[@jesperek6402]

Hi :) I wonder if anything in the Rotax Max engine can get damage if the engine is stored in a container when it is minus degrees at night? We have almost season now, but as today for example, the temperatur is minus 8 degrees in the morning! And the folllwing weeks the temperatur is going to be minus at night and plus in the day. Should we wait to bring the kart out to the track until it is plus degrees even at night? Best regards from Jesper

[@SteffenSkov]

I would make sure to drain the water from the engine and cooling system before storing at temperatures below 0°C. Apart from that, I have never heard of engine damage due to freezing temperatures.

[@PowerRepublic]

Hey Jes, yeah like Steffen said, take the water out of then if the temps are way low, cause the water can expand so much and actually crank the cylinders. other than that I would do the usual pre race checks and maintenance and then F N send it!!!

[@alanaustin9143]

Derek i cannot get power valve springs for Rok Gp in thailand can a couple be sent from Power Republic to me in thailand ..I have emailed you guys and tried to ring but with no success ..?

[@PowerRepublic]

hi Alan, sure can mate, otherwise they are available here koene.com/product/vortex-rok-gp-power-valve-spring-40-mm

[@aydendelrio5226]

Do you recommend junior ka100 as a good first class to get into?

[@PowerRepublic]

yeah for sure, that is the most popular class here for kids aged 12-15.

[@camhollo1139]

It’s also good for getting the feel of karting and learning how to overtake without causing a crash as it is much easier to push a ka100 to its limits than an x30 or rotax

[@arisk2410]

@@camhollo1139 why do you say that?

[@miky72x]

hi, how many springs do you have installed in the exhoust valve?

[@PowerRepublic]

Just the one.

[@miky72x]

@@PowerRepublic thanks, do you mean that you haven't another spring between the valve housing and the exhaust valve, but only one spring under the valve cover?

[@edostyle8356]

So confusing. Do they run with a restrictor for racing TAG125 in Australia or not ?

[@shifterdriver6215]

Junior class is restricted. Senior and masters class should be open

[@PowerRepublic]

yeah sorry about the confusion, when the engine was introduced the Karting Australia regulations had a restrictor plate in the exhaust to knock the power down. it has been deleted now so that the power figures and configuration in this video are correct

[@wgd997]

Is there a part number for that lighter spring?

[@PowerRepublic]

I’ll find out.

[@alanaustin9143]

I would like to know part number also

[@alanaustin9143]

The standard spring part number is W10171\WF ....this is for the longer and thicker spring ..

[@the_IndianaJames]

It looks like there's only one part number. Verify when you order the spring is shorter than 41mm.

[@AshwinRana72]

Hi Derek, where do I buy this spring?

[@PowerRepublic]

koene.com/product/vortex-rok-gp-power-valve-spring-40-mm

[@adrianomarcandali]

@@PowerRepublic hey Derek, is this new spring made by OTK Group ? Or was it custom made by Koene(not OTK group) for performance purposes? I am asking you this because my OTK Distributor in Brazil does not have such spring!

[@BernieTheEvilF1Ruler]

Probably work noting how many tracks have a track license that allows this engine unrestricted - it cant run everywhere

[@PowerRepublic]

Duly noted. Be heaps fun but 💨

[@bwriter3777]

We got one. .thier junk round ipswixh... just get an x30

[@mariom9694]

Why is it restricted to 13,000rpm? Red line is 15,000rpm

[@PowerRepublic]

hey Mario. Yeah that’s cause we run out of revs on the dyno. I would have to change the gear ratio and do the test from 9-15k rpm. Instead we use the 7-13 range for easy testing and comparison

[@matto5240]

What model of spark plug Is needed for the rok dvs? Thanks

[@PowerRepublic]

We use ngk B9 EIX

[@matto5240]

@@PowerRepublic thanks, and the standard It should be b10eg?

[@PowerRepublic]

yeah

[@frenchLeon]

What are the rebuild time on these ?

[@PowerRepublic]

Hey Lee. Not sure, just got them. I’m sure more than 10 hours but some guys will rebuild before each event.

[@ilikemyboost]

Piston-30 hours piston pin -60 liters Piston pin roller cage-60 liters Connection rod-90 hours Crank shaft pin-200 liters Silver washer-200 liters Crank shaft roller cage-200 liters

[@malmason3364]

The engine looks great, but a pointless test really comparing against engines it will not compete in current format. There will be a lot of interest in this test with both open and tag restricted restrictor to see if you can produce power comparable to IAME and rotax

[@malmason3364]

P.S, Love your Vid’s

[@PowerRepublic]

Yeah sorry about that, didn't have access to the restrictor plate at the time. I guess its a little more relevant now because they have changed the rules to run this configuration currently. I will have to put another vid out with the Tag Restricted format comparison.

[@rezachoirilfahmipanggabean6529]

Hey bro Give me used engine 😊...

[@PowerRepublic]

not sure about that, you might win too many races