A go kart clutch is a coupling that connects the crankshaft of the engine to the rear axle or drive axle of the go kart. The clutch allows the engine to run at low rpms without a load from the drive axle. At the set engagement rpm, the clutch will engage and start to apply torque to the drive axle moving the go kart.
Best Predator 212 Clutches
- Hilliard Inferno Flame – More Expensive Racing Application For Clone and LO206
- Hilliard Extreme Duty Clutch – More Expensive Recreational Use
- Max-Torque – More Expensive Recreational use (yard karts)
- FDJ Go Kart/Mini Bike Clutch – Cheapest Recreational Use
- Comet Clutch – More Expensive Recreational Use (yard karts)
A predator 212 clutch is one of the most important pieces in making your go kart actually go. A go kart clutch is designed to allow slippage at low engine rpms so the engine crankshaft is not engaged. Then at peak torque the shoes engage with the drum and your moving.
A clutch allows you to sit still with the engine running idle and not stall out the engine. Well, where is the clutch pedal? You don’t need it! A predator 212 clutch or any centrifugal clutch engages at a set rpm of the engine.
If you spun in a circle super-fast, you would feel your arms wanting to pull away from the center of your body. A centrifugal clutch operates on the same principle. As the engine rpm increases the weights in the clutch want to fly out. As they fly out the clutch engages. This connects the engine to the drivetrain and away you go.
Predator 212 Clutch
The beauty of the predator engine is the cost. You can buy a reliable engine that is ready to roll. Minus the clutch. But don’t worry the clutch can be very affordable.
Top 5 best Predator 212 Clutches
- Hilliard Inferno Flame – More Expensive Racing Application For Clone and LO206
- Hilliard Extreme Duty Clutch – More Expensive Recreational Use
- Max-Torque SS – More Expensive Recreational use (yard karts)
- FDJ Go Kart/Mini Bike Clutch – Cheapest Recreational Use
- Comet Clutch – More Expensive Recreational Use (yard karts)
Any of these clutches will work with a Predator 212 engine. The question is which one will give you the least amount of trouble. A predator 212 clutch is a simple device that most people take for granted.
Hilliard Inferno Flame
Features
- Easy to assemble and adjust
- Adjustable RPM engagement
- Heavy Duty
- Racing Application
- Clutch sprocket sold separately
- ¾” Bore
- 3/16 Keyway Shaft
The Hilliard Inferno Flame Clutch is the perfect clutch for a racing application. That also means this clutch will work fine for recreational use and custom builds. This clutch fits a predator 212 and a Clone engine (box stock project) which utilizes the ¾” shaft size. It is also built to handle the horsepower and weight.
The clutch and the sprocket sell separately. This is great for a racing application. You want the tunability of the gear ratio. This clutch will work with a 35 or 219 chain. The available 35 chain sprockets are
Available Sprockets
35 Chain Sprockets
- 11 tooth #35
- 12 tooth #35
- 13 tooth #35
- 14 tooth #35
- 15 tooth #35
- 16 tooth #35
- 17 tooth #35
- 18 tooth #35
- 19 tooth #35
- 21 tooth #35
- 23 tooth #35
219 Chain Sprockets
- 16 tooth #219
- 17 tooth #219
- 18 tooth #219
- 19 tooth #219
- 20 tooth #219
- 21 tooth #219
- 22 tooth #219
The engagement RPM is adjustable with easily changeable springs. You can mix and match springs to tune the engagement RPM. If you are looking to replace your current Predator 212 Clutch with one that is sure to last. Consider the Hilliard Inferno Flame Clutch.
Hilliard Extreme Duty Clutch
What makes the Hilliard Extreme Duty Clutch one of the best are the advantages it has to offer.
Features
- Integral keyway desig
- Sintered metal clutch shoes
- Supports up to 13 HP
- Several engagement speeds with different spring sets
- Economically Priced for higher performance and tunability
- 10 Tooth and 12 Tooth Sprockets
- 35 and 40/41 Chain Sprockets available
- Engagement ranges from 1.200 – 3,000 rpm with springs
Hilliard makes the best Predator 212 clutch. This clutch is a bit more expensive but what would you rather do? Would you rather be working on your predator 212 clutch all the time or be out having fun racing around? Easy question to answer in my mind.
Max Torque SS
The Max Torque SS (Six Shoe) clutch is a great Predator 212 clutch. They have a tried-and-true design that makes this clutch dependable and durable. Max Torque has been producing these clutches since the 1970s. They know a thing or two about what works and what does not.
Features
- ¾” Shaft Bore
- 3/16 Keyway
- Six shoes for clutch engagement
- Used with a 35 chain and
- Garter Spring made of 302 Stainless Steel
- Available 12 and 13 tooth sprockets
What makes this predator 212 clutch good is the simplicity. There is one spring for engagement. There are springs you can change out which will change when the clutch engages. There are six shoes in the clutch, so the engagement is very secure. It also features a ¾” shaft bore and 3/16 keyway slot fitting a Predator 212 engine perfectly.
FDJ Go-Kart Clutch
Features
- 10, 11, and 12 Tooth Sprockets available
- Fits with a 40/41/420 chain
- ¾” bore
- 3/16 built in Keyway
- Cheapest Option
This predator 212 clutch is the most economical option. It is the cheapest of any option on this list. When building a backyard fun kart this clutch will work just fine. There are thousands of people that have fantastic results with using this clutch.
Some basic maintenance of the clutch will go a long way. When dealing with any clutch. Maintenance will extend the life and prevent any problems. Problems such as slipping and overheating of the clutch.
Comet Clutch
Features
- ¾” Bore
- Six Shoes for engagement
- 3 ¾” wide drum (more surface area for friction shoes to engage)
- Pre-Lubricated
- High Temperature spring
The comet Clutch is number 5 on the predator 212 clutch performance list. This clutch is similar to the FDJ but has some slight improvements. Justifying the increase in price from the FDJ predator 212 clutch.
The Comet clutch claims to be maintenance free 4” clutch. With that being said I do not believe that any of these clutches are maintenance free. The Predator 212 clutches on this list need to be serviced sometime.
This clutch has a 3 ¾” wide engagement drum. The more surface area to engage with means the more durable and stronger the clutch will be. There are six shoes that apply a chatter free operation. The spring is rated for high temperatures. The bushing is oiled from the factory to help prevent wear. Again, all clutches need servicing at some point in time.
Predator 212 Clutch – Helpful Information
Clutches may seem like a magic trick how they can engage at one rotational speed but at another they just spin. A predator 212 clutch relies on the weights and springs to engage at a certain revolution per minute or RPM.
The shoes are splined to the crankshaft and the clutch drum body is connected to the rear axle via the sprocket. As the engine increases in RPM the weights want to fly out. Due to centrifugal force the shoes try to make contact with the clutch drum body. The springs hold the weights in place. At lower RPMs the engine is not making peak torque to engage the clutch.
As the engine sped increases, the peak torque range is achieved. The springs are not strong enough to keep the weights from flying out. The force is so great that the friction between the shoes and the body prevents slippage. Thus, the sprocket is turned. This drives the axle and wheels making you move.
Predator 212 Clutch Specifics
There are a lot of clutches that look the same. When purchasing a clutch for your predator 212 engine there are some specifics you want to have in your clutch.
- Shaft Size – ¾” size bore
- Maximum torque at 2500 rpm – Stall speed needs to be in that range
- Able to support a minimum of 6.5 HP
These are some of the most important details when purchasing a predator 212 clutch.
Peak Torque Range
To take full advantage of your clutch you are going to want the clutch to engage at or just before peak RPM. How do you know peak torque? Well, this can be tricky especially if you are modifying your predator engine. Let’s look at the stock predator 212 specs to see how we should set the engagement on the clutch.
A predator 212 clutch will need to engage at 2400-2600 rpms. According to BMI Karts & Parts. The peak torque of a Predator 212 engine is at 2500 RPM. The way to adjust your engagement RPM is by adjusting the springs and or the weights.
Lighter Spring – Earlier Engagement
Heavy Spring – Later Engagement
Lighter Weights – Later engagement
Heavy Weights – Eary engagement
Hilliard has a nice bar graph that explains what color springs engage at certain RPMs. You can mix and match springs to try and get the clutch engaged as close as possible.
So now you know where you want to set it but how do you know what RPM you are at? You could invest in a MyChron tachometer but that may be a little fancy for the backyard yard kart.
I would recommend investing a little bit of money on a tachometer. The reason for this is not only to tune your predator 212 clutch but also to protect your engine. These engines are rated for certain RPMs. You will want to avoid going past that RPM or you may be picking up the pieces later.
Cleaning and Maintenance
A cheap Predator 212 clutch or expensive one needs to be cleaned. These clutches are wear items. That means they get dirty, hot, and they break down. Show them a little love and TLC.
When you first purchase a predator 212 clutch before you install it there are a couple steps you need to take.
First remove the drum from the clutch itself. You should be looking at a brass or steel bushing on the drum on the inside of the sprocket. Using your finger, put some 30W oil on the bushing. Not a lot, just a couple drops is plenty. You do not want to over oil a clutch. The oil can work its way on the shoe contact surface and the shoes can slip or catch fire.
Secondly, you want to use mineral spirits or brake cleaner to wipe down the area on the drum where the shoes will make contact. Some metals can be shipped with a light film of oil to prevent surface rusting. Wiping this oil off can prevent slippage at initial use of the clutch.
Lastly after each use a good habit would be to apply some oil to the crankshaft and clutch bushing. If safely possible use a spray nozzle attachment to apply some lubricant to the bushing. WD-40 or a similar lubricate will do.
Conclusion
Purchasing a clutch for your predator 212 engine is not the most exciting part of your go karting experience. It is part of the journey though. Learning which clutch will be the best and which ones you should spend the money on. Fortunately, the cheaper clutches on this list are around 20 bucks. Most people will buy the cheap one and say if it breaks whatever I’ll go buy another!
Been there and done that! In the end I would have been better off purchasing something that will last and give me the least problems. I hope this information is helpful and if you have any questions return Home or feel free to contact us!
