Author Topic: Torque Convertor  (Read 2487 times)

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Torque Convertor
« on: 20 Aug 19, 09:17 am »
Given the big difference in cost between Comet and clones I thought it worth doing a bit of research.

Anyone happy to share experiences with Comet and clone torque convertors/CVT's?   If you've bought a clone, please list the supplier (ie not just "eBay").    Have you had any problems with your torque convertor?  Any breakages?   What has belt life been like?

I'm running a Comet TAV2-30 with a petrol engine going to 6.8:1 final drive on my Bugatti.   I've had no problems so far but it's not had massive usage yet.

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Re: Torque Convertor
« Reply #1 on: 20 Aug 19, 02:03 pm »
I have used Max Torque, and GTC, no problems with either.
Chris at Gemini said that some of the Chinese ones are OK, a call to him would get the better version. (I have also seen the exploded parts of a bad Chinese one, and the consequent damage to the seat back when it did).
We must avoid torturing our brains with false problems, it occupies but it can annoy. In jest!

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Re: Torque Convertor
« Reply #2 on: 21 Aug 19, 09:00 pm »
Mine is a cheap Chinese copy off eBay .. ref AC-ZJZYQ-1085 cost £43 it shed the belt on my last lap at Stretton in July It’s ran the May meet as well. I’ve got spare belts. I’ve had no probs so far
The Comet one seems to be about £160 so I could buy four of mine for the same price. Not sure if any of the parts are interchangeable.
I’m tempted to buy another one as a spare if I need it.

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Re: Torque Convertor
« Reply #3 on: 23 Aug 19, 09:48 am »
I have spoken with Gemini Karts regarding the Comet Torque converter that they sell. They are the sole importer in Europe as far as they are aware.
However they are also very well aware of the clones that are available at very low prices and have investigated a few of these alternatives over the past years. As approved distributors for Comet they market this solely on their website, and if customers request a Comet they supply this exclusively.
HOWEVER... and I had not previously noticed, some of you may have, their website also directs you to their Ebay shop 'geminikartscouk' (same address as their website but without dots'. On this platform they sell additional items including a clone TAV2.



When VAT and postage is taken into consideration this is half the price of the Comet. Gemini are aware that there are even cheaper versions available, but after testing the clone market are happy to supply this version through Ebay. I had a look at one and although the finishing detail is not the same quality, the robustness still appeared present. The belt did not appear to be the same quality as Comet, but this is a consumable in reality. Apparently the Comet spares that Gemini sell should be interchangeable, including the springs previously discussed.


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Re: Torque Convertor
« Reply #4 on: 28 Feb 24, 01:37 pm »
And some very cheap torque convertors on Ebay at the moment from Vevor with "upgraded belt" (I used this brand on the BSA and it has done the job so far - not a Comet, but it works as it should)

JimR
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Re: Torque Convertor
« Reply #5 on: 21 May 24, 05:56 am »
VEVOR now seem to have a U.K site after the earlier listings on Ebay, the Torque convertors are here... https://uk.vevor.com/s/torque-converte

... But they also appear cheaper from a different store on Ebay...

Last time this deal was on, if you put one in your watchlist on Ebay, there was a hefty discount after a day or so offered.

JimR
« Last Edit: 22 May 24, 06:26 am by Jimr1999 »
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Re: Torque Convertor
« Reply #6 on: 24 May 24, 06:21 am »
Out of stock in the U.K. in two days! They started with 50 units when I saw the first ad, there must be a lot of builds going on!  ;D
JimR
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Re: Torque Convertor
« Reply #7 on: 14 Sep 24, 07:10 am »
Vevor torque convertors down in price for a few days...
Shop VEVOR Go Kart Torque Converter Kit CVT Clutch 3/4" Replaces Comet TAV2 30-75 218353A Manco 10T #40/41 (Comes with 1 Sprocket - 1x 10 Tooth 40/41) at lowest price, 2-day delivery, 30-day ...
Vevor.co · uk.vevor.com


Also on Ebay...


JimR
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Re: Torque Convertor
« Reply #8 on: 14 Sep 24, 07:18 am »
My First Vevor one has cracks around the bearing boss. I got a refund the second one from a differnet Ebay shop was fine, it looked identical but has cheaper non plated fastenings

Re: Torque Convertor
« Reply #9 on: 10 Oct 24, 10:18 am »
Hi,
    I dont have a CK yet but reading up and looking at stuff.

I came across this YouTube video on the differences between a Comet and a Clone.
Makes interesting watching.



Basic message is, you get what you pay for.

There are also a few words on belts.
I have worked pretty much 40+ years in the automotive industry.
In the OE Supplier base.
Most suppliers also have an aftermarket division.
Re belts ( I worked in Poly V for 15 years) Worldwide in OE there are only 5 belt suppliers worth talking to and they supply 100% of the OE business.

These belts although not Poly V are all made in similar ways with similar materials.
Technically, materially and production control, there is a massive difference between OE Grade and cheap aftermarket stuff.

The 5 good belt manufacturers are
Contitech, Gates, Dayco, Hutchinson and Optibelt.
I forget the Japanese one.
Most/all have manufacturing sites globally. 
You will see belts with lots of names on. Eg Bosch or Dunlop, neither who manufacture belts. They are just branded. I am not advocating buying the OEM part. Nobody in the know buys Honda branded belts at 10 to 15 times the price. You just need a decent grade aftermarket part. Don’t be fooled by say buying from  Dayco only. Depending on the tooling, In aftermarket they all sell their belts to each other. It is about offering a full catalogue of parts. All these guys make OK/good product. They are known names with a reputation to look after. 

Watch the video on the link. interesting.

I am not endorsing specifically this company or products, as I have no experience.
I 100% get what he says though, both about Torque Converters and Belts.


Regards
Richard
"Inches Away from mm Perfect"
« Last Edit: 11 Oct 24, 03:50 am by Richard Holland »

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Re: Torque Convertor
« Reply #10 on: 11 Oct 24, 12:35 pm »
Gemini  Karts spent some time looking at clone alternatives to the Comet a few years ago. The 'generic torque converter' that they sell on their website is a model that they are happy to supply with respect to reliability.

Re: Torque Convertor
« Reply #11 on: 11 Oct 24, 01:51 pm »
Hi Graham, what you said I think is exactly the case.

when you get the chance to watch the YouTube Video, the American shop who sell both the Comet and a better Chinese one, explain the differences and show you.
Like Gemini in the UK, he says they are happy to sell one of the better Chinese ones, in terms of reliabilty.
(He also explains, that when they contact their Chinese suppliers, they are asked on a scale of 1 to 10 the quality of the part they want.
This American shop says they buy an 8 and are happy to sell it at the much lower price of a good clone part.
He also says when you just buy a generic Clone off E bay, you dont know exacly what level it is re quality and materials.
He was equally accepting that for many people, who are not hard users and really do not want to pay the premium for a Comet.
A good grade clone is fine and if they did not sell it, the customer would buy elsewhere.

If you watch the detail of the video, it explains the fit, tolerances and play differences, as well as the "geometrical" and finish differences between them.

Fully understanding of course that a Comet is more aimed at serious track/off road race Karts. As opposed to CycleKart users that are not necessarily looking for the outright speed and acceleration and hard use.

Regards

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Re: Torque Convertor
« Reply #12 on: 22 Oct 24, 07:24 am »
Not specifically torque convertors, but in regards Chinese "lawn machinery"
One of my far too many employments, was in that industry, and we had our own product design made in China. As long as we stayed on top of quality control we had few problems. One of the issues we had originally had was long resolved, when suddenly reared it's head again. Both of us, Director and I could not remember what we had done to resolve it, but 2 am lightbulb and we talked in the morning, remembering it related to belt back width on the drive system (somewhat like a TAV but different). We phoned the people who made the lawn tractors for us.
Conversation went something like Me "Why have you changed back to the old size belts?"
Person in China "Our engineer says there is no problem"
Me, "there is, and you need to use what we specify"
PIC "Engineer say no problem"
Me "How many of our next order is loaded into the 40' container right now?"
PIC "Only 2 to go"
Me "Do you want me to cancel that order right now if you won't change the belts, and remember that we have a contract that you can not sell our designs or product?"
PIC "We will change them all today", "How many replacement belts must we send you".
Another time we were shearing the heads off bolts very easily. Another phone call which raised the discussion of grade of bolts. In this one they told me that they could mark the bolts however we wanted, grade6, 12.2 or whatever. No, we just want that you USE the right grade.
Bottom line, it's always a chance it won't be what you wanted, but was usually resolved if we stayed on top of things, they will drift to cheap given a chance.
We must avoid torturing our brains with false problems, it occupies but it can annoy. In jest!

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Re: Torque Convertor
« Reply #13 on: 18 Sep 25, 08:46 am »
morning all,

just piggybacking off this thread. looking to get a torque converter for my cyclekart. The comet seems a bit pricey for the use I'm expecting to get from the kart.

I've had a look at the links and videos above. Unfortunately gemini appears to have been out of stock of their chosen clone torque converter for a while but on ebay you can get the vevor and this other clone. Any advice on what might be the better choice between the two?

thanks again




Re: Torque Convertor
« Reply #14 on: 18 Sep 25, 10:09 am »
This is what I have on both of mine, if you can hold out the prices come down to as low as £32 with offers and discount codes which happen fairly regularly on ebay.