Need some clarification please.

[chinochung]

Ok so maybe I'm asking the same question again but somewhere along my research, I got confused.

I own a 2018 TaoTao atm540a1 50cc scooter. Im relatively happy with it but as always, I would love to be able to get more power out of the little engine. Going with a big bore kit it's not an option so here's what I was thinking.

Start with a 20mm carburetor with a cone air filter. In tha past when I have work on my cars, the better air flow, the more air and better performance from a stock engine. But, that's with a fuel injected engine. I honestly dont know if it works the same when going from a 18mm to a 20mm unrestricted air flow carburetor.

If that gives me the performance Im looking for, than I might stop at that. If it's not enough, then per being suggested, I'll go with a performance variator and sliders.

Here's what im trying to accomplish. I use my 50cc scooter for work as I am a courier. i dont carry very loads other than my 180lb self plus some food. On a good day here in New Orleans, my scooter has gone a little over 40mph per my GPS. Right now, im not trying to go much more over that but I want to have enough power when I go on overpasses. Some are not too steep but yesterday I slowed down to almost 20mph with cars behind me. That SCARES me.

Eventually and once I have save enough money, i'll buy a bigger scooter but for now, I need this one to last me a while. So, can someone please (AGAIN) point me into the right direction?

TIA!!

[lilpinny]

I'd start with the transmission. A performance varilator and weights. That's the easiest and most value for money upgrade you can do. When you start messing with the intake you have to jet your carb and adjust your exhaust it can open a whole can of worms and leave you with a busted scoot. FI can adjust for more air by adding more gas to the mix (to a certain extent). Your scoot won't do that.

[chinochung]

Jan 23, 2019 21:25:42 GMT -5 lilpinny said:

I'd start with the transmission. A performance varilator and weights. That's the easiest and most value for money upgrade you can do. When you start messing with the intake you have to jet your carb and adjust your exhaust it can open a whole can of worms and leave you with a busted scoot. FI can adjust for more air by adding more gas to the mix (to a certain extent). Your scoot won't do that

Thanks man. I'll start with that then. Any suggestions on what weight to get? I have no idea what the stock weights are so I have no clear starting point.

[lilpinny]

Just a kinda guideline with a ruckus 50cc is 5.5 grams if you are under 180 pounds or mix 4 gram and 6 gram sliders if you are over. You’d load a 4, then a 6,4,6,4,6 just alternating like that. There is no true combination. Use dr pulley sliders, not rollers. Use a dr.pulley varilator, since it’s designed for the sliders... although you can use sliders on anything.

youd have to make sure that varilator would fit on your bike. If not use any aftermarket varilator... pollini , etc.

[chinochung]

Jan 23, 2019 22:47:00 GMT -5 lilpinny said:

Just a kinda guideline with a ruckus 50cc is 5.5 grams if you are under 180 pounds or mix 4 gram and 6 gram sliders if you are over. You’d load a 4, then a 6,4,6,4,6 just alternating like that. There is no true combination. Use dr pulley sliders, not rollers. Use a dr.pulley varilator, since it’s designed for the sliders... although you can use sliders on anything.

youd have to make sure that varilator would fit on your bike. If not use any aftermarket varilator... pollini , etc.

So, After finally been able to get the Variator nut off, I installed 5.5g sliders and Im happy. It made a big difference in acceleration. I went with the stock variator for now but Im planning on getting an aftermarket one.

One thing that still bugs me is that even though I gained more acceleration, Im still not powerful enough for some overpasses in my city specially if I have front wind coming at me. What should the next thing should be. A performance/racing clutch or should I be considering getting a 20mm carb with the foam filter and a set of jets? Money is super tight right now so maybe that's why Im asking what should my next thing should be.

As always, TIA

[GrumpyUnk]

You are likely approaching the limits of what can be done. Unless you go to a larger diameter bore & piston, the gains will be incrementally small.
Things that are easy are to make sure tire pressure is not low, Perhaps even add a few more pounds of pressure empty out the storage bins of anything you don't really need. Remove any plastic bits you find extra as plastic is pretty heavy or dense compared to sheet metal. Don't upset the aerodynamic parts. Remove one of the kickstands, the one you don't use, though I always use the center stand personally.
With limited funds, the least expensive things to do involve removing 'extras' that are not needed to ride SAFELY.
tom

[eclark5483]

Cheap and free tip. The ATM50 has a restricted muffler. Found this out when I went to do a dyno pull on a couple of them. Get a drill with a very long bit that will reach and drill out that washer. Will be just a bit louder, but not much, improves performance overall.

[Bugzee]

Feb 10, 2019 12:14:17 GMT -5 eclark5483 said:

Cheap and free tip. The ATM50 has a restricted muffler. Found this out when I went to do a dyno pull on a couple of them. Get a drill with a very long bit that will reach and drill out that washer. Will be just a bit louder, but not much, improves performance overall.

Where is this washer? Just drill from open end of muffler? How big of a drill bit?
Thanks!

[eclark5483]

Don't recall how big, but yes, drill from end of muffler. If you shine a flashlight inside, you'll see it. Was only able to get A/F probe in maybe half way, so it's not too far in.

[Happypancake!]

In order to not to guess when tuning you’ll need to GET at tach. Are you hitting the ecu limiter?

If you want to climb hills earlier you’ll need to keep RPMs in the power band.

A stiffer clutch spring (contra) will help.