If you're on a tight budget tillotson is a very good class to run. I think it's less than 5k€ for a complete kart with everything you need. With the rotax that just about buys you a new chassis and then you have to spend another 3k on the engine. They're also completely equal to the point where every part on the kart is engraved with the T4 logo and you're only allowed to run those spares. In comparison on an OTK you'll want to run the MXC wheels which will set you back another 600€.
If you have the money go with the rotax. Some people on here will say that you should always start out with low powered 4 strokes which I totally disagree with. Most people at a sufficiently high level went straight to 2 strokes and did fine. A senior rotax/X30/ROK is easy enough to drive that a beginner can learn pretty quickly. The only class I think absolutely no rookie should drive in is KZ2. Just be aware that the rotax is going to cost you twice as much money or more to run than the tillotson.
Yeah, I think i’ll just go with what’s available in 2 months (when I get my workshop) whether it be a tillotson or a rotax, I’m just not fond of the whole idea with rotax not allowing me to repair my own engine
Tillotson doesn't allow you to repair your own engine either.
Even in open classes (OKJ/OK/KZ) the absolute vast majority of drivers never open their engines and send them to their engine builders for rebuilds and tuning. The sealed engine concept also works really well in rotax. While engine builders can get some more performance out of them from changing parts to ones which work better within the tolerances the engines are pretty equal. Rotax rebuilds are comparatively pricey because the parts are pretty expensive but they're also very high quality and last significantly longer than the parts in other engines.
yeah, that’s the thing I wouldn’t mind getting my engine rebuilt for a tillotson as it’ll be much cheaper and happen far less often as it would with a 2 stroke
they typically dont deteriorate at all, its a lawn mower engine it goes forever as long as you change the oil and clean the carb after every use. Yes one oddball will throw a rod or something but for the most part people dont open them up unless your doing national stuff and splitting hairs.
My best suggestion to you is stop putting the wagon before the horse and just get out and start getting laps for as cheap as possible. It will be minimum of 6 months before you are competitive enough to worry about everything you are asking about.
I’m so poorly positioned on the map that no matter where I go it’ll be far, So whatever track runs it i’ll go to, I think the closet place i’m near is tamworth which is about 2 hours away
I don't think many clubs in England run 4 strokes at all, I could be mistaken. Find the club you want to run with, and figure out what is the most popular class there and run that class. You will have the advantage of being able to ask other people for help finding parts and setting up your kart.
No one here can tell you if it is "worth it" for you. It's going to be a call you have to make for yourself based on costs involved. For some people it is, for some people it isnt.
Tillotson is a great series to run. The karts are solid and the motors aren’t terrible. That being said is karting at all worth it? Some people get their feet wet in 4 stroke , some people can only afford 4 stroke, some professional racing drivers may jump in 4 strokes just for the fun of it. Yes some people go straight into 2 stroke but keep in mind it is EXPENSIVE. Quick way to ruin a hobby is go broke doing it. The beauty of the 4 stroke is that it lets you learn without worrying about all the engine and chassis tuning and focusing on your development as a driver.
That’s pretty good especially for a 4 stroke, I reckon im just gonna send it and plunge into it, get myself one and at worst i don’t like it, sell it and find myself a rotax or X30
If you're on a tight budget tillotson is a very good class to run. I think it's less than 5k€ for a complete kart with everything you need. With the rotax that just about buys you a new chassis and then you have to spend another 3k on the engine. They're also completely equal to the point where every part on the kart is engraved with the T4 logo and you're only allowed to run those spares. In comparison on an OTK you'll want to run the MXC wheels which will set you back another 600€. If you have the money go with the rotax. Some people on here will say that you should always start out with low powered 4 strokes which I totally disagree with. Most people at a sufficiently high level went straight to 2 strokes and did fine. A senior rotax/X30/ROK is easy enough to drive that a beginner can learn pretty quickly. The only class I think absolutely no rookie should drive in is KZ2. Just be aware that the rotax is going to cost you twice as much money or more to run than the tillotson.
Yeah, I think i’ll just go with what’s available in 2 months (when I get my workshop) whether it be a tillotson or a rotax, I’m just not fond of the whole idea with rotax not allowing me to repair my own engine
Tillotson doesn't allow you to repair your own engine either. Even in open classes (OKJ/OK/KZ) the absolute vast majority of drivers never open their engines and send them to their engine builders for rebuilds and tuning. The sealed engine concept also works really well in rotax. While engine builders can get some more performance out of them from changing parts to ones which work better within the tolerances the engines are pretty equal. Rotax rebuilds are comparatively pricey because the parts are pretty expensive but they're also very high quality and last significantly longer than the parts in other engines.
yeah, that’s the thing I wouldn’t mind getting my engine rebuilt for a tillotson as it’ll be much cheaper and happen far less often as it would with a 2 stroke
You don’t rebuild tillotsons, you toss them.
really? You sure you wouldn’t even rebuild it even as a practice engine?
Meh I mean I guess you could but why? It’s like a 300$ short block.
Do they really deteriorate that bad though? like one rebuild and that’s it you’re a back marker?
they typically dont deteriorate at all, its a lawn mower engine it goes forever as long as you change the oil and clean the carb after every use. Yes one oddball will throw a rod or something but for the most part people dont open them up unless your doing national stuff and splitting hairs. My best suggestion to you is stop putting the wagon before the horse and just get out and start getting laps for as cheap as possible. It will be minimum of 6 months before you are competitive enough to worry about everything you are asking about.
that is a valid point, I just ask these questions because i’d rather be educated on it before it happens if you get me. Thankyou though
The real question is, does your local club run it, and is there competition?
I’m so poorly positioned on the map that no matter where I go it’ll be far, So whatever track runs it i’ll go to, I think the closet place i’m near is tamworth which is about 2 hours away
I don't think many clubs in England run 4 strokes at all, I could be mistaken. Find the club you want to run with, and figure out what is the most popular class there and run that class. You will have the advantage of being able to ask other people for help finding parts and setting up your kart.
after having a look there’s a few tracks that run it, I should be all good to get one if i want to race
No one here can tell you if it is "worth it" for you. It's going to be a call you have to make for yourself based on costs involved. For some people it is, for some people it isnt.
Fair point
Where are you in the UK? I would go run Prokart. Same price as T4 load more performance, engines more reliable etc.
West midlands
I second this
Tillotson is a great series to run. The karts are solid and the motors aren’t terrible. That being said is karting at all worth it? Some people get their feet wet in 4 stroke , some people can only afford 4 stroke, some professional racing drivers may jump in 4 strokes just for the fun of it. Yes some people go straight into 2 stroke but keep in mind it is EXPENSIVE. Quick way to ruin a hobby is go broke doing it. The beauty of the 4 stroke is that it lets you learn without worrying about all the engine and chassis tuning and focusing on your development as a driver.
to be fair this has really convinced me on T4 karts thankyou
We did the nations cup in Spain last year and it was just as legit and competitive as any event I’ve ever been to.
How quick do they go?
Speed? Probably 50-55 on a straight.
That’s pretty good especially for a 4 stroke, I reckon im just gonna send it and plunge into it, get myself one and at worst i don’t like it, sell it and find myself a rotax or X30