Hello everyone,
My name is Kevin, I attend the University of Central Florida. Our SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) is working on a baja car for competition this year up in Monrtreal Canada. We are starting the design phase.
We are given a a 10hp engine and regulated to 3600rpm and we basically build an entire baja car out of it.

Gears vs Chain - What we are discussing/researching now is how to transfer the power from the enine to the gear box and then to the wheels. In years past we have used a CVT from the engine to the gear box. In the gear box we have used sun gears to reduce the rpm. And then run a chain to the rear axel to spin the wheels. We have thought about using a chain inside the gear box aswell, aswell as using gears in both the gear box and from the gear box to the wheels. Keep in mind this vehicle does have to go deep water and float across. What we really need to know are pro's/con's to using chains or gears to transfer the power.

CVT - the particular CVT we are running operates best at 4800rpm, we are restricted to 3600. So we have to mod it in some way for optimun performance. I don't know any specifics on the CVT, but if you know how to mod one for performance, we would be very interested in hearing from you.

I know many more details would be needed for our specific application, but if there are any generalities, we'd be very interested in hearing. Keep in mind this is only a 10hp engine.

Thank for your time.
Thankyou in Advance.

I assume the cvt your using is just a flyweight type clutch on the engine, comet? that has a chain drive to the gearbox. No torque sensing secondary clutch I presume?

If the clutch is calibrated for 4800 (doesn't mean anything until you test with it) and want it to run at 3600 you'll have to add weight to the flyweights. If it was a sled clutch I'd say 1 gram for every 100rpm, you might go 1/2 that and see how it runs then fine tune. Add weight untill your "breaking it's back at 34-3500" than back off to 3600. If you have access to springs for the clutch a combination of real heavy springs and heavy flyweights will probably work the best for your application.

Ok i'm dumb. I just hit "report" and typed a reply....crap. Sorry about that.

Yes its a flyweight clutch. From the CVT to the gear box is just a shaft and no secondary clutch. What do yo mean by "breaking its back" at 34-3500 rmp? Thanks for the info. Some one else recommended using a sheaves drive? Do you know anything about them? Supposedly of an auto atv.

We appreciate the input, I'll try to find out some more on the CVT. Thanks.