UK Karting - Notice Board (Combined Forum) : Re: Looking to get back into karting

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Re: Looking to get back into karting - isTKM worth
Posted by 'SimonS' on 06 Nov 2008 @ 21:17

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SimonSJoined: December 2004
Total Posts: 4
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The main difference between TKM and Formula Blue is teh initial cost. In Formula Blue you need to buy the Radiator / pump and the powerbox. But you only have to buy them once.

Engines, even secondhand are usually more expensive than a TKM second hand. A Blue new is about Ł850 without the accessories.

Nominally they are about the same to run. The tyres are a bit softer but there are people who put between 15 and 20 heats on the tyres....and those who claim they are worn out after a single days racing.

If things go wrong (and there are two areas of weakness, the starter motor and the powerbox, it can be expensive. However the usual failure in the starter is a wire loose on a brush and you can buyt the repair kit for Ł10. Powerbox failures happen but the quality seems to be getting better and teh new powerbox is hidden out of the rain under the nassau panel (the old one was out by a pod and needed a little rainjacket when it rained.).

Otherwise it seems a fairly reliable engine which lasts at least as long as the TKM between rebuilds. (Nominally, like the Rotax it's a 50 hour engine but it's probably closer to 20 hours between major overhauls if you want to push it hard and wise racers will inspect and replace bits more often than that).

Of course, since it doesn't have a seal, you can do the work yourself.

You do need to buy a temperature guage, to make sure that your coolant system is working.

At 12.5 stone you would be on a grey restrictor (between 73 and 83 kg driver weight) but at least the system does seem to work. If you are just over the 83kg mark you can race on the standard engine with a blue restrictor or a Maxi engine with a Green restrictor.

You will find it difficult to find a secondhand Maxi engine though!

It's difficult to compare the Blue, the TKM and the Rotax 177 because the tyres are so different and the Rotax has the powervalve. But having raced against both classes, (I race Blue) they are close. Really it depends on the standard of the drivers. Some you can get to and some you can't.

Message Thread:

Looking to get back into karting - isTKM worth it? by 'rodgers' (05 Nov 2008 @ 13:29)

Re: Looking to get back into karting - isTKM worth by 'DavyBoy' (05 Nov 2008 @ 14:00)

Re: Looking to get back into karting - isTKM worth by 'chriskasch' (05 Nov 2008 @ 14:13)

Re: Looking to get back into karting - isTKM worth by 'buzzinrussell' (05 Nov 2008 @ 14:23)

Re: Looking to get back into karting - isTKM worth by 'chriskasch' (05 Nov 2008 @ 14:43)

Re: Looking to get back into karting - isTKM worth by 'owenjenman' (06 Nov 2008 @ 9:52)

Re: Looking to get back into karting - isTKM worth by 'rodgers' (06 Nov 2008 @ 17:35)

Re: Looking to get back into karting - isTKM worth by 'SimonS' << You are here!

Re: Looking to get back into karting - isTKM worth by 'QuickOldTimer' (06 Nov 2008 @ 20:48)

Re: Looking to get back into karting - isTKM worth by 'rodgers' (07 Nov 2008 @ 7:52)

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