Yes, you can take the governor off a golf cart, but the method depends entirely on whether your golf cart is electric or gas-powered, and the specific year and model of the cart. Removing or disabling the governor is a common way people try to achieve a golf cart speed upgrade.
Why People Want to Remove the Golf Cart Governor
Most golf carts come from the factory with a speed limiter, known as a governor. This device keeps the cart running at a safe, slow speed, usually between 12 and 15 mph. This speed limit is often required for use in planned communities, retirement villages, or on private property where carts are classified as Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs) or Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs).
However, many owners want more speed for trails, larger properties, or simply faster transport. They look for ways to disable golf cart speed limiter mechanisms. This desire often leads them to seek information on golf cart governor removal or installing a golf cart speed chip.
This post will guide you through the general processes for both electric and gas carts, focusing on safety and legal considerations.
Legal and Safety Caveats Before You Start
Before touching any wires or engine parts, you must know the rules. Modifying your golf cart to go faster can have serious consequences.
- Check Local Laws: In many places, carts are only street-legal up to a certain speed. If you boost speed above that limit, you might break traffic laws.
- Insurance Issues: Higher speeds might void your insurance coverage if you get into an accident.
- Warranty Voided: Any modification like this will almost certainly void any existing warranty on your cart.
- Component Stress: Faster speeds put more strain on the batteries, motor, controller, and even the brakes. This can lead to premature failure or dangerous situations if the brakes cannot stop the cart quickly enough.
Electric Golf Cart Governor Removal Process
Electric golf carts use electronic controls to limit speed. There is no physical, mechanical governor like you find on a gas engine. To increase the speed on an electric cart, you typically need to adjust the programming or swap out a component.
Locating the Speed Control Mechanism
The speed control on modern electric carts is managed by the Electronic Speed Controller (ESC). This is the cart’s brain.
1. Accessing the Controller
The controller is usually located under the seat, often near the batteries or the tow/run switch. You will need to lift the seat or remove a protective panel to see it.
2. Identifying the Adjustment Method
Electric carts usually limit speed in one of three ways:
- The Programmer: Newer, high-end carts (like high-end EZ-GO, Club Car, or Yamaha models) often require a specific handheld programmer tool purchased from the dealer or a specialty shop. This tool plugs into a diagnostic port on the controller. You then input a new top speed limit. This is the safest and most common way for high-end models.
- Physical Jumper Wires/Switches: Older or simpler carts sometimes have jumper wires or small DIP switches directly on the controller housing. Consult your cart’s manual to see if these exist. Changing the position of these jumpers can unlock higher performance settings or even toggle between different speed modes (like “Tow/Run” vs. “High Speed”).
- The Speed Chip (Aftermarket Solution): Some aftermarket companies sell what they call a golf cart speed chip. This device plugs in between the throttle assembly and the main controller. It intercepts the signal from the throttle pedal and sends a modified, stronger signal to the controller, making the cart think the driver is pressing the pedal harder than they are, thus achieving a higher speed. This is a form of golf cart tuning.
Bypassing the Governor Electronically
If you are looking to bypass golf cart governor settings without buying a programmer, you might investigate methods like adjusting the solenoid or voltage settings, but this is highly risky.
Warning: Simply increasing the voltage to the motor or bypassing safety switches can quickly burn out your controller or motor. This is not recommended for beginners.
A Note on Throttle Stop Removal
On some electric carts, the pedal assembly itself has a physical stop or linkage that prevents you from depressing the pedal fully. If you find a mechanical golf cart throttle stop removal is possible, carefully remove or adjust the stop so the pedal moves further. This sends a stronger signal to the controller, assuming the controller is not programmed to ignore full pedal input.
| Electric Cart Speed Adjustment Method | Required Tools | Complexity Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Controller Programmer | Specific Brand Tool | Medium | Best for modern carts; requires purchase. |
| Jumper Wire/DIP Switch | Screwdriver, Manual | Low | Only available on certain models. |
| Aftermarket Speed Chip | Wire connectors | Medium | Easy to install but requires purchase. |
| Throttle Stop Adjustment | Wrenches | Low | Only works if the physical stop is the main limiter. |
Gas Golf Cart Governor Removal Process
Gas golf carts—usually powered by small, single-cylinder engines similar to those found in lawnmowers—use a mechanical governor attached directly to the engine. This governor uses centrifugal force (spinning weights) to physically limit the maximum RPM (revolutions per minute) of the engine, which limits top speed.
This type of device is a true golf cart engine limiter. Removing it is a common route for a golf cart performance upgrade.
Identifying the Governor Mechanism
On most common gas golf cart engines (like those from Kawasaki or Robin/Subaru):
- Locate the engine. The governor assembly is usually attached directly to the side of the engine block, often near the carburetor or throttle linkage.
- It will typically have a linkage arm connected to the throttle cable. When the engine speeds up too much, weights inside the governor spin out, moving the linkage arm to close the throttle slightly.
Methods for Gas Governor Removal or Disabling
There are two main approaches for gas carts: disabling it internally or removing the linkage externally.
Method 1: Disabling the Linkage (External)
This is the simplest, non-invasive approach, though it might not yield the maximum speed increase.
- Locate the Linkage: Find the rod or cable that connects the governor arm to the carburetor’s throttle plate.
- Lock the Throttle Open: You need to secure the throttle linkage in the fully open position, bypassing the governor’s control.
- Some mechanics use zip ties, clamps, or small pieces of wire to hold the linkage arm so it cannot move back towards the idle position when the governor tries to activate.
- You must ensure the throttle cable from the gas pedal still moves the linkage freely. The governor should not be able to pull it closed.
- Test Cautiously: Slowly test the cart. If the engine over-revs dangerously, you must immediately stop and re-engage the governor control.
Method 2: Removing the Governor Components (Internal)
This method offers the most comprehensive way to remove speed restrictor golf cart components but requires more mechanical skill.
Disclaimer: Removing internal governor parts means the engine can spin much faster than it was designed to. Damage to valves, pistons, and the bottom end is very likely without proper engine modifications (like lighter valve springs and performance rods).
- Disconnect Linkages: First, disconnect the external throttle linkage arm from the governor housing.
- Remove the Housing Cover: Unbolt the cover plate of the governor assembly. This often exposes the spinning weights or flyweights inside.
- Remove Weights/Gears: Depending on the engine design, you will either remove the weights entirely or replace the gear system with a non-governed replacement gear designed for high-RPM operation. Some people opt to install a spacer block instead of the governor unit if the manufacturer offers one.
- Reinstall and Adjust Throttle: Once the limiting mechanism is gone, you must reinstall the cover (or the spacer block). Now, you must connect the external throttle cable directly to the carburetor linkage, ensuring that pressing the pedal fully opens the throttle plate.
For gas carts, golf cart tuning often involves this removal alongside carburetor adjustments (jetting) and exhaust system upgrades to take full advantage of the increased RPM.
Performance Considerations After Governor Removal
Whether electric or gas, simply removing the governor is often only the first step in achieving true speed gains.
Electric Carts: Controller Limits
For electric carts, the limiting factor shifts from the governor to the controller’s programming or its current rating. If you successfully tell the controller to allow 3000 RPM instead of 2000 RPM, but the controller is only rated for 25 amps, you won’t get much benefit.
To maximize speed after overriding the governor setting, serious modifiers look at:
- Higher Voltage: Moving from 36V to 48V (or 72V on some specialized carts). This requires new batteries, a new high-voltage controller, and sometimes a new motor.
- Higher Amperage Controller: Upgrading the controller to one capable of handling 400 amps instead of 250 amps provides more torque and speed potential.
Gas Carts: Engine Limitations
For gas engines, speed is directly related to engine RPM. If you remove the mechanical limiter, the engine will seek the highest RPM it can safely handle.
- Carburetor: The stock carburetor is usually tuned for fuel economy and low-end torque, not high-speed flow. You will likely need to install a larger main jet or replace the carburetor entirely.
- Exhaust: A less restrictive exhaust helps the engine breathe better at higher speeds.
- Gearing: If you increase the RPM significantly, the engine might produce the same power, but the gearing ratio (differential) might still be too low for high speeds. Changing the axle ratio is a major undertaking but necessary for serious speed increases.
Deciphering Aftermarket Speed Solutions
People often search for quick fixes. Here is a look at common, often misleading, speed enhancement terminology.
What is a Golf Cart Speed Chip?
As mentioned for electric carts, a speed chip is an electronic device. It is not a “chip” in the sense of reprogramming the main computer. Instead, it is an intermediary device.
Function: It reads the input signal from the throttle pedal (which tells the controller how far down the pedal is pressed) and artificially inflates that signal before sending it to the main controller. If your pedal only sends a signal equivalent to 80% throttle travel, the chip might manipulate that signal to read as 100% throttle to the controller, effectively allowing you to reach the controller’s maximum programmed speed potential faster or more easily.
Can I Install a Golf Cart Performance Upgrade Easily?
Some upgrades are easy; others are complex engine swaps.
- Easy: Adjusting external linkages, plugging in a simple speed chip, or using a stock programmer tool.
- Complex: Changing the solenoid, swapping batteries for higher voltage, replacing the entire motor/controller system, or rebuilding the gas engine internals.
Safety Precautions During Golf Cart Tuning
When you are trying to bypass golf cart governor systems, safety must come first.
- Disconnect Batteries: Always disconnect the negative battery cable before touching electrical components on an electric cart.
- Engine Off and Cool: If working on a gas cart, ensure the engine is off and cool. Disconnect the spark plug wire as an extra safety measure when making adjustments near the carburetor or ignition.
- Start Slow: When testing any speed modification, start with very gentle acceleration. Listen for unusual noises (grinding, whining, or knocking) from the engine or motor/controller.
- Check Brakes: Ensure your brakes are in excellent condition. Faster speeds require much greater stopping power. If your brakes were designed for 15 mph, they might fail dangerously at 25 mph.
Comparing Electric vs. Gas Governor Removal
The difficulty and subsequent performance ceiling vary greatly between the two types of carts.
| Feature | Electric Cart Speed Limit Adjustment | Gas Cart Governor Removal |
|---|---|---|
| Limiting Mechanism | Electronic software limit in the Controller (ESC) | Mechanical linkage driven by centrifugal force |
| Primary Method | Programming, Jumper settings, or Chip installation | Disabling external linkage or removing internal weights |
| Risk of Catastrophic Failure | Moderate (Can burn out the controller if voltage is over-ramped) | High (Can cause engine meltdown if RPMs exceed safe limits) |
| Required Skill Level | Basic electrical comfort | Basic to intermediate engine mechanics |
| Performance Ceiling | Limited by the installed controller and motor rating | Limited by engine design (valves, springs, rods) |
For electric carts, the process is often about finding the right command code or module. For gas carts, it’s about overpowering a physical engine safety system. If you only want a slight bump in speed (e.g., from 12 mph to 18 mph), simple external adjustments usually suffice for both types.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does removing the governor void my warranty?
Yes, almost certainly. Manufacturers design speed limiting for safety, longevity, and regulatory compliance. Any alteration to these systems voids the warranty on affected components (motor, controller, batteries, or engine).
Will removing the governor make my electric cart go faster instantly?
Not necessarily. If your controller is programmed to strictly limit output voltage or pulse width modulation (PWM) signals regardless of throttle input, you might not see a speed increase just by adjusting external linkages. You often must reprogram the controller itself.
Is it hard to remove the governor on a Club Car DS (Gas)?
The process involves disconnecting the external throttle linkage and often physically blocking the governor arm from moving, or sometimes removing the internal weights. It requires accessing the engine compartment and being careful not to interfere with the main throttle cable coming from the pedal.
What is the best way to achieve a significant golf cart speed upgrade?
For electric carts, the best approach is often installing a high-voltage system (48V minimum, often 72V) paired with a controller rated for higher amperage (300A+). For gas carts, this involves internal engine work alongside governor removal to handle higher RPMs safely.
Can I get in trouble for removing the speed restrictor golf cart governor?
You can, especially if you plan to use the cart on public roads where speed limits are enforced. If your cart is registered as an LSV and restricted to 20 mph, speeding above that limit is a traffic infraction, just like speeding in a car.
How does a golf cart throttle stop removal affect performance?
If a physical stop limits how far you can press the pedal, removing it allows you to send a stronger, full-range signal to the controller or carburetor. This only works if the governor or controller was the limiting factor responding to that full signal, and not something else limiting the power flow.
Is installing a speed chip the same as proper golf cart tuning?
No. A speed chip is a band-aid solution. Proper golf cart tuning involves adjusting multiple parameters—like acceleration curves, regenerative braking settings (for electric), or fuel/air mixture (for gas)—to create a cohesive performance package. A chip just tricks one input sensor.