Yes, you can take the governor off a golf cart to increase its speed. This process involves golf cart speed limiter removal and often requires golf cart controller modification or making a simple golf cart throttle adjustment. However, you must know the risks and local laws before attempting any disabling golf cart governor procedure.
Why Golf Carts Have Governors
Golf carts are not built for high speed right out of the factory. Manufacturers put governors on them for clear reasons. These devices control how fast the motor can spin. This keeps the cart safe and legal for many uses.
Safety and Stability Concerns
A factory-set speed keeps the cart stable. Faster speeds can make light, short-wheelbase carts handle poorly. Brakes designed for 15 mph may not stop a cart going 25 mph as well. This is a big safety issue.
Legal Requirements and Insurance
In many places, golf carts are street-legal only if they stay below a certain speed limit, often 20 mph. If you increase the speed, your cart might become illegal to drive on public roads. This can also void your insurance coverage.
Component Lifespan
The motor, transaxle, and batteries are designed to last a long time at lower speeds. Increasing golf cart speed puts extra strain on these parts. This means they will wear out faster. You might face expensive repairs sooner than you expect.
Methods for Disabling Golf Cart Governor
There are several ways to achieve an unrestricted golf cart speed. The right method depends on the cart’s type—electric or gas—and its specific electronics. Always check your cart’s manual first.
Electric Carts: The Electronic Control Point
Most modern electric carts use an electronic speed control system. The governor function is usually part of the controller unit. Golf cart performance upgrade often involves telling the controller to ignore the speed limit.
The Speed Setting Jumper or Switch
Some controllers have an easy-to-access setting. This is often a small jumper wire or a switch located on the controller box itself.
- Locate the Controller: This is usually under the seat or near the batteries.
- Find the Speed Setting: Look for pins labeled “Forward Speed,” “High/Low,” or similar terms. Consult your cart’s specific wiring diagram.
- Change the Setting: Moving a jumper from one pin to another can lift the speed restriction. For example, some Club Car models use specific jumper settings to unlock higher speeds. This is a simple form of golf cart power limiter bypass.
Golf Cart Controller Modification (Advanced)
For deeper speed gains, you might need to change how the controller communicates with the motor.
Telltale Signs of Controller Limitations
If changing jumpers does not work, the speed limit might be hard-coded into the software of the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). This requires specialized tools.
Using Programmers or Handsets
Many high-end or modern carts (like those made after 2000) need a special programming device. Dealers use these tools to change settings.
- Acquire the Programmer: These can be expensive, but sometimes third-party tools are available.
- Connect to the Controller: Plug the device into the diagnostic port.
- Adjust Parameters: You can often change settings like “Maximum Throttle Percentage,” “Field Weakening,” or “Speed Setting.” This is a fine way of tuning golf cart motor output limits.
Caution: Incorrectly programming the controller can “brick” it, making it useless until professionally reset.
Gas Carts: Mechanical Adjustments
Gas-powered golf carts usually rely on mechanical governors tied to the engine’s carburetor or throttle linkage. Removing speed restriction on golf cart systems for gas models means adjusting this mechanism.
Adjusting the Throttle Cable
The simplest method involves checking the throttle cable connection.
- Locate the Linkage: Follow the throttle cable from the pedal to the carburetor assembly.
- Check for Stops: Often, there is a physical stop screw or bracket limiting how far the throttle plate can open.
- Re-adjust: Carefully reposition the stop bracket or lengthen the cable slightly. This allows the carburetor to open wider, giving the engine more fuel and air, thus increasing golf cart speed.
Modifying the Mechanical Governor Unit
The governor itself is a centrifugal device designed to limit engine RPM. Tampering with it is tricky.
- Internal Adjustment: Some older mechanical governors allow you to adjust the spring tension or weights inside. Tighter springs allow higher RPMs before the governor kicks in. This directly affects unrestricted golf cart speed.
- Bypassing: Some mechanics physically remove the governor mechanism entirely. This is highly risky, as it removes all protection against over-revving the engine, which can lead to catastrophic engine failure quickly.
The Role of the Golf Cart Throttle Adjustment
Whether electric or gas, fine-tuning the input from your foot pedal is part of achieving maximum speed.
Electric Cart Throttle Progression
In an electric cart, the pedal sends a signal to the controller.
- Full Throttle Signal: If your speed limit is removed, you still need the controller to receive the “100% throttle” signal when you push the pedal all the way down.
- Potentiometer Check: The pedal usually houses a potentiometer (a variable resistor). If it is worn out, it might not send a strong enough signal even when fully pressed. Replacing or adjusting the potentiometer ensures full power delivery. This is critical for a proper golf cart performance upgrade.
Gas Cart Cable Tension
For gas engines, the cable tension directly relates to throttle opening. A properly adjusted golf cart throttle adjustment ensures the carburetor opens fully when the pedal hits the floor. A loose cable means you are never truly at wide-open throttle.
Upgrading Components for True Speed Gains
Simply removing the governor often hits a ceiling. If the cart was limited to 12 mph, removing the governor might get it to 18 mph, but not 25 mph, because other parts are holding it back. To see substantial increasing golf cart speed, component upgrades are necessary.
Upgrading the Controller
For electric carts, the stock controller limits amperage output.
- Higher Amperage Controller: Switching to a 300A or 400A controller, for instance, allows the motor to draw more current. More current equals more torque and higher top speed, provided the motor can handle it. This is a key aspect of golf cart controller modification.
- Motor Compatibility: Ensure your new controller matches your motor type (e.g., series vs. AC motor) and voltage (36V, 48V).
Motor Upgrades for Tuning Golf Cart Motor
The motor itself defines the top potential speed.
- High-Speed Windings: Replacing the stock motor with one that has higher speed windings helps significantly. These motors are designed to spin faster for the same voltage input.
- AC vs. DC: Converting from an older DC system to a modern AC system offers huge benefits in efficiency and power, making golf cart speed limiter removal more effective.
Tire Size and Gearing
Tires play a massive, often overlooked role in speed.
The Tire Size Effect
The cart’s speedometer (if it has one) is calibrated for the stock tire size. If you install larger tires:
- True Speed Increase: The cart travels farther with every revolution. A 23-inch tire travels farther than an 18-inch tire at the same motor RPM.
- Speedometer Error: Your speedometer will read slower than your actual speed. If you increase the speed limit but keep the small tires, the cart feels faster but might not show a big jump on the dial.
| Stock Tire Diameter (Inches) | New Tire Diameter (Inches) | Speed Increase (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | 22 | 22% |
| 18 | 23 | 28% |
Gearing Adjustments
Gas carts and many high-performance electric carts have gear ratios in the transaxle.
- Speed Gearing: To prioritize speed over acceleration and hill-climbing ability, you can install “speed gears.” These gears change the final drive ratio to allow for higher top speed at the cost of slower take-off. This is serious tuning golf cart motor hardware.
Electrical Considerations for Golf Cart Performance Upgrade (Electric Carts)
When you bypass the governor, you demand more power. The entire electrical system must cope with the increased load of disabling golf cart governor.
Battery Bank Capacity and Voltage
More speed requires more power draw.
- Voltage Jump: The easiest electric golf cart power limiter bypass is often to upgrade the system voltage. Moving from a 36V system to a 48V system (using compatible batteries, charger, and controller) significantly boosts performance without changing the motor itself, as the motor spins faster at higher voltage.
- Battery Quality: Stock batteries might sag voltage heavily under high current draw. High-quality, deep-cycle batteries, or lithium-ion packs, can maintain voltage stability, ensuring the motor gets the power it needs to maintain high speeds.
Wiring Gauge
Higher amperage moving through thin wires creates heat and wastes power.
- Thicker Cables: When you perform controller upgrades, you must upgrade the cables connecting the batteries, controller, and motor. Use heavy-gauge cables (like 2-gauge or 4-gauge) to reduce resistance and voltage drop, ensuring all the extra power reaches the motor efficiently.
Legal and Ethical Warnings About Removing Speed Restriction on Golf Cart
This section is crucial. Removing the governor voids the factory warranty and might break local laws.
Warranty Voidance
Any unauthorized modification, especially golf cart controller modification, instantly voids the manufacturer’s warranty on the drive train components. If something breaks after modification, you pay for it.
Liability and Insurance
If you cause an accident while driving an illegally modified cart, your insurance company might refuse to pay. They can argue the cart was not being operated as designed or intended.
Local Ordinances
Before increasing golf cart speed, check with your city or homeowner association (HOA). Many areas have strict rules limiting golf cart travel to paths or roads where speeds are low. A cart going 30 mph might be treated as an unregistered, illegal vehicle.
Step-by-Step Guide: A General Approach to Golf Cart Speed Limiter Removal
This is a generalized approach. Always find the specific guide for your model (e.g., EZ-GO TXT, Club Car DS, Yamaha Drive).
Phase 1: Inspection and Preparation
- Determine Cart Type: Is it electric (DC or AC) or gas?
- Gather Information: Find your cart’s year, make, and model. Look up service manuals online.
- Safety First: Disconnect the main battery pack’s negative cable before touching any wires or components.
- Determine Current Speed: Measure the current top speed accurately using a GPS app on your phone (speedometers can be inaccurate).
Phase 2: Implementing the Speed Bypass
For Electric Carts (Controller Access)
- Locate Controller: Remove the floorboard or seat cover as needed.
- Check for Jumpers: Examine the controller housing for accessible jumpers or dip switches. Consult the manual for the “High Speed” setting. Adjust if necessary.
- Check Throttle Input: If jumpers don’t work, check the function of the speed sensor/potentiometer in the pedal assembly to ensure 100% signal is sent.
For Gas Carts (Mechanical Access)
- Locate Governor: Find the mechanical unit connected to the engine, often near the valve cover or carburetor linkage.
- Throttle Limit Check: See if a simple stop screw limits the throttle plate opening. Adjust it slightly.
- Governor Adjustment: If possible, carefully adjust the tension spring inside the governor housing according to trusted service procedures for tuning golf cart motor RPM limits.
Phase 3: Testing and Iteration (The Golf Cart Performance Upgrade Cycle)
- Reconnect Power: Reconnect the main negative battery cable securely.
- Test at Low Speed: Test the cart slowly in a safe, private area. Check braking response.
- Gradual Increase: If the initial bypass works, you can explore component upgrades if the speed is still too low (e.g., new controller, larger tires). This is where you move from simple disabling golf cart governor to full golf cart performance upgrade.
- Monitor Heat: After running at higher speeds for several minutes, carefully feel the controller, motor, and cables. Excessive heat means the components are overloaded or the wiring gauge is too small.
Comprehending the Trade-Offs in Tuning Golf Cart Motor
When you remove the speed governor, you are trading long-term durability and stock reliability for immediate velocity.
| Feature | Stock Governor Setting | Governor Removed / Upgraded |
|---|---|---|
| Top Speed | Low (12–15 mph) | High (18–30+ mph) |
| Acceleration | Moderate | Often improved (if controller upgraded) |
| Component Life | Long | Reduced |
| Battery Drain (Electric) | Moderate | High |
| Engine Strain (Gas) | Low | High (risk of damage) |
| Insurance/Legality | Compliant | Potential non-compliance |
The Future of Unrestricted Golf Cart Speed: AC Systems
If you are serious about increasing golf cart speed beyond basic adjustments, the best long-term solution is moving to an AC (alternating current) system, common in newer, higher-end models.
AC systems use regenerative braking and far more advanced controllers. When you use an advanced programmer on an AC system, the golf cart power limiter bypass is software-based and integrated with traction control. This allows for much higher, controlled speeds while offering better power management than simple DC systems. While expensive, it is the pinnacle of golf cart controller modification for speed enthusiasts.
FAQ Section
Can I legally remove the governor on my golf cart?
Legality depends entirely on where you live. In private communities or on private property, you usually can. On public streets, if your modification pushes the speed over the posted local limit, it is likely illegal. Always check local traffic ordinances.
Will removing the governor affect my cart’s torque or hill-climbing ability?
If you only bypass the electronic limiter without upgrading the controller or motor, you might notice a slight dip in torque because the motor is being pushed past its ideal operating curve. For major speed gains, you typically need a true golf cart performance upgrade that increases amperage, which usually improves torque alongside speed.
What is the simplest way for golf cart speed limiter removal on an older electric cart?
Look for a small wiring harness or set of jumpers located directly on or near the controller box. Many older (pre-2000s) carts had dedicated switches or wires that could be cut or connected to change the speed setting. This is often the easiest form of disabling golf cart governor.
How do I know if my tires are limiting my unrestricted golf cart speed?
If your motor and controller are running at maximum capacity (high draw, high RPMs), but the cart feels sluggish, check your tire size. If the tires are small, the motor may be hitting its maximum physical RPM limit very quickly because the gear ratio is too high (too much acceleration, not enough top end). Installing larger tires is a simple golf cart throttle adjustment proxy that yields faster results without touching the electronics.
Is golf cart controller modification the same for gas and electric carts?
No. Electric carts rely on electronic controllers (ECUs) which can often be reprogrammed. Gas carts rely on mechanical governors connected to the engine. The procedure for removing speed restriction on golf cart gas models involves adjusting linkages or the mechanical governor itself.