Electric Club Car Speed Upgrade: Unleash the Bandit Performance in Your Ride

Is your electric Club Car lacking in speed and torque? Upgrade to the legendary Bandit motor upgrade from Plum Quick Motors and experience a dramatic transformation in your golf cart’s performance. Get ready to leave slow speeds behind and enjoy a significant boost in both speed and low-end power.

Bandit Upgrades: Examples of Enhanced Electric Club Car Performance

The Bandit upgrade is designed to maximize the performance of your existing motor. Here are some examples of the speed and torque increases you can expect after a Bandit upgrade:

Bandit upgraded Club Car 48 volt IQ GE brand motor: Expect speeds around 22 – 24 mph (estimated) with a 25+% increase in low-end torque. Regen braking is also disabled for smoother performance. All with stock components!

Bandit PH upgraded Club Car 48 volt IQ AMD brand motor (for Excel controllers): Achieve speeds of approximately 26 – 28 mph (estimated) while maintaining stock components and disabling regen braking.

Bandit upgraded EZ-GO 36 volt PDS AMD brand motor: Increase your speed to around 22 – 24 mph (estimated) and gain a 25% increase in low-end torque, all with your current stock components.
Bandit upgraded EZ-GO 48 volt PDS AMD brand motor: Reach speeds of 24 – 26 mph (estimated) and enjoy a 25% boost in low-end torque using your existing stock components.

Bandit upgraded Club Car 48 volt GE brand series motor: Experience speeds of approximately 18 – 20 mph (estimated) with a 25+% increase in low-end torque, all with stock components.
Bandit upgraded EZ-GO 48 volt DCS AMD brand motor: Increase your speed to 24 -26 mph (estimated) and gain a 25% boost in low-end torque with stock components.

Bandit upgraded EZ-GO 36 volt DCS AMD brand motor: Achieve speeds around 22 -24 mph (estimated) and a 25% increase in low-end torque with stock components.
Bandit upgraded EZ-GO 48 volt series AMD brand motor, stock controller: Expect speeds around 18 – 22 mph (estimated) and a 25+% increase in low-end torque with stock components.

Bandit upgraded EZ-GO 36 volt series AMD brand motor, stock controller: Speeds around 17 – 20 mph (estimated) and a 20+% increase in low-end torque with stock components.
Bandit upgraded Club Car 36 volt GE brand series motor: Speeds around 15 – 18 mph (estimated) and a 20+% increase in low-end torque with stock components. *36 volt ONLY*

Bandit upgraded EZ-GO 36 volt GE brand series motor: Speeds of 15 – 18 mph (estimated) and a 20+% increase in low-end torque with stock components. *36 volts ONLY*

The Legendary “Purple Motor” – Plum Quick Performance

“If you wanna be Quick ……………….. it’s gotta be PLUM QUICK !”

Don’t mistake price for value. Price is what you pay, and VALUE is what you get! Plum Quick’s purple motors are upgraded stock or aftermarket motors that customers send in for speed and torque enhancements.

We strive to keep the Bandit upgrade turnaround time as short as possible, typically around 7 business days once your motor arrives at our shop, depending on our current workload. We will contact you for payment information once your motor is ready to be shipped back.

Important Notes for Bandit Upgrades:

Club Car Compatibility: DC Series or Sepex 10 Spline female motor coupling only.
EZ-GO Compatibility: DC Series or Sepex 19 Spline female motor coupling only.
Motors We Do NOT Upgrade: Hitachi, Fairplay, Zone, Gem, Think, Ruff/Tuff, Star, Tomberlin, FSIP, Baldor, Bad Boy Buggies, Admiral, EMP, Commander; or any double End cap motor male spline or female coupler due to design limitations or obsolete parts.
Application Recommendations: Bandit upgrades on stock motors are NOT recommended for stretch, hunting, or off-road carts. Consider a custom-built motor for these demanding applications.

New Bandit Upgrade Options on D&D Motors

We now offer Bandit Upgrades on both NEW and USED D&D Motors! This upgrade provides approximately a 25% increase in both speed and torque for the standard Bandit price of $250.00 – $285.00.

The Bandit Upgrade Process: Detail and Precision

The Bandit upgrade is more than just a simple modification. It’s a comprehensive process that ensures your motor performs better than new:

Complete Motor Teardown: The motor is completely disassembled.
Cleaning and Inspection: All parts are thoroughly cleaned and inspected for wear or damage.
Motor Case Stripping: The motor case is stripped to bare metal.
Field Coil Testing and Repair: Field coils are rigorously tested and repaired if necessary.
Stud Inspection and Replacement: Field and brush studs are inspected and replaced if needed.
Thread Maintenance: Motor case bolt threads are inspected and chased with a tap to ensure proper fastening.
Brush Holder and Spring Inspection: The brush holder is checked for cracks and loose guides, and brush springs are tested for proper tension, with replacements made as necessary.
Brush Inspection and Seating: Brushes are inspected for lead integrity, cracks, and length, and replaced if needed. They are then seated to remove glazing for optimal commutator contact.
Armature Inspection and Testing: The armature is examined for weak, lifted, or damaged commutator bars.
Commutator Machining/Polishing: The commutator is machined or polished to guarantee proper brush seating and maximum surface contact for peak performance.
Coupler Inspection: The motor coupler is inspected for excessive wear (couplers are not replaced).
Armature Balancing and Bearing Installation: The armature is high-speed balanced for smooth acceleration and vibration-free high-speed operation. A high-quality bearing is then installed.
Motor Reassembly with Performance Enhancements: The motor is reassembled with every part inspected, tested, cleaned, and painted. During reassembly, our signature 12-point performance upgrade enhancements are implemented, and a date code is added for warranty tracking.
Dyno Testing: Each motor is rigorously tested on our custom-built dynamometer machines before being prepared for shipping, decals, and boxing.

Additional Costs (If Applicable):

Motor Stud Replacement: $35.00 extra
Motor Brush Replacement: $80.00 extra

*Important Application Note:* Bandit motors (upgraded stock motors) are not designed for Hunting carts, Off-Road carts, Stretched carts, pulling heavy loads, or carts running tires taller than 22”.

The Result: Superior Performance

Due to the comprehensive Bandit upgrade process, these motors are not just rebuilt; they are enhanced to be better than brand new. They boast a higher horsepower rating, delivering significantly increased torque and speed while working seamlessly with all other stock components in your electric Club Car or EZ-GO.

Controller and Field Map Notes:

Stock Field Map Retention: All stock EZ-GO DCS and PDS motors, Club Car Regen I, Regen II, IQ, and Excel motors upgraded to the Bandit maintain their original factory field map settings.
Aftermarket Motor Upgrades: If you send in an aftermarket motor for a Bandit upgrade intended for EZ-GO DCS/PDS or Club Car Regen I/II/IQ/Excel systems, the original manufacturer’s field map setting should be used if you decide to upgrade the controller.

Versatility:

We can perform the Bandit upgrade on all Club Car and EZ-GO 36 volt and 48 volt, Series and Sepex DC brush motors, as well as any compatible aftermarket motors.

Payment and Motor Return Policy:

Payment Timeline: Customers have 30 days to make payment after being notified that their upgraded motor is ready to ship.
Unpaid Motors: Motors not paid for within 30 days of notification may be sold by Plum Quick to recover upgrade costs.
Unrepairable Motors: If your motor is deemed unrepairable or unsuitable for upgrade, you have 30 days to arrange return shipping at your expense. After 30 days, Plum Quick reserves the right to recycle the motor.

Identifying Your Motor Type: Series vs. Sepex

Understanding your cart’s motor type is crucial for proper upgrades and maintenance. Here’s how to identify Series and Sepex motors:

Series Motors:

Forward/Reverse Switch: Large lever for forward and reverse.
Tow/Run Switch: None.
Field Windings: Large gauge wire with 8 turns or less in most cases.

Sepex Motors:

Forward/Reverse Switch: Push-button rocker switch for forward and reverse.
Tow/Run Switch: Present.
Field Windings: Small gauge wire with multiple turns.

Regen Braking Note: Sepex motors upgraded to the Bandit will lose the regenerative braking feature.

Performance Expectations:

36 volt Series carts: Bandit upgrade alone should yield approximately a 20% increase in both overall torque and speed.
48 volt Series carts: Bandit upgrade alone should provide a 25+% increase in both overall torque and speed.
36 volt EZ-GO Sepex carts (DCS or PDS): Bandit upgrade alone should result in about a 25% increase in both overall torque and speed.
48 volt Club Car Sepex carts (Regen I, II, IQ): Bandit upgrade alone should deliver around a 25% increase in both overall torque and speed.

DCS vs. PDS Motors (EZ-GO):

DCS Motor: No speed sensor (no wire pigtail on the brush end).
PDS Motor: Has a speed sensor (wire pigtail on the brush end).

Club Car Controller Notes:

Club Car DS (IQ) models: Black controller, standard Bandit IQ upgrade compatible.
Club Car Precedent models: Can have black IQ, gray, or white Excel controllers. Provide the first 4 digits of your cart ID for the best Bandit upgrade recommendation.

Battery Health is Crucial:

A high-quality battery pack is essential to realize the full potential of your Bandit upgraded motor. Plum Quick Motors recommends Trojan batteries for their superior performance and longevity.

Battery Maintenance: Check your batteries monthly and maintain the electrolyte level 1/8″ above the plates using distilled water. Always charge your batteries after each use and never let them sit uncharged for over a month.

Battery Voltage Drop Test:

The best way to assess your battery pack’s health is to perform a running voltage drop test using an inexpensive voltmeter.

Connect the Voltmeter: Connect the red lead to the positive (+) terminal of your battery pack and the black lead to the negative (-) terminal.
Secure the Leads: Use zip ties or clips to keep the leads in place while driving.
Set the Meter: Set your voltmeter to read DC volts on a scale appropriate for your pack voltage.
Drive and Observe: Drive the cart and observe the voltage reading. You will see a voltage drop upon acceleration.
Analyze Voltage: At full speed on level ground, the voltage should return to or near full pack voltage (36V for 36V system, 48V for 48V system). Significant voltage drops indicate weak or bad battery cells.

Remember, a battery pack is only as strong as its weakest battery. Replace weak batteries promptly and always replace batteries within a pack with batteries of similar brand and age. Never mix new batteries with old ones.

Other Performance Factors:

Brake Drag: Ensure brakes are not dragging. The cart should roll freely on flat ground when brakes are released.
Tire Pressure: Maintain proper tire inflation of 25 – 30 psi.

Motor Core Exchange Option:

If your current motor is beyond repair, or if you need a core motor for the Bandit upgrade, Plum Quick Motors may have suitable cores in stock for an additional $200.00 (plus the Bandit upgrade cost of $250.00 – $285.00). Contact us at 1-803-548-7205 to check core availability.

Club Car and EZ-GO Identification Charts

Use these charts to help identify your Club Car and EZ-GO models:

Throttle System Checks:

Club Car V-Glide: Ensure the wiper arm makes full contact with the last copper contact at 100% throttle. Adjust linkage if necessary.

Club Car MCOR Throttle: Verify the MCOR is sending 100% throttle signal at full pedal. IQ carts have a port for diagnostic programmers to check settings.
EZ-GO ITS (Inductive Throttle System): Ensure proper ITS adjustment for 100% throttle at full pedal (1994 – current models).

EZ-GO Plugger Rod: Ensure the plugger rod protrudes approximately 1/8″ to guarantee full throttle.

Maximize Performance with Synthetic Gear Oil:

For optimal performance, replace your rear-end fluid with high-grade synthetic motor oil.

Increasing Torque (Series Motors):

AMD Thick Can Housing (36V/48V): Upgrade to a 500 amp controller for increased torque.
GE Thin Can Housing (36V): Stick with stock components.
GE Thin Can Housing (48V): Higher amp controller is acceptable.

*Sales Tax:* South Carolina residents, please add 8% sales tax.

Navitas Controller Upgrade Option:

*Navitas TSX 3.0 DC Controller Kit EZ-G0/Club Car/Yamaha Series/Shunt* (Free Shipping)

600 W/OTF: $850.00 (Originally $999.00)
440 W/OTF: $750.00 (Originally $899.00)

Note: Heavy-duty forward and reverse switches are not required for Sepex carts.

Motor Testing Before Shipping

If your motor is not currently running, perform a simple motor test before sending it in for the Bandit upgrade to avoid unnecessary shipping costs for an irreparable motor.

Motor Test for Series Carts:

Lift Rear Wheels: Jack up the rear of the cart to lift the wheels off the ground. Ensure wheels turn freely by hand.
Disconnect Motor Wires: Mark and disconnect all four motor wires.
Use 12V Battery: Use a fully charged 12V car battery and 6-gauge jumper cables.
Apply Power: Connect the jumper cables to the motor leads and the 12V battery (see diagram below). A small arc will occur, and the wheels should turn slowly. Direction doesn’t matter for this test.

Motor Test for Sepex Carts:

Lift Rear Wheels: As above.
Disconnect Motor Wires & Isolate Battery Pack: Mark and disconnect all four motor wires after isolating the main battery pack (disconnect positive and negative cables). This prevents controller damage.
Use 12V Battery: As above.
Apply Power: As above.

Important: Tow/Run Switch & Battery Isolation (Sepex Carts)

If sending in a Sepex motor for upgrade, always flip the Tow/Run switch to “Tow” and isolate the battery pack (disconnect + and – cables) as shown in the diagrams below to prevent controller damage during motor removal and installation.

Battery Pack Layout Diagrams:

Sending Your Motor for Bandit Upgrade: Step-by-Step

Packaging: Box your motor securely in a sturdy cardboard box with ample packing material to protect the motor studs and prevent armature damage during shipping.
Include a Note: Place a note inside the box with the following information:
- Your Name
- Shipping Address
- Phone Number
- For Club Car IQ carts: Include the first four digits of your cart ID number.

Turnaround Time: We aim for a quick turnaround, typically around seven business days once your motor is received, depending on workload. We will contact you for payment once your upgraded Bandit motor is ready to ship back.

*Bandit Upgrade Price:* $250.00 – $285.00

Ship your motor via UPS or FedEx to:

Plum Quick Motors
8775 Henry Harris Road
Fort Mill, SC 29707

Installing Your Bandit Upgraded Motor: Key Tips

Coupler Bumper: Do not add a bumper to the motor coupler upon return. We dyno-test each motor and determine coupler bumper needs during testing.
Spline Shaft Preparation: Wire brush the rear end output spline shaft and apply a light coat of white lithium grease before sliding the motor onto the shaft. Slide it on fully until the motor housing meets the rear end housing.
Motor Bolt Tightening: Align and tighten the motor bolts to secure the motor to the rear end housing.
Cable Connection – Two Wrench Method: When reconnecting motor cables, always use two wrenches: one to hold the nut near the motor housing stationary and the other to tighten the cable lug nut. This prevents damage by spinning the motor stud.

Motor Rotation Correction:

If your cart runs in reverse when in forward or vice versa after installing the Bandit motor:

Series Carts: Swap the S1 and S2 motor leads.
Sepex Carts: Isolate the battery pack and swap the F1 and F2 motor leads.

Test drive after swapping leads. If issues persist, contact us at 1-803-548-7205.

High-Speed Gears Note: High-speed gears are generally not recommended for carts with the Bandit upgrade.

Motor Temperature Monitoring for Longevity:

Motor temperature is critical for motor lifespan. Plum Quick Motors recommends using an inexpensive Infrared Temperature Gun to monitor the motor case temperature (painted motor case). Aim for a temperature of 190 degrees F or less. Avoid operating above 190 degrees F to prevent winding and armature shellac breakdown, which can lead to motor failure.

Warranty Information:

All Bandit motors are guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship for one year from the date of purchase from Plum Quick Motors. Motors returned for warranty are subject to manufacturer inspection, and the customer is responsible for shipping costs both ways.

Warranty Exclusions (No Exceptions):

Armature Stalling: Pedal depressed with wheels not turning.
Incorrect Voltage: Operating under low or high voltage conditions.
Exceeding RPM Limit: Running full throttle downhill or with no load (cart on jack stands).
Prolonged High Amp Draw: Towing, heavy loads, steep hills.
High-Speed Gears: Use with high-speed gears.
Oversized Tires: Running tires taller than 22″ with a stock controller.
Speed Sensor/Magnet: No warranty on speed sensors or magnets for Sepex motors.