It depends on what kind of kart you have and how you want to adjust the idle.
If you have a kart with the 1/4" rod that goes from the pedal along the frame then you need a cable with a lead ball on each end.
It's impossible to have a cable with a lead ball on each end that goes through an outer housing and is the correct length to connect to the metal rod on the side of the of the chassis and in the carb slide.
Not too many years ago this style kart was the only style of kart you found in 4 cycle racing. Coyote and Bandit to name a few.
It is still dominant in the dirt oval world.
If you are not familiar with this style see the picture of the kart below. Notice the 1/4" rod from the pedal back to the throttle cable connection point.
Here is a picture of one of my throttle linkage kits.
It has slack adjusters so you can eliminate the slack in the cable and adjust the idle
with the nut under the rubber boot on the top of the carb. No need for a screw driver!
You can also back the idle speed screw out far enough so it's not sticking out in the air stream. More air flow = more HP! If you have one of the wimpy throttle linkages that's not so easy to do since they bend everytime you put the pedal to the medal.
They never return to the same place. My linkage is made of heavier material so it doesn't bend!!
If you want to carry a screwdriver in your pocket, well you can imagine what could happen there.
Now that the 2 cycle chassis mfg's have joined the 4 cycle world (or go out of business) the metal rod on the side of the chassis is not nearly as common. However, many of those people use my linkage kit and just love it.
Can you race without any throttle linkage?
Of course, but this is something that can make your life a little bit easier and just a tick faster.
