Swapping to an 8:1 gear set can increase a cart's top speed by approximately 5–8 mph . Common Upgrades for Performance
This is a specific gear ratio . Standard golf cart gears are typically around 12.44:1. An 8:1 ratio is considered a "mid-range" high-speed gear that offers a significant boost in top-end speed while retaining more climbing torque than faster 6:1 gears.
This refers to the gear set (input shaft and gears) inside the transaxle.
In the context of upgrading a golf cart (such as an EZGO or Club Car) for performance: