New guy needing help

I have recently acquired a Craftsman LT1000, think it is 98 model but not for sure. Haven't done a lot to the mower yet but have some things I would like to do. I have put a foot pedal throttle on it and done a little exhaust work to it but right now am looking to do a pulley swap to make it a lil faster and have heard that I need to put a larger pulley on the engine, was wondering if that was right?? and also right now it has the stock double pulley that ran the drive and deck and it looks like it has a bolt on the bottom that hold it on and was wondering like where and what do I need to replace it with?? it looks to have like a 3" on it right now but I don't know if any pulley will work or if it has to be the same kind that is on the transaxle or what? also there is a small pulley, looks like a clutch pulley but its pretty close to the engine pulley now so i don't know if a bigger pulley will fit. don't know if i have to move the clutch pulley or what?..any help will be awesome

I think you can fit a max of 5" on the engine without hitting the clutch.

You can put a 6 motor but it will scrub the clutch. 5 would be best no scrub. The motor pulley is a 1" bore. Tracter supply has a large veriaty of weld pulleys. Find the 1" coller and the pulley that fits it. The trans is a 5/8" bore also at TSC in electric motor section they have small pulleys that work well. I suggest a 1:1 ratio as a first build. 5 on front an 5 on trans. That will give about 12-14 mph. As you first it wont seem very fast but it is on a stock mower. You will also need a belt TSC has good belts. You will need to get pulleys on and mesure for the right belt. But my best guess would be a 91" if thats not right thay will swap it out. Hope this helps. There are lots of forums on here for this. Here
Good luck.

thanks for the help and info. what comes stock on the transaxle? I wasn't going to tackle changing that one till I tear it out to lock the transaxle so both tires pull.. was going to just change the engine pulley for now.. so how do I install the 5in pulley from tsc?? the pulleys on there now bolt on

You take the bolt off and slide off the pulley, you may need pullers and even to heat up the pulley with a butane torch if its severely rust welded to the shaft. Then all you do is slide the new pulley onto the shaft, make sure the key and keyway are lined up, and bolt 'er up!

depending on what kind of pully you get, you MAY have to get a weld-in hub for it. not likely, but keep that in mind if you dont have a welder

You will need a peice of 1/4 x1/4 key stock. And the coller has 2 set screws. To hold it in place. But a bolt shorter and a washer to hold it on under that would help. The trans pulley is not that much trouble to do if it comes off easy. So you would be time ahead to go ahead an do it.

the pulleys on the shaft are welded so im guessing I will have to cut the pulleys off the stock shaft then weld the new pulley on to the stock shaft?.. again thanks for all the help guys