Upgrading from a 97 cougar 550 carb to a 98-2000 ZR or ZL 600efi - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

syncmaster15gli · 10-05-2006, 03:30 PM

Hi, snow is coming and I am looking to upgrade my sled...What I have is a 97 cougar 550 carb and I want to buy a 98-2001 ZR or ZL 600 efi?.......Are there any years that I should stay away from?..I know about the stator problems in 98 and 99 but that's not a problem.......Any help would be great!........thanks in advance!

IndianRvrShiver · 10-05-2006, 07:01 PM

Hope you know you're talkin' about, different tank, wiring harnesses & you'll need a computer, as well!!

If your doing a sled-to-sled swap it might not be too bad...

BC_Dan · 10-05-2006, 08:26 PM

I think he is moving up to the EFI sled, not swapping... hard to tell...

If so, the batteryless EFI is a LOT better than the older type with batteries, and the newer suspensions are way more forgiving and have more travel.

syncmaster15gli · 10-05-2006, 10:03 PM

Yeah, I meant that I want to buy a sled from 98-2000, either a ZR or ZL efi.....Are their any problems with these models?..........thanks

**RJ Gleason** · 10-05-2006, 10:25 PM

The EFI will be more maintance free for the engine.

IndianRvrShiver · 10-05-2006, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syncmaster15gli

Yeah, I meant that I want to buy a sled from 98-2000, either a ZR or ZL efi.....Are their any problems with these models?..........thanks

Doh!!

I misunderstood your statement

...............if that's the case, forget everything I wrote!!

syncmaster15gli · 10-08-2006, 10:14 PM

There must be some more opinions out there....Snow's a coming.......thanks

**RJ Gleason** · 10-09-2006, 02:05 AM

I have a '93 with 700efi and it is extreamly reliable. Always easy to start too.

syncmaster15gli · 11-06-2006, 04:17 PM

Were there any problems with the 00-01 Zr or Zl 600 efi series?

grouly925 · 11-06-2006, 05:21 PM

the only problem I ever had with my 2000 zr 600 efi was the throttle safety switch. i thought there was something majorly wrong for about 3 months until someone suggested i unplug this. another thing is the 2001 was the first year with power valves and they have a little more HP due to this. my friends 2001 zr 600 efi was a bit faster than mine through the mid range.

D&D800 · 11-07-2006, 09:41 PM

Owning a 97 Cougar 550 and a 00 ZR600EFI I would keep the Cougar. Don't get me wrong the ZR is a step up from the Cougar but the Cougar is kinda a sleeper IMO and very reliable. The rear suspension is almost the same (different shocks and stiffer springs which can be changed) and the front is a touch wider on the ZR's with stiffer shocks and springs. If your looking for more performance tune the clutch on the Cougar, you will surprise a lot of sleds with it and I know it handles great even with the tall piston port engine. Plus the Cougar seems to be better on MPG's. If you want to get a newer sled keep the Cougar a few more years and get into a F series sled.

syncmaster15gli · 11-08-2006, 03:15 PM

Awesome responses guys........thanks very much!

syncmaster15gli · 11-08-2006, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D&D800

Owning a 97 Cougar 550 and a 00 ZR600EFI I would keep the Cougar. Don't get me wrong the ZR is a step up from the Cougar but the Cougar is kinda a sleeper IMO and very reliable. The rear suspension is almost the same (different shocks and stiffer springs which can be changed) and the front is a touch wider on the ZR's with stiffer shocks and springs. If your looking for more performance tune the clutch on the Cougar, you will surprise a lot of sleds with it and I know it handles great even with the tall piston port engine. Plus the Cougar seems to be better on MPG's. If you want to get a newer sled keep the Cougar a few more years and get into a F series sled.

What can i do to "tune the clutch"...Please be specific...........thanks

**RJ Gleason** · 11-09-2006, 07:14 AM

to tune the clutch, you need to know what type of performance modificationj you want to achieve. It is as simple as changing the spring and or weights, or as complicated as rocket science with the power curves and torque tables.

If you want a speed gain, consult with your dealer or someone that you know who has done this already. Generally you want to get a higher engagement rpm and that will give you a topend gain.

aczr600efi · 11-09-2006, 07:40 PM

Ive been a cat guy for years and I currently own 3 of them, one being a 01 zr 600 efi. I bought it used with 2000 miles on it and after the third month of owning it, a bearing went out on the crankshaft. No problem, I bought a wrecked sled of the same type, replaced the motor and rode it the next year. After two months into the next season it began to run like crap and Ive had problems with it ever since. Awesome power and comfortable riding for sure, but I would hold on to your cougar and get an f series or crossfire.

D&D800 · 11-09-2006, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syncmaster15gli

What can i do to "tune the clutch"...Please be specific...........thanks

Well if I remember right the 97 Cougar came with 50.5 gram weights, red drive spring, 49 degree helix, and a yellow seconday spring. I would move up to a yellow/green drive spring and bump the weights up to 51.5 area. You can buy a complete kit for that seld for about $150 but the parts listed above are about $50. You could also try a multi-angle helix. I only messed with the drive clutch on my Cougar but is was a noticable difference. I had guys on ZRT600, MXZ 670, XC600, etc.. asking me what I had done to it. The only thing I did was one jet size down over stock, yellow green spring, and the weights. To this day I still wish I had my 97. Hope some of this info helps out.

syncmaster15gli · 11-09-2006, 10:54 PM

Yes that's exactly what I am going to do!!...thanks to all who replied and thanks D7D800!.......Happy Sledding and hope for snow!

syncmaster15gli · 11-16-2006, 05:54 PM

With the yellow green spring and the 51.5g weights, is this gonna put quite a strain on my engine because it will cause it to rev higher?

D&D800 · 11-16-2006, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syncmaster15gli

With the yellow green spring and the 51.5g weights, is this gonna put quite a strain on my engine because it will cause it to rev higher?

The added weight will help with belt slippage (loss of HP to the track) during upshift and the yellow/green spring might raise rpms slightly on take off but the added weight of the cam arms will help keep the rpms where they need to be (as added weight lowers rpms) and give you more shift out, atleast that's the theory, it squeezes the belt tighter allowing for more top end providing the spacing will allow in the primary (you can check this with a sharpie on your primary). If you need to you can adjust your peak rpms slightly with your secondary spring. You want your rpms as close to 8000-8100 as possible.