Motor swap 1996 550 Cougar - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Muchco · 10-29-2007, 09:34 AM

Hi, I am new to your forum and this is my first post.
I am looking to replace the motor is my sisters 1996 Artic Cat 550 cougar. I have located a couple of good used motors but neither is a 550. One is a 580 out of a 1996 ZR and the other is a 440 out of a 1994 ZR. Of these two engines, which one if either would be the most straight forward transplant (eg. motor mounts, wiring etc). I thank you in advance for your help and cooperation.

Regards, Muchco

tamacat · 10-29-2007, 10:05 AM

I would think the 580 would be the better fit of the two.

Muchco · 10-29-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tamacat

I would think the 580 would be the better fit of the two.

Thanks for the response, I'm to the understanding that I can use the igntion components from the current engine. This being the case the wiring should not be an issue. It's also been suggested that I should use the exhaust from the 580 for sure. I have been told that I could get away with the 550 carbs with a little tuning but the 40mm carbs off the 580 would be better. Any additional thoughts?

Regards, Maury

**smallengineguy** · 10-29-2007, 05:41 PM

Get anything you possible can that came wit hthe 580. The more parts that go with it, the better off you are.

Muchco · 10-29-2007, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smallengineguy

Get anything you possible can that came wit hthe 580. The more parts that go with it, the better off you are.

Thanks very much for the response.

kccats · 10-30-2007, 09:27 AM

First welcome to the snow show! The 580 is a very good engine, but it would only have 38mm carbs and I'm not sure the ignition or the electrical is the same? I would use the stator, flywheel and the cdi out of the 580 as well as the pipe!

Muchco · 10-30-2007, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kccats

First welcome to the snow show! The 580 is a very good engine, but it would only have 38mm carbs and I'm not sure the ignition or the electrical is the same? I would use the stator, flywheel and the cdi out of the 580 as well as the pipe!

Thanks for the welcome and information. I have been told by the person selling the motor that the stator, flywheel and cdi are the same on the 550 and 580. Can anyone verify this for sure? I could get these parts with the motor but don't want to buy them if the ones I have off the 550 will work. If I make the swap I can get the 580 exhaust. The 580 was an EFI therefore I would have to go with the 36mm carbs for now.

**RJ Gleason** · 10-30-2007, 11:34 AM

If the 580 is and EFI. get everything (wiring harness and ECU) and keep it EFI. It will perform better that way.

Muchco · 10-30-2007, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ Gleason

If the 580 is and EFI. get everything (wiring harness and ECU) and keep it EFI. It will perform better that way.

That was my thought but the EFI components have already been sold. Thanks for the response.

**smallengineguy** · 10-30-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muchco

Thanks for the welcome and information. I have been told by the person selling the motor that the stator, flywheel and cdi are the same on the 550 and 580. Can anyone verify this for sure? I could get these parts with the motor but don't want to buy them if the ones I have off the 550 will work. If I make the swap I can get the 580 exhaust. The 580 was an EFI therefore I would have to go with the 36mm carbs for now.

Brown's Leisure World - Home Page has online microfiche with part numbers you can look up.

**RJ Gleason** · 10-30-2007, 05:36 PM

And here's the AC Site:
' + objMainFrame.arrApplicationTitle['EN'] + ' -- EMPARTweb*Version 5.2.2* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Arctic Cat E-Parts Catalogs -- EMPARTweb Version 5.2.2

Muchco · 10-30-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ Gleason

And here's the AC Site:
' + objMainFrame.arrApplicationTitle['EN'] + ' -- EMPARTweb*Version 5.2.2* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Arctic Cat E-Parts Catalogs -- EMPARTweb Version 5.2.2

Thanks for the information.