Quincee33

I know old El Tigre's were Free Air then became Liquid if i'm not mistaken. Does anyone know what year they switched? And what were faster? i want to buy an old El Tigre, but not too sure which year i should look into...also which one's were more reliable.

Old Man

If I remember correctly, the 1976 through to 1980 El Tigre 5000's were FA machines. The first liquid cooled was the 1978 El Tigre 6000 and all the 6000's from then till 1984 were liquids. The El Tigre 4000 in 1976 and 1977 were FC. Any El Tigre's prior to 1976 had Kawasaki FC engines. As for reliability. With older machines, it would have more to do with the history and maintenance of each individual machine. That said, the liquid cooled machines are more forgiving as far as operating in a wide range of temperatures. As for performance, I've only ever driven a 1979 El Tigre 6000, and for it's time, it was a good performer.

kccats

About the Best was the 81 6000! I had several, I had 4000, 5000 and 6000! I had one of ll three at the same time! The 440 lq was hands down faster than the others! And the 80 6000 was much better! And the 81 was improved!

Quincee33

thx guys, always loved the El Tigre....also like the Pantera or was it Panther? i think it was the Pantera, nice looking and had alot of features.

kccats

The Pantera has always been the top of the line! The older were the Brown Sled!

El Tigre Kid

ive got a 79 6000 all original and my neihbors got a 81 5000 81 6000 80 6000 and 78 6000 and my sled will beat all of them except the 81 6000 and is the most reliable. The least reliable is the 1980 because its 500 cc and only got one fuel pump for 38 mikunies. And the 5000 free air is nice but likes to get warm on the trails in the woods.

__________________
~``Tyler Brode``~

-1979 Arctic Cat El Tigre 6000

The Sleds
-1979 arctic cat jag 3000
-1979 arctic cat el tigre 6000
-1984 yamaha srv 540
Past sleds
1979 el tigre cross country cat
1985 el tigre 6000
1977 el tigre 4000
1978 jag 2000

MEGASNOWMACHINE

i have a 1989 el tigrey ext and it lasted 12,000 miles with no engine replacement! it is a liquid cooled 530

ZRTEETH

I had an 81 6000 and that old sled was a force to be recond with considering it was only a 500 liquid. They made the free air's in 81 to but that was the last year for it. Even though the 6000 was heavier then the 5000, the 6000 because of its case reed engine, bigger carbs, bigger ports and different pipe for reving higher was faster hands down. There was alot more time and r&d in the 6000 engine because that engine was cats big boy engine which they used for the arguably "fastest snowmobile in the world" at the time. Mind you the 5000's were a little "detuned" for consumers (as well as the 6000 somewhat) but even well tuned i don't think it would be faster then a foctory tuned 6000.