(Maybe) Going to the Mountains - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

willdeh2 · 01-18-2013, 12:02 PM

My friends and I are thinking of heading to Colorado to do some snowmobiling in late February and I need to get my sled ready for it.

I know it's not ideal, but I've got a ZR 600 with a 136" track with 1.5" paddles, I've read that people can use these in the mountains so I know it's possible. I know I will get stuck, but my friends are patient and I'm sure we will all be helping each other. I wont try to do anything crazy, but I want my sled to be as good as it can be in the mountains. I should add that I do have Mountain Cat skis on my sled, so that should help with the flotation.

I need to jet it, but my toolbox has the chart for a 500. I couldn't find a picture of a chart anywhere online and I don't have any manual for my sled. If someone could let me know what I need that'd be great. A picture of the chart would be ideal!

And I assume I will need clutching adjustments as well, but I have NO idea what I'm doing here. I will need lots of help in this department. And I would love to know ball park prices, the cheaper the better.

I would go to my dealer to find all this info, but he's kind of annoying to deal with and I can't beat the help I get from you guys. Thanks!

rgoers · 01-18-2013, 12:33 PM

The shop manual should have all the info you need on clutching and jetting. Might be able to get the info online... I no longer have my Cat manuals.

You should be able to go just about anywhere you would want to go with a 136x1.5, except for straight up very steep stuff (which I don't find much fun anyway). Learning how to carve will help you with turning, since there's not really any other good way to turn in deep stuff.

willdeh2 · 01-18-2013, 03:23 PM

Thanks for the optimism, it's definitely encouraging. Carving will certainly be an interesting endeavor.

And unfortunately I don't have any of the manuals, I did download two online but neither had the info I was after.

**BC_Dan** · 01-18-2013, 08:01 PM

You may also have to make clutching changes for high elevation. One thing to try would be to look up the specs for the jets and clutch parts for a similar year powder sled with the same engine, such as a Powder Special. Then jet and clutch to that stock spec. Usually, the powder/mountain sleds are set up from the factory for higher elevation. It's worth a look.

Here's one place to check

Alpha Sports Parts Diagrams - OEM Arctic Cat Snowmobile Parts Catalog

**kccats** · 01-19-2013, 09:12 AM

The first place I ran my 98 ZR 600 was in Jackson Hole at over 8000'! With the stock 3/4" 121 track! I had NO idea on jetting and had the complete wrong set up and had a blast!
I can put you together a complete set up! You will be able to go anywhere anyone else will! The only exception would be High Marking compared to the Big Cats! 163" Turbo monsters!

willdeh2 · 01-19-2013, 10:01 AM

That sounds like quite the time kccats! You must be a little more adventurous than me...

Thanks for that website Dan. Looks like the Powder Special had 410's in the carb compared to 430's in the ZR.

The Powder Special calls for 45 gram weights for 5000-9000 feet, but the ZR says 45.5's. I would assume I should follow the specs for the Powder Special because my gearing is the same as it.

Does all that sound right kccats? Or what did you have in mind? Do I need any other clutch components, or just the weights?

JDS · 01-19-2013, 01:08 PM

I've got charts for a '99, but the carbs changed between '98 to '99. It shows 350 for my elevation and then 260 for 8,000 feet. In my ZR500, I go from a 310(330 stock) at 1,000 feet to 260's at 8,000. If you're running 430 at your elevation, I would suggest more like 360's at 8,000. As far as weights, I run 51g at 1,000 feet and 44's at 8,000. My IQ 600 I'm running 62's at 1,000 feet and 54's at 8,000, so I'd suggest dropping the weights about 6 g.

willdeh2 · 01-19-2013, 05:04 PM

For whatever reason I have 49's in my clutch, seems to work fine, my only concern is over-revving, right? Assuming that is what I should have in it, you would suggest going to 42 or 43 for high altitude?

JDS · 01-20-2013, 11:57 AM

If you're not over revving with the 49's at your altitude, I would go with 43's at 8,000. That 600 will get around great with that track. A friend has a 2002 ZR set up just like that in Wyoming.

willdeh2 · 01-21-2013, 10:45 AM

Sounds good! I found some 42.5 gram weights on eBay that I think will fit, that would be close enough, right? Are these weights pretty interchangeable for many Cats? I certainly don't want to buy the wrong ones.

And will I need a different spring or anything or are the weights all I need?

JDS · 01-21-2013, 03:15 PM

They'll be fine. I don't change springs, but you might if you want to lower your launch rpm.

willdeh2 · 01-21-2013, 06:33 PM

Alright thanks! I think I might go with some 43.5's, that's what the stock chart says to do at 9,000 plus, that should be a little safer than the 42.5's, I don't want to mess anything up.

Would it be an improvement to have a lower clutch engagement?

Hey KC! What do you think of this set up for clutch weights? You said you know a good set up... let's hear your wisdom!

**kccats** · 01-22-2013, 06:55 AM

First is your sled STOCK? stock pipe, can, air box?
You will want to put together a jet kit! They make a ruber square container for them. I would go atleast down 3 main jet sizes and depending on how high you go even a leaner needle! Do you have a digital scale? Wiegh your wieghts! Go down a coupla grams! As for over rev, wait and just adjust your driven spring! Do you have handle bar hooks and or a cross strap?

willdeh2 · 01-22-2013, 09:01 AM

Yes my sled is perfectly stock other than the long track and it being geared down. The weights are 49, I assume to accommodate for the larger track.

I'm going to the dealer today to get the jets and maybe the weights if they aren't to absurdly priced.

Handlebar hooks are in the mail, and I do have that solid grab bar running across my handlebars. I assume I'll have to get used to using that thing? And I'm thinking about getting a 4" angled riser as well, an RSI one, any thoughts on that riser?

Oh and can you swap the main jet without pulling the carbs off?

rgoers · 01-22-2013, 01:04 PM

You can sometimes get at the cap on the bottom of the carbs to swap jets without removing the airbox and carbs. Depends on the model... and how badly you want to do it without removing other stuff.

Don't worry about getting used to using the mountain grab-bar. I don't know anybody who actually uses theirs. They are just for looks...

The thing you *will* have to get used to is turning the skis the OPPOSITE direction that you're wanting to go. It's extremely counter-intuitive and takes a lot of practice to get used to doing it without having to actually *think* about it.

**BC_Dan** · 01-22-2013, 01:59 PM

I use my mountain bar all the time. It makes sidehilling a breeze!

willdeh2 · 01-22-2013, 06:02 PM

Well if Dan uses the bar then I should follow suit!

I went to the dealer and he actually had some used weights for me, he said 44's would be safe to go with and he also talked me into a torque bracket for the secondary. I don't really know what this bracket thing does, the way I understand it is that it doesn't let the sled go into "over drive" and forces it to stay in a lower gear. Does that sound like something I need? It's a 49 degree bracket if that means anything to anyone.

As for jets, he gave me 250's. I'm not exactly sure of the elevation I will be riding at, we're thinking Vail Pass, I assume somewhere between 8000-12000 might be the elevation. And to his knowledge the 250's would be good. Can someone confirm that?

**kccats** · 01-23-2013, 08:08 AM

Again make up a complete jet kit! Get 2 of eack size and the kit will even have the main jet tool!

willdeh2 · 01-23-2013, 03:03 PM

Are you saying make my own or can I buy this thing somewhere?

And do you think the clutch components sound right? I think the weights are good, but I'm not sure about the torque bracket, just unsure of if it's necessary or even the right one.

**kccats** · 01-24-2013, 07:25 AM

Yes and with an aftermarket airbox the carbs come out even easier! Just spine to the side and a 17mm will remove the cap (some older carbs were 14mm! Here is the jet kit from HPE #200-220 and list price is $6.95 and it holds like 20 main jets! And the main jets list for $2.95 part number begin with 236- and what ever size you want. Like 236-310 is a 310 main jet!And I can get the aftermarket jets too, they're a bit cheaper like $2 ea? Oh and HPE is Snowmobile Parts, Accessories, Clothing | Hi-Performance Engineering