Mountain mods - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Terry · 07-19-2004, 12:50 AM

I am looking to modify my 92 Polaris 500 efi sks for some moderate mountain running 6000 ft elevation or so.
I know it may not be a 700 plus machine but I would like to give it a crack as I cannot afford to buy a mountain machine. 95% of my sledding is not mountains but 1600 ft elevation flatland sledding.
I intend to do the following and would appreciate any recommendations from knowledgable/experienced sledders.

1) Lengthen the track from 133.5 stock to 144" 1.25" paddle.
2) Install wide ski skins for better flotation on the front end.
3) Adjust gearing to suit the track.
4) Change clutch weights and adjust secondary.
5) Increase octain level in fuel to increase power (not sure how much octain at this point)

This machine is in excellent condition for it's age and still performs great at the 1600 ft elevation (8500 rpm stock). I cannot afford major upgrades such as piping or engine work but would like to just get in the game. Any thoughts about my ideas so far?

daktruckie99 · 07-19-2004, 06:15 AM

I can try to offer you some help. When you say mountain will you still be on trails just higher elevation or will you be off in the deep powder? On my sled I have a 1.25" track and whenever I go into deep powder(10"+) I tend to get stuck easy. One problem with our older sleds is that they are kind of low to the ground and there is a bunch of resistance from the belly pan. I dont know how much the longer track will help but a 1.25" track IMO wont help too much. Just as a heads up.

**smallengineguy** · 07-19-2004, 09:00 AM

I agree with truckie on that one. Clearance is going to be a problem for you. I have the same problem with my 92 Doo in deep powder. It'll spin the track all day, but the tub will drag on the snow and the track will spin a rut and I'll get stuck.

Terry · 07-19-2004, 06:00 PM

OK, so we raise er up (front and back) to increase clearance. I have access to metalworking tools to do this. Note this sled is the SKS originally designed for deaper snow with reasonable clearance. I was anticipating raising the machine more to improve clearance. I plan to find wide ski skins to increase floatation.
I would like to try powder even though I know there will be weaknesses. Any more advice anyone?

skidoo_magoo · 07-19-2004, 09:17 PM

hmmm... well there are cheap ways to add power. you could bore it out a bit, like i did with my 500 (got like 60-70 cc's outta it by the time we were done). but i guess you got the octaine for that. i would still look into some cheap performance upgrades.

you got the longer track and the clearance... is there a way, maybe, to lighten it up? dunno how heavy it is...

HiLLbEllYcustom · 08-14-2004, 11:44 PM

i dun know alot about about this stuff but i will give my input....if it has electric start i would remove that,the foam on the inside of the hood not much but it helps,if it's oil injected u can remove that and go to mixed gas thats about all i can think of.

royboy · 10-16-2004, 09:56 AM

Make sure you install a "mountain bar" It comes in pretty handy when sidehilling. Also, the easiest and cheapest way to lighten up your sled is to hit the gym and drop a couple of pounds. you could also get rid of the cowl, and make one up out of aluminum/tin strapping, and cover it with a screen, i've seen guys do that out here in B.C. For Octane, i would fill up at a Chevron, they have 94 octane at the pumps... I wouldn't blend with 100LL AVGAS because it contains quite a bit of lead, and will foul you up pretty good. Most guys are pretty pleased with the performance from 94 octane.

johnny3176 · 10-16-2004, 11:50 PM

riding in the mountians is graet thing my best advice is to make sure you use the jetting chart for your sled and put in the right weights in the clutch. a set up and good running sled makes the trip. if you fowling plugs and burnen up belts no matter how many mods it will suck unless you like to get stuck cause your sled hestated or stumbled and etc i have one sled with a 151 2 in
paddle and unless your out to climb straight to the top of the mountian i think my other sled with the 136 1.75 paddle is funner for playing. way back i had a jag 440 with a 1.5 paddle on it and it was a blast to ride lightwieght bla bla.

for the dallar, pipes i think are the best hp gain, from their its how you get the power to track.
money is key to what you can do. you can make any sled kick bu?

but remember its all about riden

Fastcat · 11-02-2004, 11:17 PM

Terry... Go to your dealer, purchase the high altitude kit for your sled, put a mountain bar on it, and go enjoy the mountains.Its an EFI SKS made for the mountains. Dont worry about getting stuck, cause you will! Everybody does. Put a longer track on it and you just get stuck a little deeper and further.I learned to ride on a 1968 olympique at 7000 feet altitude,20ft snow base and 2 feet of powder many many years ago.Talk about getting stuck!!! Your riding a ferrari compared to that piece of **** I had. Take royboys advise about the gym. Fitness is a big key to mountain riding. Have Fun

Raider44TT · 12-31-2004, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fastcat
Terry... Go to your dealer, purchase the high altitude kit for your sled, put a mountain bar on it, and go enjoy the mountains.Its an EFI SKS made for the mountains. Dont worry about getting stuck, cause you will! Everybody does.

i've gotten stuck many times with my 78 el tigre i sold, and a few times with my 570exciter i also had to sell. but the old raiders havent gotten stuck in the 12 years they've been here, even in 2 foot of powder dropped over night they run right up. man does it suck digging the inside of a raider out tho. the twin cleated tracks and engine right over the tracks is the only reason they hook up so well in just about anything, and the design of the bellypan just picks the front end up off the ground.

yamahamm700 · 01-06-2005, 12:42 AM

Recommend ok terry all's I ride is the mountains increasing the level of octane that you run won't gain you anything. Unless you are running high compression in your sled then you will need the higher octane so it will run cooler. With higher octane the sled will run to cool and your pipe or pipes will not heat up to the optimal temp. and you will loose power not gain it. Tightening up the rear clutch will allow for a quicker back shift throwing more weight in the front clutch will up your engagement rpm these are good things to do a 136" x 1.5 is what i recommend. ski skins ok but a set of simons flex skis is the way to go wicked in powder awesome on the trails. loosen your limiter straps this will take pressure of the skis and allow better transfer to the rear, pulling the front end out of the snow better. that's all i would do good luck!

mike331313 · 01-24-2005, 05:48 PM

When I bought my '97 Polaris 500 Indy Super Sport, it already had a supspension lift on it. Let me tell you this, IT HELPS. I have not buried my sled once. So I have found that it would be a good investment. Good Luck.

YamahaVector · 01-24-2005, 09:50 PM

Get a GPS Transponder so the rescue workers can find you after the avalanche.

600SE · 02-01-2005, 08:11 PM

Sit as far back as possible and rip it

oops sorry yamaha vector...didn't see you there
Thats my opinion

BLinindoll · 02-09-2005, 08:24 PM

As yamahamm700 said... Higher octane won't help. The definition of octane is the ability to resist knocking. Knocking is caused by higher compression, amoung other things. Just run 87 octane. Higher octane isn't any "cleaner" and won't increase power, although it WON'T decrease your power either. Octane has nothing to do with the temp. of the burn. Don't waste your money. Put it towards other things... like more fuel for longer rides!!!

And 600... you seriously need to stop with the sarcastic suggestions. Someones gonna get hurt. If someone is asking something, they arn't looking for a smart a$$ remark. They want an answer. And some people MIGHT even take you seriously (as long as they don't know you.) Someone someday might actually sit back and go over because you suggested it. Yeah, some people arn't so bright, but you never know. No one needs your smart a$$ remarks. Take a look at Fastcat's pic. Hmm... i'm startin to think YOU should use that one.

600SE · 02-11-2005, 05:11 AM

What the f*** is your problem around here?It wasn't a sarcastic remark a** hole.Why don't you just F*** off and stop bothering me.

You sit back to get traction and more wieght on the track...What, you Mr. Technical now?Duh you shouldn't do this when going strait up...Whatever just f off and go away, next time i post some thing you can keep your mouth shut...

Snow Freak · 02-11-2005, 11:24 AM

I dont want to get started in this again, but 600SE Blindoll is right, nobody wants to hear your smart a$$ remarks! It is old!

BLinindoll · 02-11-2005, 02:59 PM

thank you

600SE · 02-11-2005, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Snow Freak
I dont want to get started in this again, but 600SE Blindoll is right, nobody wants to hear your smart a$$ remarks! It is old!

It wasn't a sarcastic remark thing or whatever he said, you guys are a real pain. If you don't want to get this started again you should keep your mouth SHUT. You guys started it this time not me, Once again blindwhatever came in and said something for no reason...

3...2...1...

600SE · 02-11-2005, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BLinindoll
thank you

Sniff Sniff, How Touching