4-stroke Research HELP PLEASE - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Thumper4444 · 03-01-2009, 05:00 PM

Hello new guy here. Occasional snowmobile renter and my jeolousy will show soon at what technology you have availalbe that I want here in the south where it doesn't snow much, accept last night's 6" in west Tennessee. I am tring to find a list of 4-stroke engines or complete sleds that fit this discription. Brand, Model, 4 stroke, at least 45 to 50 hp at around 6000 to 6500 RPM and probably a twin preferably with Fuel Injection but not necessary. Lightweight is another priority. Now for the reason. I fly Ultralight airplanes. Most of us in this sport are using the snowmobile engines from the late 70's and early 80's. Mostly Rotax engines but some Kawasaki and Cuyuna. They were the best available at the time but snowmobiles have imprved tremendously and I want some of that technology. Everyone help me with this !!!! All of you can e-mail ( dlong1957@yahoo.com ) and give me a list. I know Arctic Cat had a 660 around 2003 that fit that discription. I rode one this last winter in the Black Hills of South Dakota and it might fit. I don't konw the model so any help? Also the Yamaha 500cc Fazer might fit my application. Some of the guys up north are going back to the newwer snowmobile engines and claim they are great. I just need a list of any other light weight 4-strokes that are available. I will take it from there. Thanks Dennis Long from Tennessee.

polaris rider · 03-01-2009, 05:12 PM

Ugh.... if u insist on a 4-stroke then id go with yamaha... there most experienced. And light 4-strokes dont exist! All 4-strokes are about 600 lbs

Spun222400 · 03-01-2009, 06:19 PM

your best bet would be the phazer 500 twin, most 4 strokes are tripples and about 120hp and they aint lightweight, plus for what your goona pay for a sled wouldint you be better off picking up a airplan grade rotax BRP-Rotax

chilly willy · 03-01-2009, 08:05 PM

Welcome

soupkid · 03-01-2009, 10:07 PM

Polaris makes a twin 4 stroke that comes in around 80 HP, not sure on the weight but the 2 strok sled vs the 4 stroke is about 40 lb difference

**smallengineguy** · 03-02-2009, 06:45 AM

Gotta remember that all 4 strokes are liquid cooled now.

Thumper4444 · 03-02-2009, 09:19 PM

The water cooling is great. I am curious about the weight of the engines only from the 4 stroke sleds. Rotax aircraft engines are all 2-strokes and they are not developing anything around 50 hp that weighs and less than 100#. The arctic cat engine from 2003 was a 660cc and if it is water cooled that is OK. depending on the dry weight of the engine. There has got to be something better out there and you guys get it. Light weight 4-strokes are all showing up in the sleds, at least for the recreational riders. I know the hot sleds are still 2-strokes or large 4-strokes maybe even supercharged. A 2-stroke direct injection would be great also but no one will develop them for aircraft use. Soooooooooo I will look into doing it myself if I can get some information on engines, engine weight and HP at moderate RPM's. Thanks