AC 500 to a 600?

[rkw]

I read somewhere you can turn an Arctic Cat 500 into a 600 is this true, and if so, what are the parts needed? Thanks

 

[sledboy482]

We did this to my wife's sled last year. It is super easy.
Just put your 500 in the yard with a for sale sign on it. Sell it, and buy a 600.
Sorry- just kidding around. I hope someone puts the real answer here for you.

 

[rkw]

Sledboy,

Good answer, I enjoy clever humor.

 

[jr37]

While sledboys answer was good, it may be cheaper to just change the decals. Seeing that I don't know the real answer, I'm sticking to that.

 

[mikedrh]

Depends on the year. Rule of thumb, the cases and crank are the same for both motors up to 1999 and then the same from 2000 on up. You won't be able to put 2000 upper end on a 1999.

NOT ALL MODELS went to the new case and crank combo in 2000 so you need to know what the parts were out of to insure they will fit.

The thing that wiil not work is that Cat went from a "A case" 20 MM wrist pin motor to a "B case" 22 MM wrist pin motor in 2000 on "MOST" models.

Mike

 

[rkw]

Mike,

Thanks for your info., that helps a great deal. It's a 99 ZL500, so according to what you said I need to find pistons, jugs and head from a 99 or older, correct? What about the rods?

Kevin

 

[mikedrh]

The 600 and 500 bottom ends are the same, including rods, except for what I posted earlier.

Some of the tuning items will need to change, ignition and carbs.

Mike

 

[zltim]

I have owned both 500 and 600 1999 zl's. On the trail you cannot tell the difference between them. Its only out on the lake or very fast straight trails like rail beds that the 500 falls a little slower.

I believe there is 20 hp difference only. Both were EFI.

In fact I rode my wifes 500 to work one day by mistake and I didn't realize it was the 500 until I started to do some work on it and I had the wrong sled .