I going to be stretching my 01 T-Cat to give a little better off trail manners. Riding will be 60-70% on and the rest off. I am tossed up on either a 136 w/either a 1.25 ripsaw or 1.325 cobra or going with a 144" with the tip up rails with same track options. My only concerns about the 144 would be making it handle worse than a 136 and killing off to much top end compared to the 136. Any input would be great.
Track length input
- Thread starter hyrczyk
- Start date
I personally use a 153" on my M8 but 90% if not more is off trail.. I have a buddy that rides a 136 and for the most part he can go everywhere I can... The only time you see a difference is climbing in the steep and deep but I think the 144 wouldn't suit you well on the trails...
later
m8man
later
m8man
Y
yama_yooper
Guest
Remember that the actual "on the snow" difference in length between a 136" and 144" is only 4".
Personally, I would go for the 144". It will perform much better off trail, and the extra length will have much less impact on trail.
I stretched my '05 Warrior out to 151", and run a 1.5" Camoplast Crossover track. There was not a lot of difference in the on trail manners between the original 136" and the stretched version.
Make sure you have the gearing/clutching set up properly to go with the longer track, and you will be all set.
I actually get much better acceleration with the longer track, due to the huge increase in traction.
Top end???? Well, I really am not concerned there, but it will still hit triple digits (based on the speedometer).
Personally, I would go for the 144". It will perform much better off trail, and the extra length will have much less impact on trail.
I stretched my '05 Warrior out to 151", and run a 1.5" Camoplast Crossover track. There was not a lot of difference in the on trail manners between the original 136" and the stretched version.
Make sure you have the gearing/clutching set up properly to go with the longer track, and you will be all set.
I actually get much better acceleration with the longer track, due to the huge increase in traction.
Top end???? Well, I really am not concerned there, but it will still hit triple digits (based on the speedometer).
I think that either 136" or 144" would be fine. I run 136" on both my sled and the wife's. If you are looking for an off trail track do get the ripsaw, from what I hear they are no good off trail. I have heard good things about the cobra track. What ever you decide for length you will be happy. A long track sled rides really nice on the trail.
You'll be happier with the 144" off trail. But I think off trail the biggest difference maker is the paddle length. You can have a 163" track, but if it's only a 1" lug, you'll have lots of spin and little traction in the soft snow. Put a 2" paddle on a 121", and you'll fly around deep soft powder all day. Strange as it seems, the longer lugs really don't hurt trail riding much at all. Especially in the UP where the trails have such an awesome base, they dig right in.
So, if you are hesitant on 144, then go 136 but take the step up to at a minimum 1.5" lugs, and better yet, 1.75" or 2". You'll be so much happier with the performance off trail, you'll soon be 60% off trail and 40% on!
So, if you are hesitant on 144, then go 136 but take the step up to at a minimum 1.5" lugs, and better yet, 1.75" or 2". You'll be so much happier with the performance off trail, you'll soon be 60% off trail and 40% on!
mezz
Well-known member
If you are going to ride majority on trail, the Rip Saw will be fine, but, it won't really cut it in the pow. With this change, be prepared for this sled to push into the sharp turns on the trail as I am sure you are aware, it is front heavy & throttle strong. If it will fit, I would recommend 1.5 lug & up. Check on the clearance at the front exchanger, I am not sure how tall of a lug you can go on that sled, stock was a .85 lug.-Mezz
Thanks for all of the input so far. If I went with the 136 with 1.5 lugs how much will the 1.5 lugs hurt the top end/ability to reach tripple digits? Also how durable are the 1.5 tracks vs the 1.325 cobra and will there be much difference in performance between them on/off trail? Was looking at the intense track from tracks USA. Sorry about all the questions-just trying to make a well informed decision before I start the work on my baby.
144 you can get allot of hardly used 144 1.25 and 1.325 tracks on snowest for cheep .I would go 144 for sure. I also like the bigger lug but if you did the 144 over the 136 you could get away with the 1.25because you have 2 extra lugs on the ground.and I really dont think you will fit studs for a 1.5 track in a t cat and why have a t cat that you cant ice race it is sacrilegious. I think you can have your green card taken for that
polarisrider1
New member
My trail sled 40% on 60% off is a 144x2x15, and my off trail is a 151x2x15 90%off and 10% on. Run scrathers if you go 2" lug on trail. Groomers love me. Seriously I go gentle on the trails, I gain nothing by tearing them up. A 144x1.5x15 will best suite you.
Cat did make a mtn version-I think it had a 144. Only reason I am looking at this project is that I like how this sled is over all and it is payed for. I can't really justify buying a 5k plus sled right now or next year due to a possible endevour I am looking at entering into and this way would cost me right at 1k to get done and give me some thing a little more versitile. Granted it is heavy.
booondocker
New member
That cat IS heavy which is why you need more track and longer lugs...both. At least 144, 151 better still and 2 inch lugs are optimum. That 1/2 lug length will make quite a difference in the powder, and you won't notice any handicap on trail, except for the rooster-tail that machine will kick up behind you.
It rides over the mogels better on trail, and off trail it won't stop if you won't.
You will definitely need to add heat exchanger because that beast will over heat on you quicker than you can spin the track. But once you do all that, it will be a decent machine on or off trail. Surely you know top end will suffer some, not because the engine can't crank it out, but more because to avoid eating belts you need to gear down some. Once you do that the machine will come alive at lower rpms, and you will climb like you never thought possible.
She's a beast, but she is also a legend. One of the best early muscle sleds, in my opinion.
It rides over the mogels better on trail, and off trail it won't stop if you won't.
You will definitely need to add heat exchanger because that beast will over heat on you quicker than you can spin the track. But once you do all that, it will be a decent machine on or off trail. Surely you know top end will suffer some, not because the engine can't crank it out, but more because to avoid eating belts you need to gear down some. Once you do that the machine will come alive at lower rpms, and you will climb like you never thought possible.
She's a beast, but she is also a legend. One of the best early muscle sleds, in my opinion.
