arctic cat issues 2008 sled tech updates

We got an entire 200 slide presentation from Arctic Cat recently in the mail, but thought it might be easier for our readers if we consolidated only the most important info and categorized it by sled model. So, if you've got a 2007 sled and want to know what the upgrades were for the 2008 machines, you can find your sled below.

F570
-Engine has more mounting holes in the crankcase, a new exhaust clamp, new carb calibration, new clutching and new angled oil pump fitting.
-Textured lower panels and rear fenders for scratch resistance
-Larger gas tank is 10.8 gal., not 9.
-New hood attachment slides out.
-Twin spar chassis tipped (flattened from '07 F-series). Chassis has been rotated 2 and ¼ degrees about the drive axle for 2008. This provides two major advantages: 1.) Increased ground clearance. 2.) Increased front-arm travel.
-Curved handlebars
-New rear steel bumper
-Slide action rear susp. (15x144x1)
-New standard electronic gauge
-New rubber mounted starter motor
-New oil tank and access door
-New fuel filter access
-Longer recoil rope w/pulley system
-New pipe, resonator and exhaust clamp
-New air intake system
-New engine mounting including an additional drilled & tapped boss in case
-New mechanical reverse lever
-ACT drive system

F6
-New engine ECU calibration
-Revised mapping for better drive-away

F8
-Engine has improved EDU calibration, stator-exciter coil winding change to reduce temps, clutch changes (2 gram heavier weights) and reduced oil pump consumption.
-Added weight to clutch calibration
-VEV servo cables now have a clip that won't rub. Moved them lower on LH side plate brace to help protect from heat damage. Added hi-temp loom to the first 15 inches of servo cables.
-Changed diameter on coolant hose from water pump to MAG side throttle body for better fit.
-New weights for better clutch calibration
-Revised mapping for better drive-away
-Gearing change on the F8s - geared up to 64/56 from last year's 62/58
-Main harness changed where stator wires come out on the front side of the recoil.
-Coolant overflow hose removed
-RH rear engine mount added a spotface for better push-mount cable tie retention
-Oil bottle heat shield changed to make it go between Y-pipe and throttle bodies. Better heat protection for wiring and injectors.

F1000
-Engine has stainless steel oil pump linkage ball knuckles, reduced oil consumption, a 3rd band added to the exhaust pipe wrap, stator-exciter coil winding improvement, improved ECU calibration, runs 7,250 rpm vs. 7,400 rpm from last year, uses a 46/40 driven cam.
-Oil pump linkage rod - changed ball studs on top and bottom to stainless steel.
-Added weight to clutch calibration
-VEV servo cables now have a clip that won't rub. Moved them lower on LH side plate brace to help protect from heat damage. Added hi-temp loom to the first 15 inches of servo cables.
-3rd holding strop to front half of pipe cover
-Changed diameter on coolant hose from water pump to MAG side throttle body for better fit.
-Changed to 3 post drive clutch using a powder metal/nickel weight.
-Drive clutch is also now using line bored covers for better strength and increased roller life.
-New weights for better clutch calibration
-Revised mapping for better drive-away
-Revised oil pump linkage
-46/40 torque bracket in F1000 driven pulley
-3 cam arm drive clutch used on the 1000s (85 gram weights). Weights are made from powder metal and nickel.
-Main harness changed where stator wires come out on the front side of the recoil.
-Coolant overflow hose removed
-RH rear engine mount added a spotface for better push-mount cable tie retention
-Oil bottle heat shield changed to make it go between Y-pipe and throttle bodies. Better heat protection for wiring and injectors.

Z1 Jaguar
-Iridium spark plugs (with special ring of porcelain on the bottom) for improved cold starting and ECU mapping changes. No 87 octane requirement, so higher octane can be used.
-Airbox inserts have been removed. Self-tapping screws will hold it together. Rubber flange is now a better fit to the throttle bodies.
-Drive clutch is also now using line bored covers for better strength and increased roller life.
-Shorter storage box on Z1s
-Non-adjustable standard mid-height windshields
-New sway bar mounting is now 1.3 inches further out on each side. The bar is 13.5mm. There is a hardware change too for the different size bars
-Revised mapping for better drive-away

Sno Pros
-ECU changes for better drive-away and performance, and there is now an altimeter function.
-Front arm spring is 90/250 lb. on standard sleds and LXRs, but is 100/250 lb. on Sno Pros.
-Premium speedo on Sno Pro models
-Sno Pros have new 1.25-inch Cobra track.
-Sno Pros get single-runner wear bars.
-Sno Pros have altimeter function in ECU.

F-Series General
-Textured lower front bumper, lower side panels and rear fenders
-Exhaust deflector allows for a cool air space in between the hot exhaust gases and the side panel. (Can be done on older models.)
-Side panel strap has higher bosses to protect from breakage.
-New upper side panel vent retention
-Speedometer housing changed for new standard speedos on all standard models.
-New intake bezels are no longer honeycomb, so snow will not lodge into them.
-Non-adjustable standard mid-height windshields on all LXRs
-New fluorinated gas tank with permeation barrier
-Arctic Cat logo on snow flap
-New shoulder bolt for headlight pod instead of the old bolt and tube design.
-Premium speedo on LXR
-On standard models there is a quick remove non-adjustable seat. Just press two tangs inside the tool box to remove.
-Headlight bezel is now black.
-New sway bar mounting is now 1.3 inches further out on each side. The bar is 13.5mm. There is a hardware change too for the different size bars.
-New draglink material
-Crowned bell cranks for a better fit to the draglink. (This will also work on the '07s.)
-New heat exchangers - removed the center divider and increased the wall thickness.
-Hex caps on the bottom of the standard risers instead of Allen-heads.
-Nut holder for steering post changed to steel.
-All fastener hardware is now metric in the skid frame and chassis. Only the track adjustment bolt is SAE.
-Lightened rails
-Front arm spring is 90/250 lb. on standard sleds and LXRs, but is 100/250 lb. on Sno Pros.
-Added 3 holes, ½-inch apart in limiter strap.
-Increased the diameter of rear cross tube .250. Increased diameter of torque sensing link and idler wheel diameter to accommodate tube change.
-Single pull rod on rear arm
-Front and back tubes in lower A-arms are thicker gauge material. (14 vs. 16 gauge)
-New cross axle for slide action front arm - bushings are stepped and no longer pressed on to cross tube.
-Revised main wiring harness with convoluted tubing and routing changes with P-clamps.
-Revised console harness required for new gauges.
-New functions on premium speedometer include: ECU codes, clock on battery models, CatComm capable, dual trip meter and altimeter (on Z1s, 800s and 1000s)
-Revised throttle lever axle now with inner axle and push clip.
-Revised heater element with slots to help retain the glue in assembly, element configuration changed.
-CCU program change
-Throttle body boot for 2-strokes is glued to the air box. It also has an opening in the air box to get into the throttle bodies and boots.
-Exhaust pipe packing improved
-Steering stop was changed to a forged stop for more repeatability. 3 rivets instead of 2 bolts for easier installation.
-Transfer gear now has a longer weld and is welded in the opposite direction with stainless steel.
-Fill and drain plugs now the same and are torqued to 12 foot-pounds.
-Self-tapping screws for cover. Torque to 150 inch-pounds the first time and 105 inch-pounds thereafter.
-Forged shift fork - pins no longer welded.
-Metric hardware in the brake caliper
-Inner shaft lengthened .120 inches. No longer need the two .060-inch washers.
-New clutch guard and fasteners, F570s
-Tighter tie rod link changed to allow for tighter turning spindle. NOTE: Belleville washer has to be installed so crowned side is towards the bearing.
-Throttle cable moved down lower on LH side plate brace to help protect from heat damage.
-LH engine mount plate changed mounts to eliminate the Belleville washers between mount and chassis.

General
-Added "Peak Operating RPM" callouts on all the clutching decals.
-Changed retainer clips on hood liner and access panels so it holds better.
-Changed clutch guard, flattened out tabs so it is easier to install.
-The stationary sheave on the driven pulley was changed so that the use of two .60-inch washers between the driven and ACT input shaft are no longer required. The washers are needed for alignment only.
-ACT drive has forged shift forks instead of welded.
-ACT drive has better output shaft seal, and is now installed from the inside of the case and seats up against the new shoulder in the case.
-ACT drive sun gear is now welded counter clockwise with stainless steel wire for better strength.
-ACT drive added material to sealing surface by shift fork shaft.
-ACT drive changed drain plug so it's the same and the O-ring style fill plug. Drain plug torque has been reduced to 12 ft.-lbs. to eliminate stripping.
-ACT drive cover gasket kit includes gasket and two shims, and it will work in place of sealant if having issues with cover leakage.
-ACT driven pulley sheave adjuster is .120 inches longer for more adjustability.
-Larger bosses on either side of lower side panel strap to keep it more secure.
-New intake screens to keep snow from collecting on air intake.
-New clutch guard and fasteners on F570s and 500s will use two hair pins to fasten the clutch guard. 600s, 800s, 1000s and Z1s will use one hair pin and one straight pin in the rear so it doesn't interfere with the servo cables.
-Backside of headlight housing is now chrome.
-Throttle lever axle changed and added a clip for more retention.
-Changed routing of thumb warmer wire to improve durability.
-ECU diagnostics changed on speedo display. Will first flash ECU, then code.
-CCU software update

T-Series and Utility General
-Twin spar chassis tipped (flattened from '07 F-series). Chassis has been rotated 2 and ¼ degrees about the drive axle for 2008. This provides two major advantages: 1.) Increased ground clearance. 2.) Increased front arm travel.
-Textured lower panels and rear fenders for scratch resistance
-Exhaust deflector added to keep side panel cooler (less exhaust heat to come up around the side panel).
-New removable passenger seat
-New adjustable passenger hand holds
-New adjustable back rest also works on front seat when rear seat is removed.
-New high windshield
-New mirrors
-New rear rails for passenger seat attachment and storage
-Taller 5-inch riser
-Curved handlebars
-New battery tray that loads from the side rather than the top.
-New rear steel bumper
-Slide-action rear susp. (15x144x1)
-New sway bar and mounting along with all the susp. Improvements are the same as the F-sleds.
-Coined teeth and holes on the running boards provide improved traction grip. Added stiffening ribs into sides of tunnel as well as added secondary brackets for increased strength.
-Changed throttle lever axle and clip for better retention.
-Harness changes - routing cover and p-clamps
-Eliminated the 90 degree corner on the edge rolls for less snow build up, better ankle ergos and increased strength.
-Sno Pro spindle design to increase ski turning angle by 10 degrees for tighter turning radius.

T660 and T660 Turbo
-No 87 octane requirement, so higher octane can be used.
-Protective loom added to wiring harness under the engine stiffener bracket under the intake manifold.

T-570
-Larger gas tank is 10.8 gal., not 9.
-New hood attachment slides out
-New rubber mounted starter motor
-New standard electronic gauge
-New oil tank and access door
-New fuel filter access
-Longer recoil rope w/pulley system
-New pipe, resonator and exhaust clamp
-New air intake system
-New engine mounting including an additional drilled & tapped boss in case.
-New mechanical reverse lever

TZ1 LXR
-Larger gas tank is 10.8 gal., not 9 (will not retro to '07s).
-New adjustable driver seat
-New wind deflectors for passenger's hands
-Rear center storage bag with expandable zip-out feature.
-Side saddle bags
-IRP system
-New heated driver seat
-Heated passenger hand-warmers with passenger controls for hand and seat warmers.
-Remote electric start
-Catcomm
-New premium electronic gauge - error code will display with wrench lit up and ECU, then the code
-Push button reverse

T500
-New standard electronic gauge
-New mechanical reverse lever

Bearcat
-Jackshaft bearing; there's a new spanner wrench that is being used to hold the bearing while it is being torqued to the correct spec on the assembly line. (Torqued to 38-40 ft.-lbs.)

Panther
-Jackshaft bearing; there's a new spanner wrench that is being used to hold the bearing while it is being torqued to the correct spec on the assembly line. (Torqued to 38-40 ft.-lbs.)
-Fuel lines and clamps changed on 370

M-sleds
-Coined teeth and holes on the running boards provide improved traction grip and added stiffening ribs into sides of tunnel as well as added secondary brackets for increased strength.
-New hood harness to work with standard and premium speedos in M and Crossfires.

120s
-Fuel lines and clamps changed