cats 2002 800 efi mountain cat

Mountain Cats and the old name plate, Powder Specials, have been a part of our mountain test fleet for years. We have seen many changes over numerous seasons. The mountain segment at Cat started to mature in earnest when the company unleashed its 800 twin for the '01 season.

Cat hired a red-blooded mountain rider and well-educated mechanical engineer, Jason Howell, to guide the Mountain Cat line to stardom. Cat Product Manager, Joel Hallstrom gave him a satellite development shop in Idaho, a healthy budget and free license to dream.

When we took delivery of our MC 800 in mid-December, we rode it two miles on the Allred farm when the right A-arm spring broke. In a conversation with Howell about this, he explained the subcontract supplier for these springs received a bad batch of wire from its supplier and that Mountain Cats within a certain serial number range had suspect springs. Our long-term sled fell within that range. So not only did our dealer, All Season Sports, replace the right spring, but the left one as well.

Our positive impressions of the MC 800 144 grow mostly from its ability to quickly change directions when commanded. The RMK and Summit in our test fleet were not quite as nimble. This is due to three reasons. First, the MC 800 spun a 144-inch track whereas the RMK and Summit churned a 151. Second, the wishbone suspension collapses and rolls quicker than a trailing arm suspension. Third, the superbly designed handlebars position a driver's body and arms for maximum leverage.

We learned our MC 800 was telepathic while carving and cutting the playfields. When hanging out in the deep powder and riding in a standup position, the MC 800 turned and laid a ribbon in the snow when the driver "just thought about it."

We liked the wide runningboards on the MC and its serrated edge. But, the boards were wimpy when it came to foot traction.
The 144-inch track aided the MC's nimbleness, but limited it in competing head-on with other 800s. Our 700 Vertical Edge 151 (smaller motor, longer track) would climb with it and at times would highmark it. This is also partly due to the fact the MC 800 was over 30-pounds heavier.

When we conducted our annual Powder Sled Playoff at Daniels Summit near Heber City, Utah, our MC 800 EFI squared off with an 800 Summit HMX 151 and an 800 Vertical Edge 151. In the uphill speed runs it struggled against the lighter and longer 800s. But it impressed in the trees as an agile boondocker.

However, halfway through the evaluation, the Cat sidelined itself. It would idle poorly and only gain about 20 miles-per-hour top speed.

Dale Cutler of Cutler's Performance Center tried to resuscitate the Cat in the field, but could not. As a result, the MC 800's marks suffered.

The MC 800, ol' Grinch, was returned to All Season Sports for an analysis. Here, Ron Williams, service manager, and an interested Howell, brainstormed to diagnose the problem. First thoughts lead to a failed engine coolant sensor- a vital link to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), but it was OK. Next thought: could it have been a failed throttle position sensor? All OK. Next lead: a failed ECU? Howell thought it was. Diagnostic checks proved the ECU was sound. Then what? Bad fuel. You have got to be kidding!

The fuel we purchased the morning of the evaluation must have had water in it. The fuel line and fuel displayed a milky color and ice filled the fuel delivery line. Our MC 800 was the only snowmobile that received fuel from the lodge that morning.
At this point, we give credit to Cat and its fuel delivery system that protected our EFI motor.

The AmSnow Mountain Test Staff fought over the MC 800 when it came to snookering the trails or heading home for that cold soda waiting in the truck. We also knocked each other around for the sled when the trees were thick and quick suspension duty was needed.

If we could change a few things on the'02 MC 800 EFI we flailed this past season, these would be:

• Put the sled on diet. Oh, yeah, the '03 1M is leaner than the '02 800 MC.
• Add a tacky and textured seat. Oh, '03 1M again.
• Add traction to the runningboards. Mmm... 1M again.
• Give the MC a powder aggressive, sidehilling ski. Still waiting.

What is the point here? Cat's production management team and Mountain Cat development team listened to customers, dealers, district sales mangers and journalists alike and delivered a better MC for '03.