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Arctic Cat M8 RTR, BoondockersLast year we reported on BoonDocker's newest turbo for 2-stroke motors, the Pump Gas Turbo, or PGT. It overhauls conventional thoughts about the expense of owning a turbo, as the PGT runs on 91-octane pump gas, while also having a lower boost rating and using BoonDocker's EFI control box. Simply, it costs less to run.
Now BoonDocker has taken the PGT a step further, with endorsement and help from riders Chris Burandt and Bret Rasmussen, and developed a turnkey mountain sled. This new iteration is known as RTR, for Ready to Ride, or some say Ready to Race.
The guys at BoonDocker tell us its' PGT kits allow a snowmobile's motor to run 91- octane gas from sea level up to 10,000+ feet, all while delivering safe and reliable 200+ hp. Cost for a kit is $4,295.
Kyle Reynolds, Boon-Docker's spokesman says, the PGT has "adjustable electronic boost controller and boost display. [It] automatically adjusts boost as a rider changes elevation to maintain horsepower settings for optimum performance on pump fuel or race fuel. This allows users to run pump fuel at low elevation."
Jared Sessions, Idaho Falls-based BoonDocker's general manager, had us rumble the mountains of Island Park, Idaho, on the company's RTR. From its insane graphics, to its ride, to its power, the M8 Sno Pro RTR was phenomenal and is a perfect sled for our 2-stroke turbo segment.
RTR began life as a 2009 M8 Sno Pro 162. Its engine is stock except for the PGT with mini intercooler, BoonDocker's EFI control box with air density advantage, and simple tuner programming.
Front suspension mods included Fox Evol R front shocks, for hard drops. But it maintained its stock A-arms and skis (if this were mine, I'd add SLP Powder Pros). In back, the stock skid was maintained.
However, the primary and secondary clutches received BoonDocker's prescription for weights and springs. Estimated horsepower for this beautiful beast is 200, dependent upon elevation and octane, and coming from 7-8 psi boost.
Laying into the RTR, it spools up quickly. There's just a wee bit, and I mean minimal, turbo lag. Newcomers to PGT mountain riding may not even pick up on it.
The RTR did not disappoint. Its ability to viciously spin the track makes it king on power climbs. However, BoonDocker did not want its PGT to be a one dimensional power mod, a point-and-shoot only. BoonDocker wanted to deliver a simple do-it-yourself kit, a turnkey mountain sled that would enable a driver to have sea-level power, and gobs more in the trees, where technical riding is for the strong. Simply, the RTR with PGT has controllable power with turnkey reliability for the average user.
Many Western riders are changing their riding style from big bowl hill banging to tree riding or technical riding. These riders do not tolerate peaky or "lag" motors. The company knows this and knows that with the high cost of race fuel, and snowmobiles in general, they needed a reliable, inexpensive turbo.
Did BoonDocker hit the mark? Yes. Is this M8 too good to be true? Nope, it's hardcore truth for hardcore technical mountain and tree riders.
More info: 877-522-7805 or 208-542-4411, or
www.boondockers.com