153 Powerclaw or 162 Powerclaw????

[iowarmk]

Ok...here is my deal.. Like alot of guys...I just can't leave well enough alone. I have an 09 Dragon with Timber sled rear, clutch work, pcv and some other minor mods. I am wanting to go with avid drivers and a powerclaw track. Here is my question...do I go with a 153" track or a 162"? Sled is currently a 155" track. I would like to use my stock rails and go to bigger wheels in the back? What are the pros and cons?

Thanks for all opinions!!!!

 

[Ryde907]

I've got the about the same sled but with a holz alpha rear end. The longer track works great, I came off an 08 700 rmk 155 and do not miss the shorter track or notice much difference turning on the trail. Works reallly well in the powder but that could be due to the holz front and rear suspension and the extra power over the 700. Am very happy with it.

 

[Jkinzer]

personally i'm a bigger fan of the shorter tracks... they are a lot more fun in the tight trees, and easier to control in the air. i switched out to the 90 durometer 153 pc on mine last year and it was one of the best mods i made to my sled. if your planning on running your stock rails then you will have to get a custom free floating axle made in order to run bigger wheels and the shorter track. i believe mountain machines performance makes a set that will work. if you enjoy climbing a lot, i would recommend ditching the stock rails and upgrading to some straight ice age rails, their stronger than stock, you can get them in a 153" length or 162 and not have to mess with any axle kits or adapters. and comparing the rails to the price of new billet wheels with a free floating axle kit their almost the same price.

 

[iowarmk]

yeah...I am leaning towards the 153" I do aggree with the little bit shorter track. Not for sure on the wheels yet. I might just use my stock rails this year and do the drop and roll instead of big wheels. New rails and big wheels could always come next year. Is the 90 durometer track better than the 80 durometer track?

 

[iowarmk]

Well...I got a 153" track and a set of ice age rails with 8" wheels coming!!! Should be a great setup. Do I need to change anything on my clutching at all?

 

[mountainhorse]

I have had so much bad luck with the primary clutches on the 800... enough to make a big difference in performance.. that, In the off season, I would have the primary completely gone thru...Balanced and blueprinted...

Plus, I'd recommend the clutching from Carls for your sled... They have been spot on with their stuff. New springs in the primary/secondary... 19/42 gearing... Tell them what you have... they will "fill in the gaps"

If you are going to run that track... I recommend HIGHLY the NEW Avid Combo drivers... The design is all around better than the first design and the 7 tooth driver will give you the clearance needed... with an 8 tooth driver on the Power Claw you actually have LESS clearance than the stock track has... that robs power and loads the clutches.

Shimming your primary to the proper .010" for side clearance, having the deflection set, washing/scrubbing the belt every 3-4 rides and keeping the clutch faces clean will keep your sled consistently performing well!.

I've used Indy Specialties for the clutch work... the most thorough that I have run across.... they address the whole clutch and not just certain elements of it... that There are probably others that do as well... just a good idea to ask what all is done before sending it in.

I would like to use my stock rails and go to bigger wheels in the back? What are the pros and cons?

Stock rails w/bigger idlers... 8" max...past that and you will be causing slack track situation when compressing the suspension as the track lifts off of the upper idlers.

You would have to run an offset axle .. If you run the stock axle the track and guide clips will be lifted off the hyfax at the rear while running

IMO...Run the stock diameter wheels (7.25") with the stock rails.

Just read your last post... Good job on the Ice Age Rails... they are top notch products!

 

[iowarmk]

Thanks for all the info!!! Yes...I am planning on running the avid combo drivers. I am trying to decide if I get the 7 tooth driver or get the 8 tooth and do a drop and roll. I am leaning kinda of towards the drop and roll with 8 tooth. As far as clutching...I have carls helix 62-42-.40 & 60-40-.40 , two delrins and stock secondary spring. I have the recommended bellybuster weights from carls as well for my current 155 setup. yes..I am planning on sending the clutch out this year and having gone through and balanced. What is stock gearing on the poo 800 dragon?

 

[mountainhorse]

If you have the $$... the new style 8tooth drivers and the Holz 5/8" D&R will set you up well.

Just to check... you probably have it correct.. Do you have the delrin washers UNDER the spring cup (between the cup and the clutch)?

Go with new springs in the primary and secondary at the beginning of the season.

Stock gearing is 19/41 on a 2009 Dragon

This will be a good time to check the driveshaft/jackshaft bearings, chain condition etc..

Fastrax makes a D&R as well... great quality...it moves the driveshaft down and back more than the Holz.

 

[iowarmk]

Will the Holz d&r work good with the 8 tooth setup? I was going to go with that...but since it did not get me quite as much clearance...I thought I would maybe go with the fastrax since it had more clearance. But if the Holz d&r is sufficient...then I would like to save a little $$$$....

I do aggree....great time to inspect everything while I have it apart.
I do have the spacers under the cup..

Thoughts???

 

[600xc4me]

My opinion in drop and roll would be Holz. I'm finishing mine up here now, and it's a really simple kit. You need some tools, and time, but it's really nicely designed, and a lot less complex than the fastrax one. If you don't need the huge clearance of the fastrax, go Holz no question.

 

[Jkinzer]

Will the Holz d&r work good with the 8 tooth setup? I was going to go with that...but since it did not get me quite as much clearance...I thought I would maybe go with the fastrax since it had more clearance. But if the Holz d&r is sufficient...then I would like to save a little $$$$....

I do aggree....great time to inspect everything while I have it apart.
I do have the spacers under the cup..

Thoughts???

i'm installing the FTX D&R on my new build tomarrow, their have been a few skeptics saying that theirs is to dramatic of a D & R but after having one on my g/f's pretty much stock 09 D8 163 all season last year and seeing how well it stayed on top of the snow compared to the other sleds, it was a no brainer for me to get one for my sled. and i could def use the extra clearance since i am using 8 tooth drivers

 

[iowarmk]

And that is what I want to do is run the 8 tooth driver. I think the Holz is a good kit...but I just want to do this once. If the holz works....that would be great I would always like to save a little....but...save now pay later is not what I want to do. Thanks for everyones thoughs. If anyone else has done the holz with a Power Claw track let me know how it has worked out for you.

Thanks!

 

[iowarmk]

Can I run the same belt if I do the drop and roll? I assume I do...but just wanted to be sure.

I tore my sled down tonight...just like it had been said...I can see where current track hits the top of the tunnel up front. Anyway...got it all tore down. Case and everything. Now just wait for all the parts to come together and we will be ready for some snow!!!