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Evolution Powersports
Well-known member
After 3 weeks of testing with stock clutch components, stock belts, aftermarket belts, aftermarket clutches using heat guns, go pro video cameras, data logging hundreds of miles and countless hours in different terrain, we have a good comprehension of what is happening with the belts and clutches and why the belt life can be so poor on certain sleds and better on others. Without going into ridiculous detail here, assuming you have a sled with the correct offset, C to C and belt length & width, some sleds will still blow belts with far too few miles. One basic item we found is on sleds with the correct clutch specs, some will blow belts because they do not have all of the bolts in the hood – especially the ones in the shock tower area. Without these bolts secured, snow will get into the clutch area and cause the belt to slip – this is a fact. On the 2013 models, AC added an additional thumb screw to further close the gap in the body panels to reduce snow from getting inside the clutch area.
The rest of the sleds that have the hood assembled properly and have the correct clutch specs and have the primary weights & spring correct for the hp & rpm level and the secondary setup for proper upshift and backshift and still blow belts – this is what we have found: There are three primary causes for the shortened belt life:
1) The secondary clutch, for various reasons will lose grip of the belt upon upshift and allow it to be sucked to the bottom of the clutch which immediately destroys the belt. This is more pronounced with belts on the shorter side of spec
2) The secondary clutch will momentarily pause the shift which will create a wave in the belt which under certain conditions causes the belt to snap when it grabs again
3) There is a tremendous amount of heat generated from belt slippage in the secondary which will degrade the belt and cause it to explode with relatively little use.
There are other reasons for shortened belt life which will not be addressed here – this is for clutches that are set up properly.
The solution we have tested and have proven works on the sleds described above is a two part solution:
1) Replace the secondary clutch with a Team Secondary Clutch spec’d by EVOPS & Racin Station
2) Replace the belt with custom EVOPS/Gates carbon belt
The Team clutch is most of the solution – belt life is SUBSTANTIALLY better with our clutch setup and specified weights / spring combination. The EVOPS/Gates belt completes the package
The Team clutch will be available in approximately 2 weeks. The complete Team secondary cost with helix & spring is $429
The belts will be available late this season and will cost far less than the 082 stock belt. Exact price TBD.
Again, this solution is not the cure all for poor clutching or sloppy setup – This is a proven combination of many different components that when used together with the correct weights, spring and properly setup, this kit will reduce belt heat, eliminate belt back lash and maintain consistent belt tension.
The rest of the sleds that have the hood assembled properly and have the correct clutch specs and have the primary weights & spring correct for the hp & rpm level and the secondary setup for proper upshift and backshift and still blow belts – this is what we have found: There are three primary causes for the shortened belt life:
1) The secondary clutch, for various reasons will lose grip of the belt upon upshift and allow it to be sucked to the bottom of the clutch which immediately destroys the belt. This is more pronounced with belts on the shorter side of spec
2) The secondary clutch will momentarily pause the shift which will create a wave in the belt which under certain conditions causes the belt to snap when it grabs again
3) There is a tremendous amount of heat generated from belt slippage in the secondary which will degrade the belt and cause it to explode with relatively little use.
There are other reasons for shortened belt life which will not be addressed here – this is for clutches that are set up properly.
The solution we have tested and have proven works on the sleds described above is a two part solution:
1) Replace the secondary clutch with a Team Secondary Clutch spec’d by EVOPS & Racin Station
2) Replace the belt with custom EVOPS/Gates carbon belt
The Team clutch is most of the solution – belt life is SUBSTANTIALLY better with our clutch setup and specified weights / spring combination. The EVOPS/Gates belt completes the package
The Team clutch will be available in approximately 2 weeks. The complete Team secondary cost with helix & spring is $429
The belts will be available late this season and will cost far less than the 082 stock belt. Exact price TBD.
Again, this solution is not the cure all for poor clutching or sloppy setup – This is a proven combination of many different components that when used together with the correct weights, spring and properly setup, this kit will reduce belt heat, eliminate belt back lash and maintain consistent belt tension.
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