clutching or gearing

[bustamove]

so right now Ive got a 05 900 was a 151 converted to a 159. with slp pipe, slp heads, and mtx clutch kit with blue/pink spring.
i have right now:
stock 19:39
helix 64-38-.36 (service manual states I should have 62-46-.36, but even checking online and the parts book p/n is what I currently have.... WEIRD)

so after tons of research on here. (ride mountain, 2500-7000ft, and Im heavy 270 with gear)
what I gathered I want
helix 66-44-.46/ 66-46-.46
and gearing 18:40/19:42

now my questions are am I on the right track? or should i tweak a bit more for my weight?

and I was going to get both at the same time but some of funds went to the rider select delete instead, so now i have to choose one or the other until after xmas, which will give me more of a benefit. or is it something you do at the same time?

 

[05900]

I would pop in a helix clean and adjust primary even a new spring and rollers pins etc.
Take a ride then see if you want lower gearing. If you do it together you may not notice the "first" benefit out of helix swap.

 

[IceCap]

I had a 06 900 with the SLP setup and it ran really well. I would do the lower gearing first 19/42.... then fine tune your clutching from there.

 

[guidoxpress]

the 19/42 gearing wont work on th 05 without a custom chain..

so in my opinion, i would go 19/41 unless you do some serious climbing then 18/40. you can get the gears on ebay all day for pretty cheap...

im pretty sure i have a set of 18/40 gears laying around ill sell for like $40 shipped (USA).

as for the helix...its hard to get the word out there, but zman can back me up. Indydan was the FIRST one to figure out the 66.44.46 helix being the best for the 900s, BUT that was bnak in 2006...and its not what he recommeds anymore per say...

the 66 will work great, but its more of a flat land style helix. if you do climbing, he prefers to use a 58.46.46, or 58.44.46...broken down to this (if you cant find these exact ones)

as long as the FIRST number in the helix is from 58-66

as long as the SECOND number in the helix is 44 or 46 (46 ideal)

as long as the THIRD number in the helix is a 46..the 46 is BY FAR the BEST final angle for the 700/900 chassis...

you can get these helix all day on ebay as well, remember the older SKIDOO also used the TSS-98 secondary and has the same helixs

hope it helps bud,

 

[02sedona]

How does the 58 differ in feel from a 66 or 64 start angle on the helix? Is there just more belt squeeze initially with the 58?

 

[guidoxpress]

the helix angle decoding goes like this.

--the first number "66" is the initial angle of the helix, where you begin the shift, from a dead stop.

--the second number "46" is the finish angle. this is the angle for most of the shift, in mid and top speed shift angle.

--the third number "46" is the length in inches of the primary angle in 100ths of and inch. 36 is also known as 0.46". the steeper the angle, the faster the shift, the less side belt pressures the higher chances of belt slippage. conversely, the lower the angle, the slower the shift rate, more belt squeeze and less belt slippage.

--so with all that said, your sled will pull harder with the higher angle helix and load the engine more. if you are not able to pull rpms or are burning belts like crazy, then go with the shallower helix to correct things.

--the lower the helix angle, the lower the clutch heat as well, and proper clutching, belt tension is VERY critical to this as well.

--and the black/white secondary spring will help that belt squeeze no matter what angle your using..its the prefect spring for the 900s

but there are also variables on belt heat/sled power like track length, gearing, snow conditions, elevation ect..

 

[whetsel.m]

helix angle

So for more top speed I would go steeper finish angle. Heavier finish on the secondary spring and then a lighter primary finish to bring rpm's back up?

 

[guidoxpress]

from what i am reading it maeks sense..

i am VERY good with clutching i think, but the helix angles is the only thing i am having a hard time grasping..

the 58.46.46 is what Indydan told me to use for mountain sleds, and the 66.46.46 is better suied for flatlanders..

the info above is what i pieced together from a search online..

i used the 66 helix on all my sleds in the past, changed them all to 58 and to be 100% honest, i cannot tell much of a difference...i never had an issue with belt heat, slipping or trenching..

i dont trench much now, but i think its more of being a better rider then i was before?

so this is a toss up for me, lol. hopefully someone can chime in thats a helix guru...i know SW is a genius at everything IMO.

if your primary weights and springs are what your suppose to run, i would play with gearing, helix angles

 

[02sedona]

i used the 66 helix on all my sleds in the past, changed them all to 58 and to be 100% honest, i cannot tell much of a difference...i never had an issue with belt heat, slipping or trenching..

What do you think the 58* helix changed in the initial response of the sled as you get up to the top of the snow? I have a 58-42-46 to try out. Unfortunately our snow is melting fast here in Tahoe.