I finally pulled the trigger 09 M8 Sno Pro - now what mods do I need to get started?

[Steve D]

These: http://bd-xtreme.com/bdxpro-liteserieshoodscreens.aspx
(or something similar)

Otherwise if the nosecone packs full of snow, you can't open the stupid hood. I like the bdx ones because they use an adhesive, looks really clean.

 

[Frostbite]

Good call, that's what I am leaning toward as well but, with the BDX airbox, of course. The only thing I don't like about it is the little 'tabs" on the two lower front vents. I bet I can cut them off if possible but, they are probably there for a purpose.

http://www.aftermarketproducts.com/catalog.php?mach_type=S

 

[Bounty Hunter]

New M8 goodies

I put the D&D shim kit ,D&D can love it . I like riding it as much as my M1000. Kit deed amazing things.

 

[mrquick68]

frosty - ditch the knee pads from cat and just buy MX kneed pads to wear yourself. Good Fox pads are $15 and keep your knees and shins safe all the time. Plus the knee pads look g-a-y.

BDX deflection adjust is cheaper than the AMP kit i believe. The AMP gauge cage seems cool, but is quiet pricey and unnecessary if you install the BDX intake (heat will escape through the stock intake vents next to the head lights).

 

[sledbilly]

alot of the 09 xfires and some M's came from the factory missing the coolant overflow hose. easy fix to do yourself

cat is replacing the oil pumps that have the cam arm sticking. I fixed mine by tightening on the return spring (see posts here and on HCS). dealer has agreed to replace and will get done at end of season. seems to be a widespread problem. my oil loading at idle was ridiculous.

the loose brackets were on my sled. just posted to let you know to take a look at. probably came loose during first couple hundred miles as the 800 will vibrate like a motha during breakin.

powervalves were not set correctly on my sled

I'm pretty sure the washer thing on the secondary was on the 09 F8's

the fox air pump has the gauge built in.

minor stuff in my book, except the oil pump. But then I like turning a wrench and paying attention to that kind of stuff.

For crying out loud. The list of stuff I have have the dealer check before I take the sled home is getting longer than my mod list.

1. coolant overflow hose - what am i looking for here?
2. sticking oil pump cam arm, you can see it from topside - what's the fix?
3. loose bracket with rubber seat that pipe sits on, my sled
4. loose exhaust servo bracket, my sled
5. check power valve cable length
6. check routing of pipe sensor wire, reports wire is delicate
7. my clutch cover rattled, small adjustment
8. Wasn't there a recall/ update for some washer in the secondary clutch
9. The dealer is installing my SLP pipe too so I have make sure the rubber block under the pipe is trimmed a bit so the hood doesn't melt.
10. I have make sure the VSB bar mounts are tight and the one just forward of the track on the belly pan is tight also.
11. I have to make sure I get a shock air pressure gauge.
12. ......................what else?

 

[Dam Dave]

Cat sells a very nice vent kit for the nose vents, its in the Accessories catalog, 19.95 made by Frogskinz, very clean, no tabs sticking out all over

 

[superfast]

Cat sells a very nice vent kit for the nose vents, its in the Accessories catalog, 19.95 made by Frogskinz, very clean, no tabs sticking out all over

yes a budy of mine has them and they look very good thought about getting a set myself

 

[FlynHigh]

Stick with the Arctic CAT synthetic APV oil your power valves will stay cleaner and your crank will last longer. I personally think a left handed throttle is a waste of money on a M series sled. They are so easy to pull over to the left because the motor is offset to the left, clutches and diamond drive are on the left, so the weight is in your favor on the left side.

 

[Knizer8hun]

Suggestion here....you bought one of the best sleds on snow today..... could you just pull the thing over and ride it?


The way you ask for suggestions, yet list all the products YOU think you'll need.... this thread seems kind of like an excuse to brag? Atleast you're regarding it to a wicked sled.

 

[Frostbite]

Kinzer8hun, I am not attempting to brag by any stretch. I haven't even picked up the sled yet. I'm brand new to Arctic Cats and trying to learn from the folks on here what works and what does not.

Maybe all my questions come from my last new sled being a 03 RX-1M. For the last seven seasons I had to know and apply every trick in the book just to make the sled to semi competitive. On the RX-1 forum we all openly shared ideas (like here) and I guess I just enjoy sharing what works and what does not.

On my previous forum I was very happy to be able to help out a lot of people new to four strokes. Now, I am the one asking for assistance. It's nothing more than that. I have read an incredible amount of stuff in the last several months. I have written down mods I might like to try. I'm just asking for help in validating what's worth spending money on before I waste money on what turns out to be snake oil.

I sure appreciate all the help.

Frostbite

 

[XFIRE800]

you can get reverse capable scratchers. they are a stiff type of cable. i think you can get them from firstplaceparts.com . i picked some up at the store but i dont know if they are on the website, if they arent just give them a call and they will help you out. We have them on an 09 xfire 800 141 with a 2.25 track and a 153' M1000 and they work great. they are called slide kicks

 

[XFIRE800]

yea theyre on the website under misc. products $69.95

 

[kane13]

IMO thats what these threads are for information, i to came off a 04rx1 and have built and continue to off what others have done to their m series and so far its working out great there is a lot of good advice on here, when summer comes is when i will be doing a lot of work on my 08 m8 the only thing left this winter is the bdx 55/65 gears i cant wait till next year on those. One thing you will notice is it won't ride as nice down the trails as the yami but thats where the comparison ends, its seems the more you do the better she goes and there are so many mods to add probably the best thing a guy can do though is gears ,vents and a turbo they really rock with a turbo and for the price you payed you are right you could put one on just about with the savings i wish they were around 2500.00 maybe one day.

 

[HANDSOME]

Frosty helped me out on the other forum alot. He is not bragging at all. Congrats Frosty, I think you made an excellent choice and maybe some boyesen rad valves would a great addition to M.

 

[bgreen776]

Whoever said you dont need a skid plate is crazy or doesn't ride in diverse terrain. I hit a stump at about 1 mph last year, took out the air box, hood, belly pan/nose cone, and bent the bulkhead. The stump hit the belly pan about half way between the bumper and the a-arm. Get a skid plate! Cheap insurance.

I also replaced the plastic belly pan sheet under the engine with a piece of 1/8" 2024. This should keep the bulkhead from bending when you tap something just right like I did.

If you do any water crossings or ride any brush, dont install the belly pan/nose cone vents if you do a BDX intake. The screens wont take the abuse of running brush, and they will take on water. Same with the flow rights they send you for you wheel wells.

 

[kane13]

Here are little better picture of my vents i posted earlier they are great vents and my clutches are always cool.

 

[SLED2SHRED]

You are on the right path, Congradulations! Lots of good advice. I wish there was a better intake. Water and brush no good. Vents for heat 4 sure. Coolair. Lefty a must use mine all the time. Goldfinger. I bet your eyes are strained, your tired and can't wait to tear it up. I would only do things that don't effect warranty.

 

[SLED2SHRED]

Put some heat tape on oil injection bottle. I had 1 get warm and melt to only leak when too full. I had a new one put on along with a new SLP Y-pipe that leaked on a weld.

 

[sledbilly]

Cat sells a very nice vent kit for the nose vents, its in the Accessories catalog, 19.95 made by Frogskinz, very clean, no tabs sticking out all over

didn't realize cat sold those. can someone post a pic of what the AC front vents look like. they install from the backside?

 

[XFIRE800]

didn't realize cat sold those. can someone post a pic of what the AC front vents look like. they install from the backside?

No they stick on the front, it is the first three vents in front. Its dark but hopefully you can still see them ok, click on the pic and it will get bigger.