Lowering compression to increase reliability? - '13 Pro 800

[MotoSteve]

Ever have a sled that just won't die can hold pinned all day for 4000 miles and no issues? I built my 05 Skidoo with a thick base gasket and it seemed to eliminate all the predet issues and was reliable but was tuned down a little. Motor still going strong at 6000 miles. I thought the reliability made up for slightly less performance and having to rebuild$$ the motor every couple thousand miles.

This brings me to my Polaris that I hear should be rebuilt every 1500 miles. Didn't believe this until everyone I know with this sled is rebuilding motors now from burning them down and other damage caused by that. Anyone ever lower the compression with a thick base gasket on a 13 Pro 800? Most the fuel I find around here is 91 or 90 non ethanol and with the stock 13 I would get det codes unless I ran in ethenol mode.

Now I'm getting my motor rebuilt with the Snow X fix kit. Wondering if I should put a thick gasket or double gasket to lower the compression and increase reliability.

Anyone think this is a good idea?

Thanks!!

 

[JonezyBones]

This is all speculation but I feel it wouldn't help much if any on these motors. I'v heard of guys with turbo's getting better reliability out of these motors with the positive air pressure helping to keep the piston balanced.

I think its more of a balancing issue (rod length to piston height). Thats why most of the better fix kits out there address the issue there.

But if you constantly find yourself setting of the det sensor then your not doing your sled any favors.

This engine may have its down sides and it depends on who you talk to but the older pro's are definitely more vulnerable than the newer pro's.

I'd take a guess that 90/100 with a newer pro engine, as long as you have good fuel and its well oiled then 2000-2500 miles on a top end is doing good and you should be rebuilding around then regardless just because its good maintenance. (regardless of sled brand)

Yeah sure guys are getting higher miles out of X brand sled but there are pro's out there getting higher miles as well. Theres a lot of people that dont come on forums unless they're having issues and want help. Its just the nature of most forums.

My 2 pennies...

 

[black z]

Your money would be much better spent adding a gallon of race fuel, or just using higher octane fuel, rather than adding a spacer or gasket if you're worried about detonation or pre-ignition shortening the life of your engine. Personally, I think the "fix kits" are a band-aid for a poorly designed engine from Polaris. I would never install a spacer or double gasket with a new set of pistons to "fix" this problem. Turn up your oil pump and add a splash to the fuel tank every ride and ride it til it blows.