M8 Turbo How Reliable

[Boat2Sled]

Hi guys, new here, few questions for the knowledgeable folks here.


Coming off an 04 Cat 900 and I want to get into an M8 with a Turbo.
Just looking for the Do's and Don'ts on a purchase of used or if I decide to build. This is a broad spectrum of questions but here are some highlights.

• Any Bad Years to stay away from?
• Are Intercoolers a tuning nightmare?
• Is it a pain to adjust boost and tune plus dealing with elevation changes constantly?
• How Reliable @ 6-10 pounds of Boost, Should I just plan on having a backup sled and breaking down alot?
• What usually is the weak link? Diamond drive, reeds, crank,?

I'm pretty set on a Turbo and any input to get me educated would be appreciated.

 

[Tree Boss]

I just picked up on 09 with a Twisted Turbo already on it. The sled has 1100 miles on it and it was took care of. The guy provided me video of the sled and also offered to come on my first ride with me on the sled to show how to make adjustments to the fuel controller.

The only worry about my purchase was he has never opened up the diamond drive so that was left up to me. I haven't opened it up yet but that is what I will do after huntin season. I asked a ton of questions and the guy was very informative about everything and hated to see the sled go. I think the best years to get a turboed sled would be 09 or 10 just cause the chassis gets better and so do the tracks.

hope this helps a little.

 

[backcountryislife]

1600 miles at higher boost haven't pushed a button. (cutler stage II) pretty darn reliable imo.

 

[b1dodge]

I had about 5600 all under boost before a put new pistons in it end of last season on my 08. Before I did I did a compression test and was 120 pto 120 mag. It was a preventative measure only!!!! APV oil... egts at 1150 .. 8000-8100 rpm @ 10k cpc stage 2 and NEVER touched the box!! I have a SC Yamaha Nytro and I hope its as reliable as my cat.

 

[glassman]

Well I'm no turbo pro, and this is my second turbo sled, but i hafta say this turbo cat has lived up to, and beyond my expectations. I had a rough spot until i figured out the tuning procedures, and there is obviously more maintenace things to worry about, but it is well worth it. The only things I can recommend are DONT ride a race gas set up if you run a pump gas. You will only crave the power. Spend the money, buy a race set up and you always have the option to turn it it up or down. Reeds are a weak spot, but not at lower boost. Be prepared to double up stockers or but some decent aftermarket ones. I ran TDR last season with no probs. I understand the mini intercollers are a definate yes as they dont affect the throttle response, and cool the intake temps enough that you can run a little higer boost on the same given fuel.
I have learned that the 09-10 are nicer for the electronic reverse and the diamond drive, but I think the rest is basically the same. The adjusting boost is simple, but the EBC is gonna make life a whole lot simpler. Now if you could only get a self adjusting ECU, everyone would ride a boosted sled, imo. Be prepared to pay more for each ride, but the smiles are worth it!!
Please correct me if im wrong!

 

[WyoBoy1000]

Get a hold of twisted, I'm still not sure about the bd kit with them always coming out with fixes or reflashes or what ever, I think they have it figured out by now but who knows. I know the 09 is prob the easiest and most reliable at this point, the 2010 with the bd kit was finicky but they say they have it fixed, said the power supply was not as good as the way they do it now(they have a update for it). Cutler is always impressive and does his best. Pretty much I would find a local dealer that installs the kits (and rides one) then you will have good support and backing. The m8 is the most reliable 2 stroke on the market by far.

 

[RACINSTATION]

M8 is THE most reliable turbo sled around. Good choice cowboy!

 

[hatchers]

Hi guys, new here, few questions for the knowledgeable folks here.


Coming off an 04 Cat 900 and I want to get into an M8 with a Turbo.
Just looking for the Do's and Don'ts on a purchase of used or if I decide to build. This is a broad spectrum of questions but here are some highlights.

• Any Bad Years to stay away from? 09-11...the 07-08 need more cash to make them current and better
• Are Intercoolers a tuning nightmare? i guess some like the mini with a fan, i had the huge intercooler and all it did want act as a interheater and eat reeds, huge lag, total dog!
• Is it a pain to adjust boost and tune plus dealing with elevation changes constantly? nope, the learning curve is smaller if you get the chance to ride with someone who knows the kit well
• How Reliable @ 6-10 pounds of Boost, Should I just plan on having a backup sled and breaking down alot? not at high elevation, 6lbs is a total waste of money if you ask me, 8 is so much better, every 2psi step change from on up is a big deal, at 10K elevation and up this M8 is killer at 8-16lbs....so fun and fluid
• What usually is the weak link? Diamond drive, reeds, crank,? the crank is bomb proof, the 08 and older DD is a total POS, newer is better, but you need to maintain it more often, ive got a stack of DD parts, reeds need to be double stacked, the add some stock M1000 to the stockers, they are different but it does not matter, no cutting, just double em up and go....

I'm pretty set on a Turbo and any input to get me educated would be appreciated.

my thoughts in red

 

[Boat2Sled]

M1000 Piped VS M8 Turbo

Thanks for all of the replies guys!

One more question crosses my mind. Who can describe the comparision between a piped M1000 and an M8 Turbo. Is it still a night and day difference in favor of the M8? Also, I have never been on a Turbo sled : ( ........ How much lag does one expect out of the turbo to spool up? Do you guys loose some throttle respose when picking some tricky lines through the trees?

 

[RACINSTATION]

An M8 at 6-8 lbs of boost runs like a really strong M1000.

at 10lbs plus it is stronger......

and at 12 plus it is just right!







Disclaimer:This will vary based on elevation. This is based on my experience at 7-10,000feet.

 

[WyoBoy1000]

At 8lbs it will walk away from a m1000, the m1000 seems like it will keep up but when you really need the go it just flat pulls away. The lags is barely there with a well setup turbo and will still do anything a well tuned piped m1000 will. In other words if a m1000 is keeping up at 8 lbs you havent found a good enough challenge.

 

[dubbs]

Go for the gold man!

My best advise would be to just go for the gold and buy a top of the line complete kit. I really recommend OVS, I have had awesome luck with my Tial kit... It came with everything I needed and great support.

The best way to learn about them is to tackle it all yourself. If you are a mechanically inept person you will be able to install any of the kits that are available. And if you have problems out in the back 40 you will have a clue where to start looking...

I don't want to do any bashing but I had a Boondocker kit and really don't like the controller compared to the PL box... The customer support or knowledge wasn't even close either IMO.

Once you get boost you will never go back... It's redick

 

[Dano702]

Lots of good advice here. My 8 has been rock solid, i am doing a set of slugs after two years. But it ran flawless every ride all day every day. I am just trying to play it safe, so i bought a set of oem slugs. The belt life has been very good also, better than some stock sleds i have rode with. Just do your self a favor and buy a race gas kit with four injectors after the butterfly's.

 

[Mod800R]

nice info here!

am at low elevation 1750ft...and still went with a 09 twisted m8 over a piped 1000 because of reliability and power...am sure i could get a twin piped/ported 1000 to hit over 200 real hp...but most here have belt and crank troubles...and a soggy throttle responce...its nice to have a bone stock engine...and turn a dial and add more race fuel to beat the **** out of your buddies...lol

i had a 50 hp shot boondocker nos equiped 07 800R 144 before and i loved the **** out of it...awesome bottom end and ripped to 8600rpm with the skis up all the time...major fun sled...

my advice is to do your homework, but ovs has the tial propane kit...thats where my money would go now...

they are addictive and money sucking! but the smile cant be beat off your face!

 

[glassman]

I dont think an m8 at 7-8 lbs is as huge of a difference as some guys may claim. I have ridden with a few well set up 1000's and they were formidable competition. I could take them in the deep stuff on a good poke but only by 20 or so feet and also alot faster. Now bump it up to 12 lbs and say goodbye. I am mainly a boondocker in the trees and the turbo is awesome with the instant throttle response and NOW track speed. It just jumps up on top and goes. The power of the turbo is so lineal it is almost like riding an electric machine, not overwhelming at first but gets moving in a hurry. I know the 1000s have big bottom end but can they hit 60mph track speed in about 1 second?

 

[toesmack]

The 1000 will have better bottom end, but the M8T will absolutely SMOKE the 1000 in the open. Add to that less power loss in a turbo due to increased altitude, and the gap continues to widen.

Cutler makes a great kit, and you cannot beat Dale's service before and after the sale. I know he sent out tons of update kits last year, not because there was an actual problem, he just found better performing stuff!

Go with a race gas kit, you will be much happier and far more impressed. I have ridden quite a few, and the 8 is just a great sled to boost. Will plunk down the cash for mine in the next few weeks.

 

[b1dodge]

The higher in elevation...the bigger the difference... A drag race at 7500 feet between my 8lb m8 and my m1000 with a ypipe, can and clutching is about 3-4 links. Ride them up the trail superbowl at 11500 + ....the M1000 looks like its tied to a stump... The m8 never stops pulling when the m1000 starts gasping for air.... Dont missunderstand me I believe the m1000 is king of production sleds but no match for a reasonably tuned m8t at any boost level at elevation

 

[doughboy]

The 1000 will have better bottom end, but the M8T will absolutely SMOKE the 1000 in the open. Add to that less power loss in a turbo due to increased altitude, and the gap continues to widen.

Cutler makes a great kit, and you cannot beat Dale's service before and after the sale. I know he sent out tons of update kits last year, not because there was an actual problem, he just found better performing stuff!

Go with a race gas kit, you will be much happier and far more impressed. I have ridden quite a few, and the 8 is just a great sled to boost. Will plunk down the cash for mine in the next few weeks.

toesmack, You will not regret the stage III cuter kit. I was thrilled to find that mine will run as low as 7lbs so if I need to get home on pump gas I can. DB