NEW 04 Vert Edge 800 upgrades? Track questions?

[Horn Hunter]

Hello all. I have a few questions, and I am looking for some input.
First off, I am new to this forum. I have been reading threads here for a few years, but I finally just joined. Thank you in advance for your input.
I have had a few sleds in the past, 97 MXZ, 99 RMK, and now… a “NEW”, “USED” craigslist treasure find! I picked up a 2004 RMK Vertical Edge 800, 151” with a total of 480 miles on it and it had only been ridden 10-12 times. The owner bought it new in 2004, and him and his wife rode it a few times that winter and the next, then parked it in his enclosed trailer. There it sat for 6 years, until I saw his craigslist ad! We put some fresh gas in it, fired it up, I loaded her up and hauled it home. He had the original cash receipt when he bought it new and everything. Not a scratch on it… never sat outside... 100% factory…
So… First thing, I am putting a SLP big bearing kit on the crank, as I have heard a lot about crank issues. Supposedly this should fix it, and prevent anything from happening in the future. Other thoughts on this?
I am also looking for some input on the track and other things I can do to the sled. I am considering putting a CE 2.5” track on it. Any thoughts on that track, or other tracks? Will putting a different aftermarket track, such as the CE 2.5, actually benefit me much more than my factory 2” track? I am trying to decide if the money is worth the benefit of that track compared to the factory one?
Any other “must do’s” for this snowmobile? I think it is a pretty good sled, and since it has been around for a while, I have the ability to upgrade a pretty much new sled from 2004 to correct any deficiencies or problems this sled may have in the future.
I live in MT, ride mainly 5,000 - 8,000 ft, and use it for some hunting. Any help, thoughts, or ideas are appreicated.
Thanks!!

 

[sled_guy]

No way would I put the big bearing on it if it only has 480 miles on it. The big bearing is not the end all fix. I would spend the money on having the clutch checked/serviced completely and then have it balanced, then go ride.

Putting much bigger than a 2" track under them requires different drivers or a drop/roll of the chaincase. Not worth it in my opinion if you aren't really upgrading the power of the motor a bunch. At the most I would see about finding a 159x2" track from that same time (I think you can buy them from tracksusa actually) if you are looking for more traction. I would not do anything until I rode it through.

Stock skis suck, I'd recommend either SLP SLTs or Powder Pros with the Carl's cut.

Good shocks like ZeroPros will make a world of difference in how it rides and even performance in the powder.

If you are looking for more power, the SLP single works wonderful on them.

sled_guy

 

[Leardriver]

That is such a good machine just like it is. The SLP pipe is a great idea, though.

I went to newer machines, and came back to an '05 800 RMK. They just flat work.

 

[Ryanlilly]

X2!, Don't waste your money on the big bearing. Even with the big bearing these engines can still have the same issue. Get your clutch balanced and serviced!

 

[Horn Hunter]

Thanks guys. I will talk with the mechanic about getting the clutch serviced and ballanced. That will save me a lot of cash if I dont do the bearing kit.
I am going to look at skis too... that is one other thing I forgot to mention in my original post.

 

[Goinboardin]

Just box up your primary clutch and send it to Indy Specialties in Welch, MN. He'll take of it, make it better than new (properly shim the spider and balance it). With that low of mileage there probably aren't any worn out bushings, but maybe.

Check oil pump calibration, look at the plugs, jet for your altitude/temps, shoot some grease in all the zerks (skid, front suspension, jackshaft bearing and driveshaft bearing), wash the belt and clutches, then try it out. You'll probably want to change out the clutch springs, and may need to change helix and weights to get the most out of it, but if you plan on a new pipe I'd hold off on that.

Awesome bang the buck type upgrades: SLP airhorn airbox kit, SLP flowrites in the dash, better skis, running board inserts (I really like my WRP toughboards), shock upgrades, SLP pipe (I prefer twins, they really aren't finicky like people say, but the single is great too), bar riser (I have a 4" and its a good fit for me-6'4"), and a highrise seat.

 

[wellfed777]

boardin hit on the head
raise those bars!
better boards or snow el. ( best overall upgrade)
slp single ( you can find good deals on used ones in the swapmeet)
polaris gripper skis are cheap good skis
ride the heck out of it
next year camo ex. track and boss seat
good luck

 

[tdblakes]

boardin hit on the head
raise those bars!
better boards or snow el. ( best overall upgrade)
slp single ( you can find good deals on used ones in the swapmeet)
polaris gripper skis are cheap good skis
ride the heck out of it
next year camo ex. track and boss seat
good luck

My bro-in-law is kinda in the same boat as the OP but he needs a set of skis. I can get ahold of a cheap set of Grippers off an '09 RMK, do they just bolt straight onto the edge or do I need to get a mounting kit so they fit right on the edge?

 

[wellfed777]

shoot i'm having a hard time remembering if they were a strait bolt on
i may have used my rubber bushings from the original edge skis
maybe some one else will chime in if i get a chance i'll check

 

[2XM3]

kens sports had some great closeout deals on 2" camo ext tracks, the 162-15-2 was like 400.00 works very well on a stock chaincase sled.

here ya go http://www.kenssports.com/eshopprod_cat_1930-15502_product_793661.15x162x2_Challenger.htm


that will make a huge change

Oh 1 other must do, change your water pump belt, see my other thread on the new hd belt, and carry one spare. also always add a bit or oil to each tank, remember if ya lose your waterpump belt you lose your oil as well. Premix will help to save it if it fails.

 

[X2Freeride]

As was said above check your crank run out, if its in spec which it should be don't waste the time Dan with the big bearing kit. Have your clutch balanced correctly from Indy an like was said and you will have a heck of a machine.

 

[Horn Hunter]

Thanks for the input guys! Next week I am bringing it to my buddies shop and we are going to start going through things...

Snow will be here soon!!!

 

[cascadesnowjunky]

The big bearing kit dont solve the problem in those big blocks it just prolongs the problem. Most of the cases are not machined correctly there is not the right pinch on the bearings, or in many circumstances the clutch is out of balance and beats the pto side of the cases out. As I said above the big bearing will help only because it has more surface area and takes longer to beat the cases out. I would definately do as stated above and at least have the clutch balanced by indy specialties. Dan will probably tell you it would be wise to send your cases to him to have them checked before they are wasted and beyond repair, although you should make it onother season and be fine. You may also be lucky and have one of the correctly machined cases. Another big thing is to make very sure your sled is warmed up good before you take off, the cases will expand way faster than the crank and you will loose some or all of the crush on the bearings and that will be what beats the cases out. The bearings will start to spin or vibrate in the case and cause them to wear grooves in the case. A pipe and airbox mod are a must on those, they really wake up. As stated above twins work very well and are not finicky at all, I ran psi twins on mine with Jack Struthers porting and it flat made power. Good luck and good find you should have a great season.

 

[locknload]

The grippers are a direct bolt on, work awesome!!
SLP single
SLP torque and push arm
High rise BOSS seat
You will LOVE IT with these add ons!!

 

[shawkins]

Tear it down!

I install the new triple wide bearing (ONE PIECE) in all of the 800 big block motors I work on. To date after two years I have not lost a single crank. I can't say the same about a brand new stock crank (lasted six rides) or the many SLP cranks I had rebuilt, or the two (YES 2) Indy Dan cranks I have broken. In each and every case the cases were either measured and determined to be good or were line bored. Several bottom ends were assembled by SLP or Indy Dan. I do have to mention I am not pushing blame on anyone here, and Indy Dan really stands behind his work. He sent two replacements out free of charge! I am only trying to inform you of what I have seen. There is not much to installing the triple wide bearing but you do have to modify the cases and the crank seal slightly to run it. From all of the broken cranks I have seen this one piece triple wide bearing will fix all of the problems EXCEPT for the pto end snapping off outside the motor. I can give details to anyone interested on how to put this in, just contact me. These are really finicky motors as far as the cranks and cases are concerned and a little preventative work goes a long way's.