The information provided here shows the advantages of using C3 Power Sports carbon fiber products, but is applicable to other methods of weight loss as well.
Reducing the weight of a snowmobile improves many of its characteristics such as responsiveness, acceleration/deceleration, floatation, and climbing ability. When carbon fiber is used to replace other materials to reduce the weight, increased strength and rigidity are also achieved. On top of all that, carbon fiber looks simply amazing.
By reducing weight, the machine becomes more responsive to rider inputs (easier to turn, lean, and control in the air). This is because the moment of inertia of the machine is reduced. The moment of inertia depends not only on weight, but the distribution of weight. Reduction of weight furthest away from the center of gravity will have the largest effect on response (C3 front and rear suspension components, and hood). This is also why manufacturers try to position the weight of the motor and rider close together. The weight of a given motor can't really be reduced much, but moving it close to the rider allows the rider to manoeuvre the machine easier. Anything that makes the machine require less force to manoeuvre will also decrease rider fatigue.
Weight reduction also means it takes less force to accelerate/decelerate the snowmobile and allows it to float on top of the snow easier because there is less pressure between the skis/track and the snow so these characteristics are also improved. A snowmobile's acceleration and climbing ability is closely related to its overall Power-to-Weight Ratio. The overall weight is the total running weight of snowmobile including fuel, oil, coolant, and rider. Generally speaking with a properly tuned and clutched sled, the greater the ratio, the greater the performance. The math would appear much more favourable for gains due to weight loss if we were working with dry weights only, but we are going to add 60lbs for fuel/oil/coolant and a 170lb rider to our calculations for a realistic comparison.
Here are a couple examples to look at:
Example 1
A stock M8 that weighs 700lbs (470lbs dry + 60lbs fuel/oil/coolant + 170lbs rider) and has 150hp will have a Power-to-Weight Ratio of 0.214hp/lb.
If we take this same sled and remove 44lbs using a C3 carbon fiber hood, and C3 front and rear suspension kits, the Power-to-Weight Ratio goes up to 0.229hp/lb. This is equivalent to adding 10hp.
It is cheaper to just add 10hp to the motor with a pipe, but remember that this is not the only benefit we are going after, it is just a by-product of removing weight. No motor modifications or tuning is required, and stock reliability and drivability are retained. The carbon hood is also stronger than stock, and looks awesome.
Example 2
A turbocharged 4 stroke Apex that weighs 855lbs (625lbs dry + 60lbs fuel + 170lbs rider) and has 280hp will have a Power-to-Weight Ratio of 0.327hp/lb. On this particular sled we can easily remove 100lbs with a C3 Chassis and suspension system which would put the Power-to-Weight Ratio at 0.371hp/lb. In this case, it is equivalent to adding 37hp without having to turn up the boost.
Weight reduction modifications are excellent for people who are inexperienced with tuning, looking to improve handling/responsiveness, want a unique look, or have already done the power modifications and are looking to maximize those gains with one of the most advanced materials to ever be used on a snowmobile.
http://www.c3powersports.com
Reducing the weight of a snowmobile improves many of its characteristics such as responsiveness, acceleration/deceleration, floatation, and climbing ability. When carbon fiber is used to replace other materials to reduce the weight, increased strength and rigidity are also achieved. On top of all that, carbon fiber looks simply amazing.
By reducing weight, the machine becomes more responsive to rider inputs (easier to turn, lean, and control in the air). This is because the moment of inertia of the machine is reduced. The moment of inertia depends not only on weight, but the distribution of weight. Reduction of weight furthest away from the center of gravity will have the largest effect on response (C3 front and rear suspension components, and hood). This is also why manufacturers try to position the weight of the motor and rider close together. The weight of a given motor can't really be reduced much, but moving it close to the rider allows the rider to manoeuvre the machine easier. Anything that makes the machine require less force to manoeuvre will also decrease rider fatigue.
Weight reduction also means it takes less force to accelerate/decelerate the snowmobile and allows it to float on top of the snow easier because there is less pressure between the skis/track and the snow so these characteristics are also improved. A snowmobile's acceleration and climbing ability is closely related to its overall Power-to-Weight Ratio. The overall weight is the total running weight of snowmobile including fuel, oil, coolant, and rider. Generally speaking with a properly tuned and clutched sled, the greater the ratio, the greater the performance. The math would appear much more favourable for gains due to weight loss if we were working with dry weights only, but we are going to add 60lbs for fuel/oil/coolant and a 170lb rider to our calculations for a realistic comparison.
Here are a couple examples to look at:
Example 1
A stock M8 that weighs 700lbs (470lbs dry + 60lbs fuel/oil/coolant + 170lbs rider) and has 150hp will have a Power-to-Weight Ratio of 0.214hp/lb.
If we take this same sled and remove 44lbs using a C3 carbon fiber hood, and C3 front and rear suspension kits, the Power-to-Weight Ratio goes up to 0.229hp/lb. This is equivalent to adding 10hp.
It is cheaper to just add 10hp to the motor with a pipe, but remember that this is not the only benefit we are going after, it is just a by-product of removing weight. No motor modifications or tuning is required, and stock reliability and drivability are retained. The carbon hood is also stronger than stock, and looks awesome.
Example 2
A turbocharged 4 stroke Apex that weighs 855lbs (625lbs dry + 60lbs fuel + 170lbs rider) and has 280hp will have a Power-to-Weight Ratio of 0.327hp/lb. On this particular sled we can easily remove 100lbs with a C3 Chassis and suspension system which would put the Power-to-Weight Ratio at 0.371hp/lb. In this case, it is equivalent to adding 37hp without having to turn up the boost.
Weight reduction modifications are excellent for people who are inexperienced with tuning, looking to improve handling/responsiveness, want a unique look, or have already done the power modifications and are looking to maximize those gains with one of the most advanced materials to ever be used on a snowmobile.
http://www.c3powersports.com
