2018 Cat Engine

[mountianguy]

We have all been hearing rumors for a while now on the new engine or engines from AC.
I started this to get everybody's ideas, wants and predictions out there.
Please keep this post positive, as in Alberta now we have enough real problems and lots of goverment help that we can comment on if you want to be negative. Thanks

Here is my 2018 list for the Proclimb

Engine : 875 direct injection (same as the 600) 180 hp ish

Chassis : same as the 2017 mountain cat with more weight reduction, better boards and a belt drive
I would like tool less hood removal really not that hard to do, better seat storage and under hood belt storage, get the 20 lb muffler down to 10 I could live with that, install a snow flap that is meant for deep snow, there is a lot of little things but I don't want this to be a bitch session.

Clutching : I like the clutching only recommendation is more spring choices and adjustable weights

Skis : They are better than before but still have room for improvement

Suspension : my 2016 works well, I found it took a while to tune it for how I ride but that's all in the rider.

I have a 16 ltd I am happy with but the changes above my mind may change.

 

[gibsons]

Is the steering post better this year, or does it still wobble around like a limp d!nk?

 

[Lund]

There is a new engine coming from Cat, they have been working on it for almost 3yrs now. Displacement is unknown and rumors put it from 850-860?? It is going to be more then just a big bore 800, this is why it's still in the works. Durability with emission standards has been a big concern with the added displacement and hp.

If i were to guess, it will be the best engine in the industry to date in 2strokes installed in a snowmobile. Suzuki engines are on pare with Yamaha's and far exceed made in USA and European crap, always has.

 

[Clode]

I suspect something in the 900cc range again....an extra 50cc is a waste of time, dynotech shows the 850doo has a whopping 5hp over the 800

The current 800 cant be taken to 170hp easily so it better make more than 170 to make it worth the engineering

 

[Lund]

I suspect something in the 900cc range again....an extra 50cc is a waste of time, dynotech shows the 850doo has a whopping 5hp over the 800

The current 800 cant be taken to 170hp easily so it better make more than 170 to make it worth the engineering

I agree, 50cc is basically a selling feature that people fall into and as we can see it works.
Basically its a safe way to say we have a bigger, stronger motor then the competition without having to worry about it blowing up. What the extra 50cc gains can be had through good porting and head designing.
But i was told by Cat that they are attempting to get in the 170-75hp range and they have been successful but not with emissions.

 

[Allseasons]

Engine: I'd welcome a 900-1000 pp with open arms. But 800-900 works if it has a smooth delivery of power from 3000-8500 rpm. My ltd doesn't seem to wake up unless I'm over 7200+.
Chassis: I like it heavier. I like the strength. I hit an early season rock hard and I got bucked, barely scuffed paint. But they need to update boards, pitiful it hasn't been done
Im happy with track and clutching, the problem with a new motor is going to be clutching it.
I'm also on board for a belt drive, but over engineer it to hold up with the 3" please
Time for some new handle bars and controls, 10+ years with the current setup.
Gauges: I don't look down often because why? I'm pushing forward. But AC, can we please do something with the gauge, get a motor temp on there. They don't seem to want to warrantee cold seizes, but Christ, how the heck do we know what temp the motor is???

I like my 16ltd, but first impressions, I don't love it. Im only 120miles in and just starting to play with suspension setup, but I don't feel it rides much different than my built m1000. It rides just as heavy and is underpowered. My opinion obviously. So no, sorry wife, my 2016 wasn't my last Mtn sled purchase. I will be watching for 2018

 

[Lund]

Engine: I'd welcome a 900-1000 pp with open arms. But 800-900 works if it has a smooth delivery of power from 3000-8500 rpm. My ltd doesn't seem to wake up unless I'm over 7200+.
Chassis: I like it heavier. I like the strength. I hit an early season rock hard and I got bucked, barely scuffed paint. But they need to update boards, pitiful it hasn't been done
Im happy with track and clutching, the problem with a new motor is going to be clutching it.
I'm also on board for a belt drive, but over engineer it to hold up with the 3" please
Time for some new handle bars and controls, 10+ years with the current setup.
Gauges: I don't look down often because why? I'm pushing forward. But AC, can we please do something with the gauge, get a motor temp on there. They don't seem to want to warrantee cold seizes, but Christ, how the heck do we know what temp the motor is???

I like my 16ltd, but first impressions, I don't love it. Im only 120miles in and just starting to play with suspension setup, but I don't feel it rides much different than my built m1000. It rides just as heavy and is underpowered. My opinion obviously. So no, sorry wife, my 2016 wasn't my last Mtn sled purchase. I will be watching for 2018

I can virtually tell you by 100% Cat won't have a 900+ displacement engine.
What you are feeling is the difference in displacement from the 800 vs 1000. Its not so much the HP your feeling but more torque differences, that's is why your rpm is different. Much higher on the 8. A 1000 will deliver much higher torque number at a much lower rpm.

 

[Allseasons]

Yes I know, that's why I said an 8-900 with smoother power delivery. The other manufacturers have it nailed, so should cat

 

[mountianguy]

If someone told me the suspension would make as much difference as it does I would not have believed them. I have been riding a long time and the old type of suspensions just didn't make the same changes to the sled as the new stuff does. I was like you and thought it was good but nothing special. It is getting to where its easier to ride and more predictable I am really liking where its going.

 

[mountianguy]

I can virtually tell you by 100% Cat won't have a 900+ displacement engine.
What you are feeling is the difference in displacement from the 800 vs 1000. Its not so much the HP your feeling but more torque differences, that's is why your rpm is different. Much higher on the 8. A 1000 will deliver much higher torque number at a much lower rpm.

Your right with the torque the formula is torque = hp x a constant (5250) divided by the rpm

 

[Lund]

Yes I know, that's why I said an 8-900 with smoother power delivery. The other manufacturers have it nailed, so should cat

I wouldn't really say that, only BRP has a new engine. Yamaha doesn't apply here, unless your attracted to the 4stroke.
And i know i might get burned on this but pass history shows new Rotax are known or prone to failure in around the 2,000km mark and even less. It will be interesting to see if they actually nailed it. I would say, maybe in a couple of season.

 

[kyle019]

As far as the new engine rumours go, I have heard that there is a new engine coming for 2018 from a few reputable cat dealers. Not sure on displacement, but have heard somewhere between that 850-875cc range. Same proclimb chassis though. Wouldn't mind seeing better running boards and some weight loss without sacrificing strength. Cats motors have always been solid, but I had a chance to ride a new 850 Doo and the power is second to non. As far as the proclimb chassis goes, with some suspension tweaks they handle just as well as anything else on the market. Having a motocross background, bikes aren't getting much lighter but manufacturers are making them easier to ride, which is honestly where I think the sled market is heading as they can only be so light without folding in half.

 

[Allseasons]

Stolen from a different site, probably a wish list and not factual, but I'd be buying this sled;

The 17 mountain cat is your base chassis. They will add the new ctec-2 engine in 853cc which comes in 14 lbs lighter than the current suzuki platform. This engine is also about 3" narrower. Running boards are further modified from the mountain cat raised and angled to make them perform narrower on sidehills. Body panels because of the narrower engine and new pipe setup are significantly slimmer both in appearance and in actual measurement (1.95" narrower than the mountain cat at widest point). Overall the plastics, intake, and led lights are 11 lbs lighter than the current setup. TKI is in negotiations to build belt drives for these which if that deal is completed in time is a 9 lb reduction plus another 4 lbs in reduced oil capacity. Because the new engine is so much more efficient the fuel tank was reduced by 1.5 gallons which equates to 12 lbs lost. Snowflap, bumpers, and hardware are shaved for an additional 2.5 lbs lost.

Its not all good news tho. Because of the additional power output from the engine the pipe and muffler did require a little extra material so they came in 4 lbs heavier than the 17.

Total net weight loss of 48.5 lbs. Thats a RTR weight of 508 (20 lbs lighter than the 3" axys). Also because the ecu can be easily reprogramed you can do an pipe kit for just the cost of the pipe and be at 490 lbs ready to ride.

I cannot wait to get mine!!!

 

[togo ripper]

You actually can get engine temp on the current gauge it's kind of a pain and isn't listed anywhere how to do it but it is there,
press and hold two buttons at the same time for 5-10 seconds ( I think both left buttons) display will change in the odometer section, scroll through by pushing top or bottom button, it shows voltage among others, I think temp is number 7, you'll be able to tell as temp climbs for sure, but it resets back to default whenever you shut off the sled

 

[snowcannon]

You actually can get engine temp on the current gauge it's kind of a pain and isn't listed anywhere how to do it but it is there,
press and hold two buttons at the same time for 5-10 seconds ( I think both left buttons) display will change in the odometer section, scroll through by pushing top or bottom button, it shows voltage among others, I think temp is number 7, you'll be able to tell as temp climbs for sure, but it resets back to default whenever you shut off the sled

Is that on a stock gauge or one with a next stage reflash?

 

[Fast6seccamaro]

Is that on a stock gauge or one with a next stage reflash?

Stock Guage shows water temp.

 

[togo ripper]

Bone stock did it on the m1000 all the time

 

[Allseasons]

My 08 definitely did not, and my dealer didn't say a word when I was bitching about my 16 month ago

sorry for the thread hijack. But even still, you shouldn't have to go into a diagnostic mode to get the temp of your machine, or send gauge away to have it fixed. Sillyness. Fix this AC

 

[mountianguy]

I wouldn't really say that, only BRP has a new engine. Yamaha doesn't apply here, unless your attracted to the 4stroke.
And i know i might get burned on this but pass history shows new Rotax are known or prone to failure in around the 2,000km mark and even less. It will be interesting to see if they actually nailed it. I would say, maybe in a couple of season.

I think this is true with any new engine (or product) you never know until it is in the hands of the consumer. AC/ Suzuki is the only one that got the 800 right in 2007 to current, their previous 800 was ok but not reliable like the laydown style developed by AC.

 

[mountianguy]

Stolen from a different site, probably a wish list and not factual, but I'd be buying this sled;

The 17 mountain cat is your base chassis. They will add the new ctec-2 engine in 853cc which comes in 14 lbs lighter than the current suzuki platform. This engine is also about 3" narrower. Running boards are further modified from the mountain cat raised and angled to make them perform narrower on sidehills. Body panels because of the narrower engine and new pipe setup are significantly slimmer both in appearance and in actual measurement (1.95" narrower than the mountain cat at widest point). Overall the plastics, intake, and led lights are 11 lbs lighter than the current setup. TKI is in negotiations to build belt drives for these which if that deal is completed in time is a 9 lb reduction plus another 4 lbs in reduced oil capacity. Because the new engine is so much more efficient the fuel tank was reduced by 1.5 gallons which equates to 12 lbs lost. Snowflap, bumpers, and hardware are shaved for an additional 2.5 lbs lost.

Its not all good news tho. Because of the additional power output from the engine the pipe and muffler did require a little extra material so they came in 4 lbs heavier than the 17.

Total net weight loss of 48.5 lbs. Thats a RTR weight of 508 (20 lbs lighter than the 3" axys). Also because the ecu can be easily reprogramed you can do an pipe kit for just the cost of the pipe and be at 490 lbs ready to ride.

I cannot wait to get mine!!!

I will not hesitate to buy one of these either if this in in fact accurate