1000 mile report - Turbo Dynamics EcoTrail kit

[Beerman]

Well, not really 1000 miles, but close enough at 979.

My sled - RTX SE
I'm coming off of a 2006 Apex that had N20 at one point and prior to that a 2000 Thundercat with full Simons CPR engine build (200 hp), so I'm comfortable with high HP sleds and expect a lot.

I installed the TD EcoTrail tune/Super Quiet Muffler/Dalton weights at 0.2 miles. The only time I rode it stock was for 3 feet out of my trailer after picking it up at St Boni Motorsports. After almost 1000 miles the package continues to drive as well as stock and pull like a freight train. I haven't been able to do a proper top speed pull yet as I'm one of those with secondary coil spring bind. I now have the helix shimmed and with a little help from Mother Nature will hit Lake Minnetonka next weekend and see what it will top out at.

EcoTrail Tune: It starts, drives and runs like stock, at least I think it drives like I'd expect a stock sled to do . . . There is no surging, it starts cold, warm and hot with no issues and drives perfectly as far as I'm concerned. The acceleration from off idle or any mph roll to 100 is nothing short of amazing and arm stretching. I'm familiar with high HP sleds and this one puts a smile on my face every time I squeeze the trigger. The power is incredibly smooth and strong. I have an AEM boost gauge and it quickly hits 13 psi and holds during the pull. In very aggressive trail riding, corner to corner blasting it averages 13.8 mpg, which seems to be an improvement since the first couple times on the seat. I'm getting roughly the same mileage as my buddies stock Viper LTX unless we have a lot of straight aways and I go WFO a lot, even then I get ~12 mpg. My "only" regret is not starting with the PowerTrail for the extra HP, but this tune feels 100% factory perfect until you squeeze the trigger, then it just makes me mile.

SuperQuiet Muffler: The build quality and fit os perfect. There's no way that I can see to get one of the bolts in due to the angle and position of the down pipe, but I haven'y had a problem running only 5 bolts. I'm older and like the idea of "speak softly and carry a big stick" so I went with the SQ instead of the TF or any of the other straight through designs. I don't have anything other than the stocker to compare it to, but it wasn't noticeably louder than stock at idle and 3000 rpm in my garage, just deeper and more muscular sounding. I like the idea of a smaller muffler that allows you to get to the chain tensioner quickly, but I've sacrificed that over being "quiet". If I had my way it'd be even quieter so I could hear the turbo, so take my feedback with a grain of salt if you like a louder muffler, I don't and if I could get the HP and be even quieter than stock I would.

Dalton Weights: I don't have anything to compare these to both they work very well in this application. I ran TPI HH in my TCat (by Jeff Simons) and Drag N Flys in my Apex. They engage smoothly and nice and low, about 2800 rpm, pull hard, and keep the rpms right at 8900 like TD says it should. They seem very well matched to the package and like not having to fiddle with anything, they came full set up for this package from TD.

I was reluctant to send my ECU from MN to Quebec and almost went with Evo for this very reason, but I did the research and talked to some knowledgable turbo riders and am very happy with my decision. Ben at TD turned my ECU around in a couple days but it got stuck with the muffler and weights in customs for a week before actually making it to my house, others haven't seem to have had this issue. UPS sent me a bill for $60 for the duty and customs processing, oh well.

If you're on the fence about this tune/package for reliability or drivability, don't be - it's Awesome and seems perfect. I plan to send my ECU in at the end of the season and get the PowerTrail and matching weights. Maybe after another month or 2 Ben will even have other options. I love this package and the performance it offers, zero complaints.

 

[jonlafon1]

Great stuff! Same tune I have , glad your doing good with it.. TD is really gotten great reviews. I cant say anything bad about mine either.. 750 miles

 

[ROCKERDAN]

excellent write up beerman....would love to hear more about the SE ride quality too.

Going toward the SQ with PT maybe this week on Toms sled here, so will have lots of video and radar runs coming up soon, thanks to Tom I got my hands dirty now with this SW and gonna be fun to get my own soon.

Dan

 

[Beerman]

excellent write up beerman....would love to hear more about the SE ride quality too.

Going toward the SQ with PT maybe this week on Toms sled here, so will have lots of video and radar runs coming up soon, thanks to Tom I got my hands dirty now with this SW and gonna be fun to get my own soon.

Dan

Ride quality is awesome, but again I'm comparing this to an Apex 136. I struggled with the decision between 129 and 137 and honestly am glad I went 129. It takes the turns VERY well and the bumps are totally manageable. I'm an aggressive trail rider and while I always thought I needed the longer track, what I really needed was the right chassis, plus a 129 is pretty long compared to the sleds I'm used to. I haven't bottomed it yet and have hit some pretty big jumps, not crazy but have gotten 3' of air, which for me is a lot. Stutter bumps still suck as always but are manageable, this chassis is made to stand up. I wanted the LE's shocks but couldn't find one locally and prefer the color of the SE, I really like the Blue/White.

 

[ROCKERDAN]

I will go 129 too.....the transfer on the 137 is just not there, even with blocks removed today and studded now it wont come up...i gotta loosen the straps to last hole.

I hear the 129 transfers better. We demod the 129 last week but could not tell as they were not studded and just spin

 

[1100saber]

I will go 129 too.....the transfer on the 137 is just not there, even with blocks removed today and studded now it wont come up...i gotta loosen the straps to last hole.

I hear the 129 transfers better. We demod the 129 last week but could not tell as they were not studded and just spin

Last time I spoke to my dealer he had one 129" left......just saying lol

 

[ROCKERDAN]

Last time I spoke to my dealer he had one 129" left......just saying lol

My dealer here in Bracebridge also has a SE.

 

[Turbo Dynamics]

Thanks for the review beerman !!
It is well written and informative.

Just one little note about the td super quiet. We sacrificed the middle hole on the inside in order to fit a larger pipe and better angle. We made the decision during test fitment with the factory shield.

The old 1100 turbo has virtually the same turbocharger and had only 4 bolts at each corner. This sled adds 2 in the middle. We surface the flange to prevent any leak so you can safely not run that bolt.

Same goes for the td stock mod muffler.

The other mufflers like turboforce use all 6 bolts.

http://www.turbodynamics.ca

 

[MUSKOKA SIDEWINDER LTX LE]

Dan and I learned very quickly how 6 bolts may NOT be needed lol Hey Ben were you out testing this weekend? Dan and I were VERY close to seeing if TD was open Sundays can you say Road Trip!!!! Lol

 

[mooser17]

Ya there us a black and orange 129 se at bracebridge yamaha up for grabs fyi

 

[stevewithOCD]

excellent write up beerman....would love to hear more about the SE ride quality too.

Going toward the SQ with PT maybe this week on Toms sled here, so will have lots of video and radar runs coming up soon, thanks to Tom I got my hands dirty now with this SW and gonna be fun to get my own soon.

Dan

You lucky bastard, that's cheating! You got to play & tune with someone elses sled before you buy one. I need new friends...

 

[stevewithOCD]

Thanks for write-up Beerman. Let us know belt life now that you've made some clutch changes. And Dan, i'll be waiting on your 16 page report from your testing...

 

[Doowithblue]

Rear shock on LE received some low speed bleed and now the 137 transfers like it should with blocks in place and limiter out.

 

[stevewithOCD]

Rear shock on LE received some low speed bleed and now the 137 transfers like it should with blocks in place and limiter out.

Explain this please

 

[MUSKOKA SIDEWINDER LTX LE]

You lucky bastard, that's cheating! You got to play & tune with someone elses sled before you buy one. I need new friends...

And we've only just begun Stevie lol