jetpilot785
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- Joined
- Feb 8, 2014
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I recently converted my 2019 ZR7000 Limited to all the 2020 specs and now have just over 1000 miles on the setup. I also have a second identical 2019 ZR7000 Limited still in the stock trim which will also now get the 2020 spec upgrades if that any indication of the last 1000 miles. Before i get into the nitty gritty, I just wanted to make sure people were aware that cat changed the ergos in 19 to what the new 2020 vipers are minus the ARS 2 front end which to convert requires only the spindle and upper arm on both sides. There is also an updated bushing and bolt for the upper arm which is made of an oil impregnated material vs the plated steel bushing that would corrode after awhile but the old bushing and hardware will work if cost or parts availability is an issue. I did notice the new bolt and nut are smaller in diameter so may be easier to bend with some hard hits but i wasn't too worried about it as most likely other stuff will bend or break if the bolts get enough of a hit to bend them.
Another thing the 2019 cat version did get in 19 was the newer rails as i compared those to the new 2020 yamahas at a local dealer so i didn't have to change them out. Whether the 2019 and older SR Viper rails would need to be changed or not, i wouldn't think it would be that big of a deal running the older rails. I know the 19 vipers have the newer rails for the 19 and newer wheel setups but after a quick comparison between 2014 rails and the 19/20 rails, I would think they would be close enough to make this change over work fine. I'm no expert at it but since 95% of the parts in the rear skid are the same from 2014 to 2020 minus the straps and longer center shock, I can't see why they wouldn't but that's just from a quick look and not measuring both to compare.
Another thing I will mention is I am running QS3R's all around and the new center shock is longer to compensate for the updated geometry and new longer limiter straps. I did some research and found out that they do not offer a QS3 clicker shock on the 2020's and that included the RR on the cat side of things and I wanted to keep my QS3R's all around. In order to safely do that, you have to run the new limiter in the 3rd hole (shortest strap) to allow the strap to be the stop vs the piston head bottoming at full rebound. Even in this configuration, that last hole is still about a hole longer than the original strap in hole 1 (longest setting) so you are getting the absolute maximum stroke out of the older center shock shaft dimension. What this does is reduces the on power push when mid corner to corner exit. Some early reports from guys on the cat forums was that they thought the older setup handled better but they didn't realize, care or try to change the limiter setting as they come at full extension with the new longer shock for max transfer so I could see their complaint with the under steer mid corner and corner exit when getting back in the power. I happen to get a bonus as I usually always pulled my limiters down a hole or 2 to reduce transfer for more on power steering and ski pressure in corners. Another bonus is the increased travel in the rear skid with being able to utilize the extra shaft travel the old setup didn't allow so with my shocks being re-valved for small bump compliance but high speed dampening also increased, it had more time to pack and reduce bottoming so i ran my clickers in position 1 on the new setup which I never did before as they would bottom before the high speed dampening could do enough so I would run in position 2 or 3 mostly and sacrafice small bump compliance for big bump compliance so the update is worth it for the added benefit you will get in the rear suspension.
As far as the front, i didn't notice a ton of difference to be honest. It seemed to corner a little flatter and not have as much body roll but I could manipulate that with front shock compression and rebound settings so in position 1 it would roll and under steer more than I would like, a little improvement in position 2 and it would be on rails with almost zero under steer on power or off power in position 3 which was the same thing the stock 19 was doing as well so not that big of a difference up front but the added ground clearance up front and the rear suspension benefits i mentioned earlier make this cheap update well worth it.
Another thing the 2019 cat version did get in 19 was the newer rails as i compared those to the new 2020 yamahas at a local dealer so i didn't have to change them out. Whether the 2019 and older SR Viper rails would need to be changed or not, i wouldn't think it would be that big of a deal running the older rails. I know the 19 vipers have the newer rails for the 19 and newer wheel setups but after a quick comparison between 2014 rails and the 19/20 rails, I would think they would be close enough to make this change over work fine. I'm no expert at it but since 95% of the parts in the rear skid are the same from 2014 to 2020 minus the straps and longer center shock, I can't see why they wouldn't but that's just from a quick look and not measuring both to compare.
Another thing I will mention is I am running QS3R's all around and the new center shock is longer to compensate for the updated geometry and new longer limiter straps. I did some research and found out that they do not offer a QS3 clicker shock on the 2020's and that included the RR on the cat side of things and I wanted to keep my QS3R's all around. In order to safely do that, you have to run the new limiter in the 3rd hole (shortest strap) to allow the strap to be the stop vs the piston head bottoming at full rebound. Even in this configuration, that last hole is still about a hole longer than the original strap in hole 1 (longest setting) so you are getting the absolute maximum stroke out of the older center shock shaft dimension. What this does is reduces the on power push when mid corner to corner exit. Some early reports from guys on the cat forums was that they thought the older setup handled better but they didn't realize, care or try to change the limiter setting as they come at full extension with the new longer shock for max transfer so I could see their complaint with the under steer mid corner and corner exit when getting back in the power. I happen to get a bonus as I usually always pulled my limiters down a hole or 2 to reduce transfer for more on power steering and ski pressure in corners. Another bonus is the increased travel in the rear skid with being able to utilize the extra shaft travel the old setup didn't allow so with my shocks being re-valved for small bump compliance but high speed dampening also increased, it had more time to pack and reduce bottoming so i ran my clickers in position 1 on the new setup which I never did before as they would bottom before the high speed dampening could do enough so I would run in position 2 or 3 mostly and sacrafice small bump compliance for big bump compliance so the update is worth it for the added benefit you will get in the rear suspension.
As far as the front, i didn't notice a ton of difference to be honest. It seemed to corner a little flatter and not have as much body roll but I could manipulate that with front shock compression and rebound settings so in position 1 it would roll and under steer more than I would like, a little improvement in position 2 and it would be on rails with almost zero under steer on power or off power in position 3 which was the same thing the stock 19 was doing as well so not that big of a difference up front but the added ground clearance up front and the rear suspension benefits i mentioned earlier make this cheap update well worth it.
