
DMCTurbo
VIP Member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2005
- Messages
- 2,823
- Reaction score
- 2,572
- Points
- 1,623
- Location
- Val Caron, Ontario
- Country
- Canada
- Snowmobile
- 2017 Sidewinder XTX LE 137
now can u explain a reverse helix vs normal helix ? whats the purpose of reverse helix ?
The theory is to help the turbo spool quicker. After trying a 35/39 reverse I don’t buy into the hype.


STAIN
Lifetime Member
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2004
- Messages
- 4,387
- Reaction score
- 3,665
- Points
- 1,713
- Location
- Vermont
- Country
- USA
- Snowmobile
- 2024 Arctic Cat Riot 9000
- LOCATION
- Vermont
I think they were needed for the old turbo sleds where turbo lag was a big problem. No so on the SidewinderThe theory is to help the turbo spool quicker. After trying a 35/39 reverse I don’t buy into the hype.

ROCKERDAN
OCD Sledhead
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2005
- Messages
- 7,496
- Reaction score
- 3,609
- Points
- 2,003
- Location
- Huntsville Ontario & Niagara NY
- Country
- Other
- Snowmobile
- '18 RTX 50th "Winder"
Helix dictates the shift pattern....
A reverse angle serves two purposes, the lower(flatter) first angle keep rpms UP, which on a turbo sled makes for more spool/boost down low.
Think of riding your motorcycle and not upshifting early, but holding that gear til rpms raise.
The higher(steeper) finish angle allows the top speed rpms to remain in check, meaning the top speed rpms will be lower or NOT keep rising too far. This can come in very handy on a turbo, as they make so much power the top rpms typically need a TON more weight in tips of flyweights. Adding alot of tip weight into the primary, may help to keep top rpms down, but then they become so heavy the sled can feel laggy corner to corner, as the weights are too heavy to swing quickly. Lots more can be done with weights, but the reverse angle helix can aid the top end RPMS.
Typically reverse angle may ET slower, as it stalls the shift which stalls the forward motion of sled, however on a turbo, the additional spool/boost can be much higher to counteract this, so this is where good testing comes in back to back.
The Hurricane tunes, which are ALL early spool tunes, allow for progressive helix's to be run, while stock tunes or NON early spool tunes, truly need a reverse angle for best corner to corner snap.
Dan
A reverse angle serves two purposes, the lower(flatter) first angle keep rpms UP, which on a turbo sled makes for more spool/boost down low.
Think of riding your motorcycle and not upshifting early, but holding that gear til rpms raise.
The higher(steeper) finish angle allows the top speed rpms to remain in check, meaning the top speed rpms will be lower or NOT keep rising too far. This can come in very handy on a turbo, as they make so much power the top rpms typically need a TON more weight in tips of flyweights. Adding alot of tip weight into the primary, may help to keep top rpms down, but then they become so heavy the sled can feel laggy corner to corner, as the weights are too heavy to swing quickly. Lots more can be done with weights, but the reverse angle helix can aid the top end RPMS.
Typically reverse angle may ET slower, as it stalls the shift which stalls the forward motion of sled, however on a turbo, the additional spool/boost can be much higher to counteract this, so this is where good testing comes in back to back.
The Hurricane tunes, which are ALL early spool tunes, allow for progressive helix's to be run, while stock tunes or NON early spool tunes, truly need a reverse angle for best corner to corner snap.
Dan

KnappAttack
24X ISR World Drag Racing Champion
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2004
- Messages
- 4,847
- Reaction score
- 6,112
- Points
- 1,733
- Location
- Welch MN
- Country
- USA
- Snowmobile
- 2023 Sidewinder LTX-LE
2017 Sidewinder LTX-LE
Reverse angle like 35-39 is also need when running springs that twist up a lot as they are rotated. Like a large wire spring thats has more resistance as it rotates thru the shift. So really you are compensating for a certain spring like that.
ClutchMaster
HUGE Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2016
- Messages
- 2,996
- Reaction score
- 2,516
- Points
- 1,003
- Location
- tomahawk
- Country
- USA
- Snowmobile
- 2015 Viper 270 hurricane,
2002 Viper W/162 A.C. skid, SRX pipes &CDI, 780 BB
- LOCATION
- Wisconsin
Maybe this will help some?
Using a shallow helix and weak secondary spring tends to be problematic holding the belt tight @ full shift. Just not enough torque feedback especially if your a little positive on your offset, which tends to push the secondary open IMO.
ClutchMaster
HUGE Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2016
- Messages
- 2,996
- Reaction score
- 2,516
- Points
- 1,003
- Location
- tomahawk
- Country
- USA
- Snowmobile
- 2015 Viper 270 hurricane,
2002 Viper W/162 A.C. skid, SRX pipes &CDI, 780 BB
- LOCATION
- Wisconsin
Reverse cut helixes are gonna need huge weight/force at lower speeds to stay off the limiter, and are more suited for a STM 6 or 8 weight clutch where half the weights stop pushing halfway through the shift. This is how outlaw sleds prevent belt slippage down low and spool HUGE Turbos. Not really needed with a small trail turbo.