Arctic Cat Catalyst: Is a Turbocharged Four-Stroke Engine Coming?

[sideshowBob]

It seems we all hope, speculate, and expect more from the manufacturers then they are ever willing to deliver. A couple prime examples are from BRP. Everyone expected a HO version of Ski Doos 1200....it never happened...when the Mach Z was announced the Ski Doo faithful were foaming at the mouth thinking they would finally have a production sled that was going to be dominant...not...a horrible let down in performance compared to cat and Yamaha...even tuned to 220 these sleds under perform.
Cat, Polaris, and BRP easily could provide 250 or so hp sleds but they haven't and they won't for many reasons. 200hp seems to be the limit...thank goodness we have the tuner companies out there for our 998s to get them in the hp range they should have come stock with.
Manufacturers please prove me wrong!!!

 

[74Nitro]

I don't think most MFG's will be pushing past 1000cc anymore. They have no need with the use of good stable boost levels. And the added weight of displacement has a negative effect. Look at the SXS market, they tried very hard to stay below the 1000cc limit for racing, but only recently pushed past that limit in those larger RZR Pro-R models. But those units can easily handle the additional weight.

A 999cc or less triple with minimal boost can easily provide the power to make a top performing sled.

You're probably bang on, but a boosted 1200 would be addicting!

 

[biffdotorg]

when the Mach Z was announced the Ski Doo faithful were foaming at the mouth thinking they would finally have a production sled that was going to be dominant...not...a horrible let down in performance compared to cat and Yamaha...even tuned to 220 these sleds under perform.

I think the Mach Z was a litmus test/teaser. They truly wanted to gauge the market, and see if their yellow faithful wanted a Turbo 4 stroke, or if money was better invested in the turbo 850. And the folks with pocketbooks responded and it was a one year offering.

Although, now we are seeing the 900RR turbo in more sleds including their utility sleds. No, it may not be a lake racer, but that sort of power in a utility crossover sled is very impressive and got my attention for sure.

The aftermarket for that engine is huge in the CanAm world as folks with the 900RR in the Maverick line are getting amazing hp gains out of that engine. And the amount of souped up Lynx with 900 RR and upgrades is gaining ground.

It would be a consideration for me once my Yamaha dies.

 

[number1kyster]

I have a 900R Lynx and I absolutely hate this powerplant. It is a turd. They are rated at 180HP but it feels like a 150hp sled to me. I also hate the throttle. The only thing keeping me on the sled is that I really like the way it rides. The PPS3 is the best skid I have ever ridden.

I know there are tuning options for them, but IMO they need more time before I buy in. I know of 2 900R’s that lost a center cylinder this winter on the PEFI 1R flash.

I am hoping Cat brings us a Catalyst with at least 998T level power, and a cable throttle. I will be on board when they do.

 

[STAIN]

I know of 2 900R’s that lost a center cylinder this winter on the PEFI 1R flash.

Wasn't this happening to the 998's also on a PEFI flash?
I have purchased multiple Hurricane flashes without any problems, they may cost more, but I know what I am getting.

 

[number1kyster]

Possibly, but there have been issues with Hurricane and MCX on the 900R as well. Maybe Whalen will get it right.

Precision Sports in Quebec seems to be the most reputable tuner for these things, but the cost is steep.

We have been spoiled with cheap power on the 998T.

Don’t get me wrong, the 900R is a great mill if going fast isn’t a priority. It is just lackluster compared to a stock 998 and it really feels anemic if you are used to a tuned 998.

 

[STAIN]

It is just lackluster compared to a stock 998 and it really feels anemic if you are used to a tuned 998

I would almost say EVERY stock sled feels anemic compared to a 998. I rode another 850 Polaris last week in Quebec. It felt like it was a 340. Hit the throttle at 60 mph and----nothing. More noise, vibration was all you got. The Polaris rider got off my 240 Riot with a big grin on his face, shaking his head, saying what fun that sled was to ride. Smooth, quite, easy steering and power whenever you want it.
If Cat comes with a new 4 stroke, they have big shoes to fill.............

 

[number1kyster]

I rode another 850 Polaris last week in Quebec. It felt like it was a 340. Hit the throttle at 60 mph and----nothing. More noise, vibration was all you got.

My wife rides an 850 VR1, and it is stronger than my 900, everywhere, so you can imagine how I feel coming from 16lbs of boost on a 998.

 

[Turboflash]

Wasn't this happening to the 998's also on a PEFI flash?
I have purchased multiple Hurricane flashes without any problems, they may cost more, but I know what I am getting.

Without knowing all the facts and specifics about a given failure w PEFI 998 tunes, based on what I know from looking into them, it seems it mostly came down to one central issue. First, and most importantly, is the muffler. PEFI only has a 2.5" PM; and it's the most restrictive 2.5" you can buy. Many guys didn't like the thought of that, so they installed freer flowing 2.5" and 3". The exhaust flow increased substantially, thereby leaning out the AFR (probably unbeknownst to the owners). It was too lean causing deto. Burnt pistons.
With the proper AFR across the whole RPM range, they ran great.
While I do run PEFI Stage 4+ (wink wink), I am not defending PEFI. Sébastien Guay (owner and engineer extraordinaire) is very difficult to do business with. The French Canadians are pretty arrogant and seem to like to talk down to most of us sledders. They think we are all dumb asses and know nothing. That said, my Stage 4 runs great. But, I have AFR, adjustable FPR, etc to make sure the engine gets what it needs.

 

[NYTurbo]

I’ve heard Weber will be the motor in the Catalyst . Time will tell .

With the Thundercat sitting at $30k plus tax in Canada the Catalyst 4 stroke better be substantially cheaper.

 

[sideshowBob]

We have 4 SWs in our group that ride regularly every week, one is totally stock, 1 Hurricane SM tuned, 1 Hurricane PM tuned, and mine that is Hurricane Header PM tuned. All these sleds are approaching or over 10,000 miles and tuned since new. We just did a 200 mile ride on empty hard pack fresh groomed, rail bed, hydro lines, and old logging roads. These SWs are all still running flawlessly without issues and the Doos, and Polaris riding with us could not even attempt to keep of with us on the high end even the 220 tuned 900R was no contest.

 

[sideshowBob]

Without knowing all the facts and specifics about a given failure w PEFI 998 tunes, based on what I know from looking into them, it seems it mostly came down to one central issue. First, and most importantly, is the muffler. PEFI only has a 2.5" PM; and it's the most restrictive 2.5" you can buy. Many guys didn't like the thought of that, so they installed freer flowing 2.5" and 3". The exhaust flow increased substantially, thereby leaning out the AFR (probably unbeknownst to the owners). It was too lean causing deto. Burnt pistons.
With the proper AFR across the whole RPM range, they ran great.
While I do run PEFI Stage 4+ (wink wink), I am not defending PEFI. Sébastien Guay (owner and engineer extraordinaire) is very difficult to do business with. The French Canadians are pretty arrogant and seem to like to talk down to most of us sledders. They think we are all dumb asses and know nothing. That said, my Stage 4 runs great. But, I have AFR, adjustable FPR, etc to make sure the engine gets what it needs.

This is why I think closed loop is essential on a tuned 998s.

 

[STAIN]

I’ve heard Weber will be the motor in the Catalyst . Time will tell

I think this may have been true when Textron owned CAT. I believe they also owned Weber motors. I had heard the same rumor back then.
I think at this point Cat would design their own motor.

 

[1nc 2000]

Didn't we see these drawings during the Textron days?

 

[biffdotorg]

Yes, they come up annually before the new models are released