Few Q's about track/slide mods.

[ericmichael]

I have a few questions about gaining alittle performance here and there for the radar runs aside the motor and clutch work i'm doing. First off, we all know every little bit helps!! Now the 1.25" ripsaw on these machines have every 3rd window closed. I've seen a tool out there that they call a "track porting tool" looks like a hole saw to me but I believe it cuts 1.25" holes in the closed window area. Has anyone tried this? Seems to me like it would not only be less restriction, and less weight but better hyfax wear. Maybe a guy could get away with cutting square holes. Secondly, i'm installing the hi-perf wide slides from yamaha but I was thinking about drilling holes in them to hold snow on low snow conditions (ice)= less restriction. Has anyone tried this ? Thank you.
Eric-

 

[linemech31]

I like your ideas. I know "porting" of the track is a help. as far as the slides go i have no idea but would like to know what you end up doing. And what the gains are in the end.

 

[r1usn]

I going to cut out my windows with a razor blade. Its probably not the fastest but it will work. If you are going to cut the windows out, i would suggest buying some extroverts. You will be able to run the track a little bit looser.

 

[raptordan]

Alot of people on here have cut out the windows including myself with a sharp knife or rotozip.It will help get more snow to the sliders but if you dont clip every window there will still be some friction just not as much.With all the windows open you can than use anti ratchet drivers and keep your track tension a little looser which will help with top speed.As for drilling the sliders I have always done this,does it help?it should.I dont see the point with the wider sliders,to me thats more surface area which equals more friction.

 

[NORTH OF 60]

Wider slides do make sense, ever try sliding down a hill on a pece of plywood on it's edge!

 

[NORTH OF 60]

Becarefull cutting out square holes that they don't make a week corner to start and tear. A hole saw is best so you can burn it like you do when installing studs.. But if you clip it it would help make it stronger i would guess..

 

[mach9]

An old grass drag trick is to run a pressure line of liquid windsheild fluid / soap off the edge of the foot well with direct spray onto the sliders.
A bit over the top, but can be effective if doing repeated runs.

 

[ericmichael]

Thanks for your input guys. I'll let you know how I make out after installing and drilling the wide slides. As far as the track i'm going to buy the track porting tool thats made for it. should reduce weight and increse the snow amount to the slides

 

[ericmichael]

Alot of people on here have cut out the windows including myself with a sharp knife or rotozip.It will help get more snow to the sliders but if you dont clip every window there will still be some friction just not as much.With all the windows open you can than use anti ratchet drivers and keep your track tension a little looser which will help with top speed.As for drilling the sliders I have always done this,does it help?it should.I dont see the point with the wider sliders,to me thats more surface area which equals more friction.

I can understand running the track alittle lose but correct me if i'm wrong, running the track to loose will cause a balloon effect causing a sloppy track at high speeds. At high speeds the track will loosen itself up.

 

[NORTH OF 60]

Don't matter how loose or how tight just as long as it's in front of anything that's not blue..

 

[gomer]

Are you planning on just doing the windows or the whole track? I've been contemplating porting the center like the newer Summit tracks in the pic below, less rotating weight and more snow getting thrown around. Right? Wrong? Just for the mountain guys?

 

[SledFreak]

Alot of people on here have cut out the windows including myself with a sharp knife or rotozip.It will help get more snow to the sliders but if you dont clip every window there will still be some friction just not as much.With all the windows open you can than use anti ratchet drivers and keep your track tension a little looser which will help with top speed.As for drilling the sliders I have always done this,does it help?it should.I dont see the point with the wider sliders,to me thats more surface area which equals more friction.

I can understand running the track alittle lose but correct me if i'm wrong, running the track to loose will cause a balloon effect causing a sloppy track at high speeds. At high speeds the track will loosen itself up.

I believe loose was good for the sled/tracks with a low profile of the 90's. Tracks are much lighter now and and have a bigger lug, which means balloning. Run at recommended OEM's spec.