Studding - new AC "quiet track" on Sidewinder

[nadekeys]

Any pictures of tunnel protectors?

I can take a pic of those tonight and post if no one does before me.

 

[stevewithOCD]

SJ, when I studded my Apex a few years ago and went with the recommended (by woody's) 1.325 length, the difference in traction was night and day so I don't know that I'd say it would be a total waste and it may be easier on the track and the studs. If I did it again I might go 1.45 but the length you run just looks crazy! I bet that hooks up great, don't know that I'd ever run them that long in relation to the track lugs. Then again I don't know I'm ever going to run studs again after my experience last year.

What happened last year?

 

[stevewithOCD]

im assuming you dont care about racing...but remember , this sled is around 200 hp to you apex's 150... whole different animal..

I had a few buds that said ...no more studs...each of them has had a crack up since..due to no studs and icy conditions that come out of nowhere...and all say they will never ride without again!

I have the opposite reaction with my buds. They're all switching to pre-studded tracks like me. I gain 2 a year.

 

[**sj**]

I have the opposite reaction with my buds. They're all switching to pre-studded tracks like me. I gain 2 a year.

I can see the pre molded on a sled like the etec...and even this one by the cruiser guys...if you never race and just general cruise..ya...but no studs whatsoever no way

 

[nadekeys]

What happened last year?

I threw a double backer stud and it dragged two big holes through my front heat exchanger out on the trail. I was out by myself and stranded. Luckily I heard it and stopped engine before coolant drained all out and engine overheated but it could have easily gone that way and I could have damaged that apex motor.

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[stevewithOCD]

I threw a double backer stud and it dragged two big holes through my front heat exchanger out on the trail. I was out by myself and stranded. Luckily I heard it and stopped engine before coolant drained all out and engine overheated but it could have easily gone that way and I could have damaged that apex motor.

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Seen it personally 3 times on trips to far away places. Luckily we caught all 3 at stops. Know of 3 buds with blown motors, luckily i wasn't there for those.

 

[stevewithOCD]

I can see the pre molded on a sled like the etec...and even this one by the cruiser guys...if you never race and just general cruise..ya...but no studs whatsoever no way

I definitely loose a little in the "race" department, but our races are just lining up here & there. My 240 little studs slow me down very well in icy situations. My 129" Ice-Ripper will out-brake an E-tec with 92 studs on glare ice by a large margin. We experimented a lot. They stay super sharp and have NEVER tore through a heat exchanger. With this much power "sj" has a good point, but i'd rather slow down & loose a race here or there and have serious POM (peace of mind). Now the guys that ran bare tracks baffle me completely.

 

[**sj**]

Guys...losing studs is such a rate occurrence in my circle including full outlaw racers...I can't imagine even ever losing one...but as you can see by my photo.. I /we are anal about the products we use and the install...

 

[buyrite01]

SJ what brand studs are you running in pictures? 2nd thing is guys tighten them down till impact stops! I never have had one come out, yes I have bent a few.

 

[jonlafon1]

SJ what brand studs are you running in pictures? 2nd thing is guys tighten them down till impact stops! I never have had one come out, yes I have bent a few.

I tighten the hell out of mine.. a lot tighter then what they say with a torque wrench.. Never had issues with studs. I do not run aggressive lengths.

 

[nadekeys]

I agree it's a rare occurrence, problem is that it can be catastrophic when it does happen. I think all it takes is hitting a rock on the trail or something just right to weaken or slightly tear the track cords at a stud location and then it is only a matter of time. I think this may have been what happened to me. We'll see. Up in the U.P. where trails usually have good snow pack the studs don't do much anyway. And tear up my driveway, trailer, etc.

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[nadekeys]

I'm very anal about my toys and installation, I know my problem wasn't install.

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[nadekeys]

Any pictures of tunnel protectors?

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[nadekeys]

That's what it looks like in the tunnel of my ltx le.

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[nadekeys]

Guys...losing studs is such a rate occurrence in my circle including full outlaw racers...I can't imagine even ever losing one...but as you can see by my photo.. I /we are anal about the products we use and the install...

SJ, wondering how many miles would you put on that track/stud combo before you replace it proactively?