REV Powerplants

[Dix]

I was originally going to post this in reply to the posts for those buying/thinking of buying a "rider forward" REV platform Doo... but figured this was a better forum for it....



For 99% of what most people ride Doo's 600SDI can't be beat... plenty of power and 16-19MPG... what more can you ask for?

Unless you live for lake racing... stay away from the 1000 in MachZ or any other trim... Ever see the movie "The Money Pit"?

The 800s ARE nice (I know - I ride one)... but even the new "Power-TEK" version will cost you 5MPG or better over the 600SDI... Doo shot itself in the foot with the "166" belt for it via the XP "revision"(more to come on that issue later)... and in all reality, I never need the extra power... except for spinning that heavy track off-trail... where momentum and track speed are high priorities... then there's no real replacement for displacement... or if you always ride from Jackman/Moosehead north where it can get a chance to stretch its legs... in tight-twisty trails the Kid can stay glued to my bumper on his ZX-500... and on the same terrain a good rider on a 600 short-track could kick my asterisk.

Here's your choices powerplant-wise from BRP for REV selds...

500SS - Actually a misnomer... it's really a 600cc engine... basically the old 500 case and crank out of the ZX sleds with slightly bigger lungs... reliable as the energizer bunny and near bullet-proof (except for the 07s for some reason)... arguably the most durable engine BRP ever built... down about 15HP from the 600HO... but if you want a workhorse that will never let you down, this is it.

600HO - Carbed version of the 600HO-SDI... OK, but the SDI has slightly better power and much better fuel mileage... no relay issues though.

600HO-SDI - The engine that re-wrote the book on 2-stroke power vs. fuel mileage... it comes with both in spades. Expect 16-17MPG for an 04-05... up to 19MPG for an 06-07 depending on how you ride... just go to your nearest NAPA and toss a relay (part# AR201 - $12 vs $30 from BRP) in the trunk... you'll need one, usually when you're in the middle of no-where... in a real pinch you CAN jumper the connections in the box with a paper-clip to get you home. (if you have a manual-start version only jumper R4 long enough to get it started then remove the jumper once it's running)

03-05 800HO - The engine most people want... and who wouldn't... it's an 800... unless you ride where you need to get more than 100 miles/tank (why do you think I carry a can) 8-10MPG is about as good as it gets... as long as the DPM is working... will pass near everything out there but a gas station... and if you ride hard and/or ultimate performance is an issue for you the "new" #-166 belts can be a problem.

05-07 800HO Power-TEK - BRP wrung a few more HP and a couple more MPG out of the old 800HO... but it didn't come without issues... besides the belt issue mentioned above (which effects the P-Teks as well)... namely there's a low-altitude update for the 05-06 versions... and unless you're a fan of mid-range meltdowns, get it if you live/ride under about 600ft. (new [07] carb needles and ECM remap)... Also, bye-bye 87 octane regular... the P-Tek requires 91 octane minimum... on the upside you CAN get up to 13-14MPG out of it in good conditions.

For BOTH versions of the 800HO.... put a new starter drive return spring on your summer maintenance list and save yourself $150 for a new starter drive and ring gear... for 9 bucks each summer it's cheap insurance (even if it IS a PITA to do)... Also, spend the 50 bucks or so and put a spacer in the secondary to float it... keeps belts from exploding at bad times... like 110MPH.

Not a REV... but...

1000SDI - Unless you HAVE to have the biggest engine on the lake (or up in the county) AND you have a deep checkbook.... RUN - don't walk - away from this engine... just go to the DooTalk message board and click on the "MACH Z" forum to see why... although the engine is also put in "Renegade" and "Summit" tagged sleds, that's merely a stretched "RT" chassis... it's not a 1000 stuffed into a REV... I nearly bought a 1000SDI Renegade.... damn glad I didn't.... sure, nothing can outrun or outclimb it... but at what cost?

Oh... DOO still did offer the 380 & 550 fan-cooled sleds too in those years... if anyone is counting. :mrgreen:

[Dix]

As for the Chassis... there isn't a LOT of difference in them.... but....

2003 - The mid-year introduction... leaves a bit to be desired vs the 04 & ups... but still light-years ahead of the competition at the time.

04-05 - And the REVolution begins... feedback from 03 test pilots was put to good use on refinements.... the SC3 rear suspension still works... and parts (like rebuildable shocks) can be had on eBay fairly cheap at this point... serious ditch-bangers may prefer the 04-05 sleds to the 06-07 version... some have put an SC4 skid in 'em (with some modifications) and made a true mogul-masher's dream sled.

06-07 - Reworked front suspension geometry and 1" lower front ride height coupled with a new SC4 rear suspension and new "Pilot" skis can make these year sleds corner like they're on rails with the right setup... shock valving on the GSX/GTX models in the new rear skid makes the ride almost too nice... don't fall asleep.

[ewelin]

Well a couple points from me... avoid the 600HOs at all cost, they are just not worth it. The gas millage on them is pathetic, mine was far worse than any 800... Heck, my 03 800 ZX Renegade got far better millage than the 04 HO! I was lucky to get 10mpg if I was babying it, riding my normal style I was getting about 8. That is the main reason why I'm without a sled right now.

As for the 800HO, I road my buddies 06 and that thing hangs right with the SDIs on gas millage. Sure the SDI is going to get better millage, but I'd say I was 1-2 gallons more at the pumps when we filling them at about 1/4 tank. I never was going to calculate the mpg, but after the first fill up and I was only 1.25 gallons less than OffShore24's SDI, I just decided to ride it and enjoy it. Where did you see that the p-tek requires 91 gas?? My buddies runs 89 in his all the time and he's never had any issues with it.

[Dix]

Sounds to me like the DPM in your 600HO wasn't working right (not an uncommon occurrence)... I know 3 guys with 'em and they're at 11-15MPG... and another NON-DPM 04 is getting 12... 9-10 if he beats it hard.

And those are sleds that I know personally... the MPG figures mentioned in the OP are "averages" garnered not just from personal observations, but also from reported figures from owners on DooTalk.

It's right in the 06 & 07 owner's manual about the fuel octane rating... not surprising he may not know.... who reads the manual???... or even has one? :mrgreen:

But, P-Teks should be using 91 minimum octane according to BRP... the older 800HOs could run 87 regular.

Now, granted... the P-Tek DOES have a knock sensor that should back the timing off if it senses detonation... if you want to trust it to keep your engine from doing an imitation of Chernobyl.

When the Kid and I are out slamming hard or I'm doing a lot of off-trail playing I'm at about 10-11MPG... trail riding with the other half gets me about 13... then again you need to remember I'm spinning a heavy 'Gade track too.

[ewelin]

Yeah I think that gade track effects things quite a bit, but my buddies did have the 1.25" ripsaw on it :lol: The sled probably has close to 4000 miles on it now and it's always had 89 in it.

Can you still get 87 octane fuel??

[Dix]

Yea... every station's "regular" around here is 87... "plus" is 89... "premium" is 91 around here & 93 further north (where they don't have to blend in ethonol.. & don't get me started on that rant. :mrgreen:)

I actually ran a couple tanks of 87 through my P-Tek before I realized I was supposed to be running 91... but I did notice much better power and picked up 1-2MPG running 91 (or 93)... I guess the knock sensor worked OK in my case.

Rather run the good stuff since it did make a difference... what would I be saving?... a buck or two a tankful?

At 4K miles his compression is now likely at the point where 89 won't make much difference.

[Tynan19]

(part# AR201 - $12 vs $30 from BRP) Looks like I will be stopping at Napa sometime this week. Pending payment my wife's new sled will be a 600sdi.

[Tynan19]

They guy already installed the BOSCH Relay and hasn't had a problem since.

[Dix]

I'd still toss a spare in the trunk.... better to have one and never need it than be halfway between Kokadjo & Rockwood in the middle of the night and need it.

IMO these things are subjected to a far harsher combination of conditions being used in a sled then they ever would be in any automotive application (which is what they are designed for by default).... which leads to the higher failure rate regardless of who made it. (although granted, some are better than others).

Here's the problem...

If you lose the "run" relay (R1)... sled won't run obviously.

But, even the "load" relay (R2) handles some important stuff (not just your grips & acessories)... headlights & taillights are on it... as well as the heating element for the E-RAVE (electronic exhaust valve) solonoid.

(R4) "start" relay is only used in manual start versions... brings a capacitor online when you're pulling on it to get the system up and running.

For other NON-SDI sleds there's only one relay on 'em and it depends on if you have electric start or not as to what it does.

In E-Start equipped sleds the only thing it means is the battery won't charge if it fails, that's all... no big deal.

But in manual start versions you loose not only all lights, guages, & accessories, but also E-RAVE control, & the DPM.... pretty important stuff.

I'd rate a spare relay an important thing to have for any SDI or non electric start model. (I carry one in mine even though all it does is charge the battery)

Non-SDI sleds can use the same relay as the SDI... NAPA AR201 (STD RY116 / BOSCH 0332209151 / FORD F0AB-14B192-AA)

Or the NAPA AR143 (STD RY115) has the little mounting tab for the zip-tie.