Cushman Trackster engine upgrade...?!

[Nikson]

Looking for advice...

After restoring my current model of the Trackster, it came out to check out as something a bit underpowered, or possibly I'm simply in need of carb adjusting for higher elevation (running average of 5000-7000ft).

Previous owner used the cat for SAR operations in one of the local counties around Sisters, Oregon (for anyone familiar with the Bend, Oregon area).

Anyways - the KOHLER 25 that Trackster currently has seems like its a bit underpowered, which makes me wonder a bit due to the fact that some guys run even smaller HP engines in theirs...

So - what does anyone got to say? Any suggestions with current setup, or any upgrade options to a new HONDA/VANGUARD engine or something like that.

 

[MNoutdoors RIP]

Looking for advice...

After restoring my current model of the Trackster, it came out to check out as something a bit underpowered, or possibly I'm simply in need of carb adjusting for higher elevation (running average of 5000-7000ft).

Previous owner used the cat for SAR operations in one of the local counties around Sisters, Oregon (for anyone familiar with the Bend, Oregon area).

Anyways - the KOHLER 25 that Trackster currently has seems like its a bit underpowered, which makes me wonder a bit due to the fact that some guys run even smaller HP engines in theirs...

So - what does anyone got to say? Any suggestions with current setup, or any upgrade options to a new HONDA/VANGUARD engine or something like that.

Nikon, we did get a Kawasaki FD851 (31 hp) fuel injected liquid cooled in one it was very snappy but not a inexpensive engine it required the hood to be raised about 3 inches

We have also used 24hp Honda's and 27 hp Kohler's with success but the Kawasaki was better hands down and the most costly about 2500.00

 

[Nikson]

Nikon, we did get a Kawasaki FD851 (31 hp) fuel injected liquid cooled in one it was very snappy but not a inexpensive engine it required the hood to be raised about 3 inches

We have also used 24hp Honda's and 27 hp Kohler's with success but the Kawasaki was better hands down and the most costly about 2500.00

Going to do some research on this...

Thanks,

 

[Nikson]

Nikon, we did get a Kawasaki FD851 (31 hp) fuel injected liquid cooled in one it was very snappy but not a inexpensive engine it required the hood to be raised about 3 inches

We have also used 24hp Honda's and 27 hp Kohler's with success but the Kawasaki was better hands down and the most costly about 2500.00

I'm trying to figure out if my engine is just the way these really are, vs an upgraded one. Not want to throw away the money and than not be happy.

my problem is it being underpowered uphill at full speed, wondering if thats even possible on such setup.

 

[MNoutdoors RIP]

I'm trying to figure out if my engine is just the way these really are, vs an upgraded one. Not want to throw away the money and than not be happy.

my problem is it being underpowered uphill at full speed, wondering if thats even possible on such setup.

A couple of things to consider we have used the Maclaren tracks before. And they are more aggressive than the originals now you have to ask yourself why did Cushman not make a more aggressive track to begin with? One is horsepower those tracks will eat up more hp than the standard track

Elevation also robs hp.

I have seen more hp put into the cushmans as big as a Geo Metro engine but several things to consider you reach a point where is speed in this type of a machine really what you want. They were made small to be agile if you start adding power plants as big and top heavy as a Geo motor are you really over building the design of the machine? Others have also put the engines in the rear and run a drive shaft to the front some say they are more balanced ? I think when you start to get much more than the 30-38 hp range you most likely at the limit of the machine . Then you ask yourself if this is for resale will I ever get what I have put in time and materials out of it ? If it was to keep another story

We have seen and talked with many rebuilders and we are also. On some of these snow cats for example Weatherbys Thiokol 601. Commonly referred to as one of the best redone machines in some time. And he did a wonderful job
With all the time and materials he put forth in that machine to really turn a profit
What would that machine have to sell for? It has to be a labor of love on something Like that. We have several machines that we have put way more into than the average Joe would ever want to pay for a snowcat.

OK, time for someone else.

 

[muleman]

Check in to re-jetting your carb for your elevation. Float might be set low also.

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

Nixon As I said before ,your hydraulics were intended to run between 4 and 8 k rpm your 4 strokes are running at about 3500 max, you will have some efficiency loss. there are ring and pinion up grades you can add to it to bring efficiency up. also the stock motor was 30 horse but 4 strokes do have more torque. I like Brads idea about the Kawasaki might be your best bet your deeper lugs will also such up horse power.

 

[Nikson]

Nixon As I said before ,your hydraulics were intended to run between 4 and 8 k rpm your 4 strokes are running at about 3500 max, you will have some efficiency loss. there are ring and pinion up grades you can add to it to bring efficiency up. also the stock motor was 30 horse but 4 strokes do have more torque. I like Brads idea about the Kawasaki might be your best bet your deeper lugs will also such up horse power.

Well, do I care to install a Yamaha YZF-R1 crotchrocket motor thats 1000cc & 13000 redline RPMs? That motor is not very large, and I could get it to put out enough HPs/Torque I presume...

I honestly dont want to mess with it more than I've got to already, but would be interested in making it not necessarily fast, but at least capable uphill, since right now it felt like it was just dying uphill on full-forward.

So, per your say, that tranny is going to be okay if its spun around 8000rpms, nothing will "blow up" ???

 

[Nikson]

A couple of things to consider we have used the Maclaren tracks before. And they are more aggressive than the originals now you have to ask yourself why did Cushman not make a more aggressive track to begin with? One is horsepower those tracks will eat up more hp than the standard track

Elevation also robs hp.

I have seen more hp put into the cushmans as big as a Geo Metro engine but several things to consider you reach a point where is speed in this type of a machine really what you want. They were made small to be agile if you start adding power plants as big and top heavy as a Geo motor are you really over building the design of the machine? Others have also put the engines in the rear and run a drive shaft to the front some say they are more balanced ? I think when you start to get much more than the 30-38 hp range you most likely at the limit of the machine . Then you ask yourself if this is for resale will I ever get what I have put in time and materials out of it ? If it was to keep another story

We have seen and talked with many rebuilders and we are also. On some of these snow cats for example Weatherbys Thiokol 601. Commonly referred to as one of the best redone machines in some time. And he did a wonderful job
With all the time and materials he put forth in that machine to really turn a profit
What would that machine have to sell for? It has to be a labor of love on something Like that. We have several machines that we have put way more into than the average Joe would ever want to pay for a snowcat.

OK, time for someone else.

I for one am not very knowledgeable when it comes to hydrostatic drives, thats my number one stumbling rock at this point.

I dont really care much for speed of the machine, I am fine with the speed it travels right now (as it is a very bumpy ride anyway),

one thing I want to be sure of on it thou is that its able to pull its weight up the hill and some...

I just cant imagine having 2-3 feet of powder and Trackster just bogging in it and not going anywhere...

I guess its pretty much trial & error at this point... there is really no perfect solution.

 

[CRockett]

Is there a ring and pinion gear for the tranny that will help with the perfomance and where can a person locate them at. We have located the engine mount kit for the honda, but haven't been able to find info on the tranny. Thanks for the Help.