GLamer44
New member
I have a 2004 Viper Mountain that I'm looking at swapping skids on to something with a longer track. One of the options I'm looking at is a swap with a RX1 skid with the 159" extension on it. I'm also looking at picking up a set of triple pipes for the Viper to replace my stock can. My end goal is a sled with good deep powder performance but also an increase in performance from the stock Viper.
It seems I'll see a decrease performance on the top end with the longer track but I'm looking for a bit of a happy medium on the trails. Does this make sense? If I do both the skid and the pipes, what kind of modifications am I looking at in regards to clutching and jetting? Any other modifications that should be made? Thanks.
It seems I'll see a decrease performance on the top end with the longer track but I'm looking for a bit of a happy medium on the trails. Does this make sense? If I do both the skid and the pipes, what kind of modifications am I looking at in regards to clutching and jetting? Any other modifications that should be made? Thanks.
mod-it
Member
You'll also have to lower your gearing. I couldn't tell you what gearing, but you should be able to seek out others that have stretched their sleds to a 159" and get pretty close. Jetting will just need to be whatever the pipe manufacturer recommends for the elevation/temp you mainly ride...then fine tune from there to get your jetting spot on at the peak hp rpm for the pipes. Also try to get a starting point for clutching from someone that has geared for a 159" triple piped viper. I tend to like to run a steeper angle helix (like 47° over a 43°) so that I don't have to put a ton of weight in the primary outer holes (using stock arms), so it isn't so loaded up that the backshift is slow...a killer on a mnt sled when you have to get out of it when climbing and then get back on it.
You might get more mnt riders info on this in the mnt forum.
Be aware, the set up you're talking about will be great off the trail, but really suck on the trail if a lot of cornering...it'll push through the corners if you get on it, as the traction from a track like that will lift the skis and want to just go in a straight line. I guess I'm just trying to say that a "happy medium" on the trails won't happen IMO with that length of track. It will however have great mid-range performance due to traction and lower gearing if it is set up right. It should pull really hard to about 65-70 mph.
You might get more mnt riders info on this in the mnt forum.
Be aware, the set up you're talking about will be great off the trail, but really suck on the trail if a lot of cornering...it'll push through the corners if you get on it, as the traction from a track like that will lift the skis and want to just go in a straight line. I guess I'm just trying to say that a "happy medium" on the trails won't happen IMO with that length of track. It will however have great mid-range performance due to traction and lower gearing if it is set up right. It should pull really hard to about 65-70 mph.
YooperWoods
New member
With that much track I'd also recommend going to extrovert drivers and maybe dropping a tooth on them depending on what you have now. On my 04 Rev I went from a 121 x 1.25 track to a 144 x 2" track and I had problems with ratcheting. I replaced the stock 10t drivers with 9t extros which also gave a 10% reduction in gearing and I had no more ratcheting. That 144 x 2 is now on my 91 Phazer and I did the same thing there, went from 8t to 7t extros. You can run the track a little looser with the extros too.
mod-it
Member
Mnt viper comes with 8 tooth drivers.
GLamer44
New member
Appreciate the input so far. Now you've got me wondering if there might be a better option in terms of replacing the skid.
A couple of bucks
VIP Member
Have you considered rail extensions? You could save some coin going that route. Then take that money you would've plunked down on a new skid & send the shocks in for a rebuild.
Last edited:
I happen to have a Viper with an RX1 skid under it that was extended out to 159", Aaen triple pipes, Speedwerx head, and boydsen reeds. Unfortunately the sled is new to me, but with all the stuff on it I knew it was a great deal for what I paid. I don't know what it's got for clutching or for needles or jetting. The guy before me really went to great lengths to do everything top notch on this sled, so as I find out more of it's secrets I'll post them up in here.
yammitrip1
Member
Lsxrt. Start a new thread post some pics of that monster. Find out as much info on that thing that you can before you ride it and go through the carb circuits
A couple of bucks
VIP Member
What altitude do you ride?
GLamer44
New member
Sea level up to a couple of thousand feet, max. Probably going to skip the skid swap this year since the snow has arrived early and in large quantity - but hopefully I'll get the set of Bender pipes on in the next couple of weeks. I'm just holding out now for some info on the jetting set-up.
A couple of bucks
VIP Member
Before the pipes go on, at least install an Opticool. Read the first bullet under the features.
http://www.benderracing.com/Opticool_Headgasket_p/hgv02.htm
And any year SRX base base gasket. The Opticool is pretty much a MUST with pipes and the base gasket will augment the Opticool cooling as well.
A larger rear cooler(SRX)is probably in your future too.
http://www.benderracing.com/Opticool_Headgasket_p/hgv02.htm
And any year SRX base base gasket. The Opticool is pretty much a MUST with pipes and the base gasket will augment the Opticool cooling as well.
A larger rear cooler(SRX)is probably in your future too.
Last edited:
GLamer44
New member
Perfect, thanks. I neglected to mention the Opticool head gasket as well.