I'll tell you what, I still don't believe what happened today, but I can tell you that the 7c is one helluva sled both on the trails and on the lake.

I'm not used to the sled at all after trading in my '01 MXZ 800Zx, but on the trails, it certainly easily holds it's own with my buddys' ZRT 800, ZR800 and ZR900, especially in the bumps. I picked it up at the dealer's at about 1 this afternoon and we rode about 50 miles. I really like this thing and I'm sure I'll like it a lot more once I get used to the new riding position and dial in the suspension. Right now, the front springs are set at 3, center is half way and coupling blows are on the second smallest flat. I'm about 5'11" and weigh about 190 suited up.

One thing to note is that SkiDoo apparently hasn't delivered any of the special tunnel protectors for this model yet, although there is a part number for them. I guess because of the different tunnel, the 7c will require different protectors than the Sport and X models.

Now on to the unbelieveable part of the story. Last year, my 800X with a Dynoport pipe and a Goodwin clutch kit ran about even with my buddy's ZRT 800 triple triple. Most of the time, he'd pull me a little out of the hole (we both had 192 studs), then I'd catch up to even in the midrange and after 100, he'd gradually pull away. This is what I would expect and seems perfectly normal. Not this year. Lake was hardpacked snow. Had him out of the hole, bigtime in the midrange and when I let off at just over 100, I had him by 4 or 5 lengths and he was still losing a little ground at that point, he told me later. Had I not been "breaking it in" I suspect that eventually he would have inched by, but certainly not till way over 100. Both of us were shaking our heads in disbelief. Did it again from a 10 MPH rollon. Same thing.


Anyway, hold onto your hats for the next anecdote. When we first unloaded before the trail ride, my two friends had two races out on the lake with their '02 ZR800 and '03 ZR900. Now, the ZR800 has twin pipes, clutch kit, V Force reeds, mild porting, 192 studs and is geared up just a hair (the ZR800's run better this way). The ZR900 is stock with 144 studs. The ZR800 was dynoed at a little over 160 HP on a Land and Sea dyno a couple of weeks ago. Well, they really ran dead even. The guy with the ZR900 even said that the ZR800 was just starting to creep up at the top end when they let off at a bit over 100, but they raced twice and the outcome would have been based on who go the better holeshot as they were side by side.

Last year, my buddy with the ZR800 had a single pipe on it, but other than that, everything else was the same as this year. With my '01 MXZ 800x, I couldn't get near him. He had me from any speed, holeshot, midrange and top end as he should have. The ZR800's have incredible midrange pull right out of the box. Now, I have to admit that he also did nothing to the clutching after he put twin pipes on this year, but I beat him too! Holeshot and midrange up to about 105 on the speedo. The first race was a roll-on from about 10 MPH. He was easy on it when he punched it because he wanted me to get a reasonable hookup because I had no studs. He told me afterwards that, in retrospect, this was a big mistake. The second race we both came out of the holeshot even, then I pulled him all the way up. I figure about 2 to 3 lengths at the end. He wasn't gaining either. We were really shaking our heads after this encounter. Could he beat me after dialing in the clutch? I would hope so with 160 HP, but what about his equal races with the ZR900? What about the 10 hour timing advance? Is the 7c geared different than the other REV's? How should I know; last week I didn't even know this model existed.

So that's about it. I have no grudge against Arctic Cats. I really like them and have for many years. I hear that the new Firecats are really unbelieveable. What I am trying to get across here is that the 7c is really fast and is well mannered on trails. Is it faster than Sport of X models? I have no idea. I happened to benchmark it against known sleds that just happened to be AC's, so let's not get into a AC/SD battle. Personally, I'm still in shock. Your results, of course, may vary.

Doug

Doug, I've got an 02' MXZ 800 with 192 picks, goodwin clutch kit, carbon fiber reeds, mprp trail can and a little bit of a shaved head... I picked up my new 7c REV X last weekend and put 320 miles on it.... before the break in period was up I'd swear my REV was "quicker" than my MXZ is. I can't explain it either.... just seems to have the juice at the throttle. The most amazing thing for me is the mpg. I'm not sure you've even checked, or noticed yet.... I was concerned as I've seen alot of DPM equipted sleds getting #### poor gas mileage. I got 15 mpg on pre-mix! Thought I'd made a mistake.... every tank, for the full 320 miles was at 14.5-15 mpg. I'm going out with a buddy of mine this week for a 6 day trip and he has an 01' MXZ X and my other buddy has a RX-1, and a 3rd with an SRX who is fast as hell with 144 chissel picks. I'll see what my REV has... but my guess is it will be awesome. The bumps? What bumps? Love this sled. :D

I assume you guys are running stock clutching? I have the same sled and was beat last year on my 02 800x by another friends 02 800x and a Cat 02 800 EFI Cross Country Special. This year on the Blair I was able to beat both of them. My buddy with the 02 800x changed to 18.2 gram pins and a 160/270 spring and actually had a better holeshot than I did the next day but I was running him down. He was studded and I am not. I have posted several times on different threads on this forum about the studding issues on the 7c. Glad to hear Ski-doo is coming out with a kit for this sled because that is the only way to stud it correctly.

I was a little p!ssed to find out that they don't have the protectors in stock for the Blair REV yet..... I don't like to ride without studs.... I hope like hell they come in soon. I am running all stock on my REV at the moment, won't touch it if I can keep smoking everything... sounds like your having good luck with yours. :D

:hallo1: Maybe there is a sled to replace my old Mach. :inlove: Sweet looking sled. Anyone check the topend on one of these buties? How long have they been out?

No one's been able to check top end because no one's got enough time on them to get past the breakin timing thing.

I was up at my dealer today and they have there blair studded
they used the old tunnel protecters they told me all that they did was tap them in with a hammer and they go right in you might want to check into this.

Mach 1,
It's not that they can't be made to slide into the channels, it's that channel side-to-side offsets are different on the 7c. Normally, the protectors line up with the windows in the track where you wouldn't put studs to begin with. Check out how the protector slots on a 7c line up with respect toward the track windows and you'll see that they don't, thus limiting the placement of the studs to a very small side-to side stagger. Why they made it different is beyond me, but the fact that it is different makes it necessary to get the special 7c kit.

all i no is that they had at least 144 studs in it maybe more i didnt ask but i looked at it and the tunnel protecters run straight down the center of the heat exchangers

I know that my 7c REV is fast, I dont have mine studded yet but would LOVE to.

I saw 100mph last night in a hurry but let off as soon as I got there so I dont know to end yet. I dont really care about to end anyways though.

If there are special Blair Morgan REV tunnel protectors that are coming out Id love to hear about that also. Part numbers? Arrival? Are they a definate?

I feel the sled is too soft. Rides excellent but I dont want to bottoming out either.

I dont find it tippy in corners just strange because you have to lean differently.

I like it alot! It is colder than a zx though. Mine will be even colder because i have a 440 REVx windshield and handlebar kit ordered for it. They look AWESOME with those kits on them.

Well Id like to hear more on the studding issue.

Is everybody running the stock 166 belt on clicker 3?? Mach1, that sled you saw has a lot of studs and must have an interesting pattern.

I saw on the ski-doo site that the production of the 7c is limited. Anyone know how many they are planning to release. Need to raise a little cash but would hate to miss out by waiting.

MXZonly,
did you go riding with your friends yet? was woundering how the sled did against the sleds you listed? You mentioned you though it felt soft, what did you ride before the 7c? Is the 7c suspension any different than the standard Rev 800 x, other than the dropped and rolled chaincase?

MrZzz
I hear Ski Doo is making 2 7c REVs per dealer.
I think the suspension is the same as the normal 800 X REV.
I dont usually race anyone with my sleds but I have been leading with my new 7c REV (without studs still) and the Thundercat disappears in like 5 minutes on the trail and my bud with the 02 700 MXZ stays about the same as he did before when I had my 01 MXZ 800 X. He tells me Im doing fine with this new one, and thinks once Im studded he will have problems keeping up.

I went out yesterday again. Air temp was in the 30's with a light mist and I rode the 7c with my 15 year old son on the trails which were pretty beat up, so I kept it on the slow side. We rode out about 15 miles, then stopped on a lake to watch some ice racing with cars. When I went to start it up again, it wouldn't. I checked the spark and that was good. Pulled the plugs and they were wet. Pulled it over a few times with the plugs out, then waited about 15 minutes and put in new plugs. Held the throttle wide open and it started, but lots of smoke for a minute indicating lots of excess fuel. I noticed that there were moving bubbles in the vent line to the air box in the side cover. It ran fine for the 2 or 3 miles to my friends house and we stopped there for about 15 minutes. Went to start it again and the same thing happened. Put the spare BR9ES's in from my son's MXZ 500 and it started with all the smoke with wide open throttle that it did out on the lake. Rode it 18 miles back to the trailer and it ran absolutely fine. When we got home about 30 minutes later, I figured I try to start it, but this time I used full throttle to begin with and it started without the heavy smoke. Any body know what's up with this?

How many miles do you have on it now?

Mine ran like crap with the first tank of gas. (wouldnt even idle)

and Im finding that it starts like my 01 used to sometimes I have to crack the throttle a tad for it to start, (not full throttle though and not all the time).

MXZonly,
I took it out again today and had none of the same problems. I agree with you about your MXZ starting drill. I think the 7c is the same. When the motor is warm and you let it sit for maybe 15 minutes, it won't start with no throttle. Perhaps being a little in the gun-shy mode, I let it sit for about 20 minutes after about an hour of riding. I pulled it with no throttle and nothing happened. I then gave it full throttle on the second pull and she fired right up. I remember this drill from my '01 MXZ 800, only not with full throttle, just a little. I suspect that this will be the case with the 7c as well.

As a side note, my 15 year old son who rides the '00 MXZ 500, got on the 7c out on the lake and was flabergasted. He's small for his age and only weighs about 110, but he was slackjawed at how it pulls. Last year, he and I would line up and he'd have me out of the hole, but I'd overtake him in about 150 or so feet. This year, he can't even get the holeshot. The 7c REV hooks up better than the ZX for sure.

Anyone know if the other 2003 800 REV's or Zx's have this warm starting problem and what causes it. I didn't hear or see any change in the engine setup. Is there anything that can be done to eliminate this problem.

I got the 600ho and when its warm i've always got to give it a little gas to start it.

Roton.

Make sure you have your carb heaters turned off.

If your driving slow and the engine heats up the carb heaters will boil the gas causing vapor lock. Nothing you do will start it other then holding the throttle wide open and cranking it for a long time.

THe valve for the carb heat is read and right infront of the carbs on a little black hose. Its on the left side of the machine. have the valve pointing up.

Im almost 100% sure that is your problem. And also with skidoos engines. Hold the throttle half a cm as you press start.

I have the REV X 800... when its warm I also have to crack the throttle when starting. If I ride it real hard for a bit and then don't let it idle to long before turning it off, I will get a nasty backfire. Looks like its a bit on the rich side.

Doesnt the 7C version have the same engine as the regular X or sport REV? I don't think I would be able to take a 160HP sled.

Machzzzz1,
You win the prize! I have little doubt that what you say is the case. The conditions of that ride were that the air temp was maybe 35-38 degrees and we were on very narrow slow trails for the last 4 or 5 miles before we got out onto the lake. The minute we got out onto the lake, my son brought to my attention that the temperature gauge on his '00 MXZ 500 was approaching the bottom of the red zone. At this point, I looked down at my sled's speedo and saw that the overtemp light was just starting to blink every few seconds. We ran at about 30 MPH in loose snow on the lake for about a minute and the temps went down. Several minutes later, we stopped at the foot of the lake and shut the sleds down for about 15 minutes. It was then that I had the problem restarting.

Two things that I noticed at that time underscore what you mention about vapor lock. The first is that the carb heat valve was definitely on the "on" postition. The second is that I could see little bubbles traveling up the carb vent tube that goes into the airbox. The manual says that this valve should be left on under 41 degrees F, but I suspect that the high engine temperature just prior to this, combined with the high ambient air temp was probably the cause. My '01 MXZ 800 had no carb heater valve and I never had any problem with carb icing, so for sure, I'll be leaving it off when temps get into the 30's.

Again, nice call, Mach!

In regard toward the 7c seeming quicker, I have another piece of information that may or may not be valid. I was talking to the owner of my local Ski Doo dealership on Saturday about how the sled fared in it's lineup with the ZR's and the ZRT and he theorized on a potential answer. He said that there may be a chance that because the 600 HO's were really quick and some people were somewhat dissapointed that the 800's were only marginally faster, that Ski Doo may have tweaked these latest 800's. I asked him if he thought that it might be possible that Ski Doo had been able to make the sea level reliability good enough on the 800 HO used in the Summit, to slip them into the Blairs. He didn't know, but said it was certainly possible. If the Blairs do indeed have a 10 cog track drive sprocket as compared to a standard REV's 9, this would certainly be indicative of more power being available. Then again, what do I know? Just speculating here.

Thanks again for the info.

I have never used the carb heaters on my 02 MXZ 600 X or my Blair REV and probably wont unless it gets real cold. (like single digits and below)

I had my 01 800 preseason checked and they went all through it and adjusted a bunch of stuff and replaced my reeds/cages and after I got it back it ran better than ever. It idled itself down like a sled should for a change and also I didnt have to crack the throttle to start it warm anymore. Not sure what all they did but it worked.

on studing my dealer has a blair studed with 144 studs and there are studs on the outside edge of the track and all they used for tunnel protecters is the old plastic ones just tap them in with a hammer and they have no problems with studs hitting the tunnel or the heat exchangers

mach1: if you get a chance to ask or if you already know can you tell me if your dealer with the 7c REV just put the taller protectors in the close together stock slots or if they first added the Ski Doo REV kit then put in the protectors? Because the ones that come on there are pretty close together and Im not so sure about a good pattern in the center belt the way they come from the factory. If it will work and work good, great but if its not gonna be so good Id rather put the kit in there and have a good up the middle pattern.

Thanks

I am in the process of getting mine done by my dealer with a kit designed for the 440x racer with the 800 motor in it. Will know details tomorrow. The tunnel protector kit for the Blair is on backorder. Also Ski-doo rep is recommending bulkhead protectors for the Blair if using the 1.25 track and 10 tooth drivers! :cussing:

they told me they just used the old plastic tunnel protecters in the slots that are there and it has a 144 stud pattern with studs on the outside
of the track but i will ask again the next time iam there which will be later this week.

Either of you Mach dudes:
Please let me know what the proper studding techniques for the Blair REV are. Id love to hear more about the 440 with 800 kit or the backordered 7c kit.