Hi Folks: I have been looking for a T-Cat and think I may have found what I am looking for.. It is on E-Bay and is at $2400 right now with 6 days left.. The person that is selling it has put in the auction that the 98's were the fastest of the stock T-Cats. Is this true? The machine has 1000 miles on it and it is all stock except for silencers (I would rather have a stock one!!). I went and looked at the sled and IT IS MINT and it RIPS!! It's track is like new and the studs (I believe are Stud Boy's) are at 95%. The person selling the sled says that the original owner (he is second owner) paid over $10000 USD for this sled. 2nd question - IS THAT POSSIBLE?? I am in Michigan about 250 miles from where the sled is located so I wouldn't have to pay shipping.. What would be a fair price to pay for this AWESOME big Cat? What would be the MAXIMUM I should pay? I know this sled is not for everyone but I REALLY want one BAD - I just dont want to pay WAY to much!! I have ridden the F-7's, the ZR800's and some of the "other brands" and NOTHING gets my blood flowing like that big triple :) I have owned LOTS of other, smaller sleds and I have GOT to have one of these before they are gone forever - so PLEASE help me and dont try to talk me out of it :) !!!
GOT IT BAD!!!!!
Sled4me

I have heard that the 900's were faster than the 1000's, is a 98 a 900 or 1000? I have heard from several people that th 96-97 were the fastest. My buddy has a 96 and his hauls ###. I have an 800 that is piped adn he gets me on top end good.

Thats defintly a oggd price for that sled with such low miles and if the previous owner paid $10,000 USD for it he got srewed severly. The 98's were defintly one of the best years for the T-cats. For a max bid I wouldn't go any higher the $4000.

Not sure if you might be interested.......but i know someone who is selling a 00 t-cat i very good shape for $3900.

It is bone stock with like 3500 miles on it, brand new track, only thing is it does have a seat tear where the tank meets the seat.

I did a compression test on it, and all 3 cylinders read a 500.

It is black in color, and overall a very nice sled.

let me know!

My name is Brad.

Brad,

500 pounds compression?? That sled must run on diesel fuel because I have never heard of a gas motor that high.

Originally posted by 700Rocket@Jan 19 2004, 10:33 PM
Brad,

500 pounds compression?? That sled must run on diesel fuel because I have never heard of a gas motor that high.
:withstupid: I wondered that too, though I just thought is was a way of saying that they were good. Should be somewheres around 120 I think. Imagine trying to pull that 500psi T-cat over on a -40 day, dont think it would happen LOL

The '98 T-Cat was the 1st year for the 1000cc engine, and the last year for the older style chassis. The differences between the '98 and the '99, is the pipes and the airbox. 1997 was the 1st year for the long-travel rear suspension with the E.T.T. tunnel, which gave these cats a better ride. As far as performance, it doesn't take much to make a 900 T-Cat win over a 1000 T-Cat--a few clutching and jetting changes, and also suspension setting usually does the trick. As far as that goes, i would have no problem running my '97 ZRT 800 up against any stock T-Cat, regardless of the size. I would agree that $4000 U.S. is about top money for that machine...providing that it is pretty mint. Someday, the big triples, all susuki triples for that matter, will be hard to find, and they are very reliable and strong runners.

sorry guys LOL i meant 150!!!!

LOL

Yea that would be a ***** to pull over at 500.

if you are comfortable spending 4000 on that sled,,,then it is a good deal,,,, that seems pretty low in miles and you say its in decent shape,,,, just know that in ebay, people dont bid until the last minute,,,

:D Hi Sled4me:
I know EXACTLY what you are going thru!! I finally found one of them T-Cats myself and glad I did - THEY ARE AWESOME sleds with AWESOME power.. Absoulutly the funnest sled I have EVER owned, BAR NONE!! I am finding that the "big bore" Cat is VERY reliable and a true pleasure to own. I have put over 2500 miles on mine now and it hasnt even so much as fouled a plug yet!! I agree with you about staying stock, mine is and I think this adds to its durability. As far as the 98's being the fastest. I can verify this to be true. I have raced 4 900 T-Cat's , 2 - 2001's T-Cat, 1 - 2000 T-Cat and had NO problem with any of them! I have also raced 4 MachZ Ski-doo's, 2 F7's, 2 ZR800's and 1 ZR900 and the only sled of all these that are even in the running was a piped ZR800 that, at a 40 mph float could stay beside me to 85 - THAT IS AN AWESOME SLED IN ITS OWN RIGHT!! Be careful putting money out about racing though cause there are ALOT of "non-stock" sleds out there that are REAL fast!! I saw a modified 700 Ski-Doo whip EVRYTHING that came in its wake the other day - course the guy had over $12,000 in a motor job - MONEY IS EVERYTHING when it comes to racing!!
I have NO DOUBT that the T-Cat you are looking at was over $10000 back in 98. I remember them well at that price! I had a friend that bought one BRAND NEW in 1997 (it was a 900 though) and he paid 9650 out the door for his! So yea, $10000 out the door is VERY real!!
I think $4500 for a REAL NICE STOCK 1998 model is tops - I wouldnt give that for one of the newer ones because you have to change things to get the pep back out of them and I LIKE STOCK! Nice ones are hard to find and getting harder to come by all the time! IMHO, If you can get it for under $3000 you have stole it!! As mentioned earlier about E-Bay - the REAL bidding dont start until the last few minutes. If I were you, I would decide on a maximum bid for the sled and "proxy bid" it to that amount. I have found that it (the proxy) keeps the "late bidding frenzy" down ALOT!!
ANyway, hope this all helps!!
Good luck on getting your sled, YOUR GONNA LOVE IT!!
Woodsy SWRules

Thanks you guys for ALL the great feedback!! If anybody has anymore advice about all this I would REALLY like to hear it!!
I hear you Woodsy about the "racing is about $$" issue. If I had an endless supply (of cash) I would be first in line for one of those PSI motors and I would have a full fledged tuner working for me.... Problem is I don t have the endless supply and $10000 plus is just way outof my league - so I have to settle for "factory" horse power :D . This is also why I REALLY think NOW is the time to buy this T-Cat - they are no longer being produced and I want one BEFORE it's to late! Doesnt appear that the liberal "greenies" are getting any weaker :(
Thanks again to all that responded!
Sled4me

the 1998 1000 t cat was a great sled .if you buy, got a clutch kit that makes this thing wake up. now for speed bought the 98 new here in canada 12300.00 plus taxes.then bought a 2001 t cat new same price. but the 2001 will blow the doors off a 98 till you clutch it and put v force reads in it . then it will be closer to same speed done the racing seen needs belive me or not 65 gr weights thats in kit two springs and helix in kit if you would like moe info let me know i ll help you :D

Thanks again guys for all the GREAT input. Vacman, is the "clutch kit" your speaking about something that I would buy as a "kit" or is it something that I have to buy in separate pieces? WHat is the name of the kit? How hard is it to install this "kit" and do I need any special tools to do so? Also, I checked on the Vforce reeds you mentioned and have found that I can get the Vforce 2's ALOT cheaper then the Vforce 3's. Which ones are you talking about and are they that much different (2's vs 3's)?
Might as well get started talking about "affordable upgrades" because I am going to buy one of these T-Cats! Perhaps the one on E-Bay - it is still below $3000!
Thanks a zillion folks!
Sled4me

I wouldnt give over $3500. I purchased a 01 tcat with 730 miles black magic pipes reeds and a clutch kit for $4350.U.S look around there are some good deals out there , as far as compression 150 seems high I think someones gauge is off

Originally posted by gamer@Jan 21 2004, 03:52 PM
I wouldnt give over $3500. I purchased a 01 tcat with 730 miles black magic pipes reeds and a clutch kit for $4350.U.S look around there are some good deals out there , as far as compression 150 seems high I think someones gauge is off
I would say you got a GREAT deal on that 01 T-Cat. I looked it up on kelly blue book and the 98 T-Cat high retail is around $4,200. sled4me good luck with the auction and I hope you end up the winner cause there an awsome sled. Keep us informed on the outcome. :devil:

the kit is complete i was talking about .its black magic heartthrob. about the reeds buy the number threes .i had the twos ,pedals break off. threes much better but i ve got to tell you something if you take you re stock cages out and open them up a bit , you ll have nearly as good as spending the money for v force reeds, unless you re changing the pipes. :D if not save you re money . the best bang for the buck is the clutch kit . i paid over 450.00 for it will sell for 225.00

Does he have a buy it now price? If you went and looked at it, I'd call the guy back and make him a solid offer. Most people are more willing to sell directly to someone that can pick it up. If you get a conversation going with him, he might even tell you what the reserve is and you could offer him that if you're willing to pay it. Good luck!

Hey Vacman: I will do some checking on that clutch kit! If I end up with this T-Cat I may VERY well take you up on it! May I ask why you are selling the kit? How many miles on it? How hard to install is it?
JJ: The guy doesnt have a "buy it now" price but he does have it for sale locally for $3800 and would be willing to sell it outright for $3600. It is at $2650 last time I looked and has REALLY drawn ALOT of attention! He siad he would like to wait and see how the auction comes out BEFORE he sells it outright for less then the $3600 (I dont blame him!). I may go ahead and bid it to the next step...
On another note, someone mentioned 150 PSI for a stock 1000 cc T-cat compression. Is that even possible? I think I better start a new thread and inquire about that..
Thanks again for ALL the help folks!!
THUNDERCAT - Sled4me :lol:

the only sleigh this kit will work in is 98 t cat.about 500 miles on it .i sold my 98 tcat bought 2001 the kit wouldn t work on that sleigh the 98 t cat turns 8300 the 2001 turns 85 i got no use for it now as i bought a 2004900zr with diamond drive so if you buy give me a call at my shop anytime i ll fill you in on some secrets for that sleigh give me you re e mail adress i ll get to you with my phone number
:D :D w00t