Hey everyone, I've got a 2003 A/C mountain cat 600/144". So far, I've gotten an 8" idler wheel kit, a rumble pack silencer, and I've tightened the secondary clutch one notch tighter than stock. Also, I've toed the skis in, and lengthened the front limiter strap.

I don't do much trail riding, this sled is used in the mountains for the big meadows and the ungroomed trails in between. I sled between 5-9k feet and I weight 200lbs.

First off, am I on the right track in terms of tuning my clutching and suspension? I've been going off what my local dealer told me.

And, what other baseline mods should I bee looking at before I get into the heavy duty stuff? The 600 is, by no mean, a hi-po sled, so I'm looking to bust that powder a little better.

Thanks ahead of time.

Why toe in on the skis? Is that something special that mountain riders do? Normal ski alignment is slight toe out. The first place to start is always with clutching. Get a clutch kit, or set-up that is best suitied to your riding style and conditions and you will get the most out of what you got.

I wonder if the toe-in thing is correct... this is a small town and there is a lot of false information going around. The skis were set that way when I got it, I'll try toeing them out and see what's different.

I've heard the next couple things I should do is drill my track and get a lightweight seat... does that sound right?

I'd save the money and use it for gas. You can spend bags of money on all sorts of gimmicks and gizmos and it won't make much real difference. If you find the 600 just won't do it for you your best bet would be to trade it on an 800, or 900 instead of modding the 600.

Thanks for the advice.

If I were to drill my track, in what manner should it be done?

Not quite sure if you are allowed to mention other forums on here, but there is another one that is composed primarily of mountain riders, where you will likely get more information. There are volumes of information there on track drilling and lightweight seats, and many knowledgeable people who could tell you exactly what to do to make that sled perform in those conditions. If you aren't familiar with it, google should find it for you quickly.

I'm not knocking Snowmobileworld, but it isn't quite as populated by mountain riders.

I agree with 94ZR580. Clutching is where you want to start. I would go against a lightweight seat and drilling the track. Might be a waste of money. That's only my opinion though.

I have a 2000 Powder Special EFI, and I have custom clutching, PSI single, V Force reeds, 8" Big Wheel Kit along with billet bogies. I also added a seat and tank from a 03 Mountain Cat. And out of all those mods, the clutch is the best one of them. The thing screams for a 600.

What specifically are you talking about when you talk about clutching, just adjustments or actually putting a different clutch setup in there?

I was told by the dealer that all I'd ever need to do with the clutching it tighten up the secondary one notch... but again, they're a small shop with not a whole lot of experience.

What specifically are you talking about when you talk about clutching, just adjustments or actually putting a different clutch setup in there?

I was told by the dealer that all I'd ever need to do with the clutching it tighten up the secondary one notch... but again, they're a small shop with not a whole lot of experience.
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What I mean by clutching is... changing out the weights, change out the primary spring, change secondary spring, maybe in a different hole as well. All this makes your sled feel like a different sled. It's the biggest noticeable difference to me. I also make it a good habit to maintain your clutches. After every ride, I get my air compressor out and blow out the "dust" from the clutches. Both primary and secondary.

I see... it looks like I need to do a lot of research on how to change my clutching! I've never really spent any time around clutches like these before so I'm starting from scratch. Thanks for the info.

that's why several companies make "clutch kits" you can by and easily install, that way, most of the guess work is taken out, it really depends on how much testing and tinkering you want to do with it yourself, but if you ask around in this and other "mountain rider" forums somebody will tell you what the best clutch kit for that model is
not that I have actually did this myself, I just ride whatever I can get my hands on, but if I had the cash that is what I would do, different skis make a big difference too, simmons skis seem to be the hot ticket

Clutch kits generally are not developed with mountain sleds and how they are ridden in mind. Very few work as well as a properly tuned setup developed for your sled and the conditions you ride in. It is better and cheaper to learn to do it yourself, than to try and rely upon a cookie cutter clutch kit designed for a sled that is not set up the same as yours or ridden in the same conditions. You are the only one who can tune it in specifically for your riding, unless you have a knwoledgeable buddy who can do it for you. I wouldn not recommned just buying a kit and hoping it will work well, when more performance is available, but the kit leaves it sitting on the table.

I would highly recommend that you do the tinkering. Clutch kits are a waste of money in my opinion. Just like TimberPig said, build it to your specs. If you need any help, PM me or email me. I've been clutching mine for a few years now, and I've got it pretty much handled.

Bill
BordnBill.yzf@verizon.net