To vent or not to vent on a M8?

summitrookie · Dec 1, 2007

Do you really need to add venting to the clutch and exhaust sides on an M8? What are your thoughts? Anyone just leave it the way it is?
Thanks,
Eli

killerrf · Dec 1, 2007

i would think if you are heavy mountain rider then extra venting probably would be needed. but out in the prairie or flatlands travelling speeds are much higher which probably wouldnt need venting. most of my riding is on the flatlands... but i still put venting on the clutch side. cause i could make my f7 cook. im sure the m8 wont be no different.

winter brew · Dec 1, 2007

I had a M900. I started out with the stock hood and no vents at all, dialed in clutching and dropped alot of clutch heat with settup. I thn added a mesh hood and venting in the shock wells on both sides. To be honest I don't think my clutch/belt temps changed a bit. It definatly doesn't hurt, but don't expect any noticable difference.

cowkiller · Dec 1, 2007

to vent or not to vent...that is the ?

I did it and had no melting issues with my 07 M8
some guys did others did'nt. I am still on my original belt. I did'nt do it to the wifey's m6 and we have had no problems with that sled either. But it is ridden differently.
I would do it again to a sled I was riding most of the time.

summitrookie · Dec 1, 2007

Has anyone just mounted some flowrites behind the shocks?

Lucias · Dec 1, 2007

Buy the vent kit.. I never had anything melt or blew a belt.. Well worth the money.. You better consistency each climb with the vents IMO.. talk to 2fun4u

unclemark · Dec 1, 2007

summitrookie said:
Has anyone just mounted some flowrites behind the shocks?

i ran 1 4 2 years worket fine until sled caght fire and melted the flowrite fabric

badass1000 · Dec 1, 2007

I have a flow rite in front of the clutch and 2 fun 4 you side panels. I replaced my stock belt with a carlisle xs at about 600 miles because the stock one was looking used and I figured what the hell. at 1350 miles I blew the carlisle xs. bought another carlisle xs. Sent it in and $8 return shipping and got a new one from carlisle a month later. Kept my reciept for the one I bought so I will have warranty on the belt untill the end of this year. Buying one belt a year is not bad.
A hell of alot better then my buddy who's belt goes out just before 300 miles like clock work on his poo 600. He bought 4 belts last year.

Dirtydude · Dec 2, 2007

I vented mine mostly because of the front factory vents in the hood.

I got sick of snow pushing in my screens and filling up the front of my hood on top of the airbox, would get bad enough to pinch the accordian hose off.

I got some vents at a snow show from mountain fit hoods, looks like it will totally solve my front vent issue.

I also purchased side vents, more as an afterthought. I like their prices and decided to give it a try.

Never had any melting issues on my sled, but I would always lift the hood a lot too...with the vents in place I think I can leave my hood down now.

Stonefly · Dec 5, 2007

DirtyDude,

I tried looking for Mountain Fit Hoods and it gives me a link to a site that shows the hoods but it does not show anything for front hood vents. Do you happen to have a phone number or a contact name? There is no address or phone number on the site. Thank you.

Dirtydude · Dec 5, 2007

K.Materi · Dec 5, 2007

I went with 2 cool vents. The quality and customer service is great and that is worth a few more dollars, jmo

Suzzy-Q · Dec 5, 2007

anyone here take a temperature reading from their sheev's after some riding and a couple hard pokes up a hill. if so what temperatures did you find, primary and secondary.

runhard · Dec 6, 2007

Suzzy Q it does help alot just allowing the heat to escape from under the hood i had a M8 162 with 2cool side vents and i put my own vents in the top of the hood and put 1000 miles on it with the stock belt in alot of deep snow riding . A must i believe !

CATSLEDMAN1 · Dec 6, 2007

to vent or not

Riding here in Western Montana, the last 10 years of Arctic Cats benefitted from good vents about 3 or 4 days a year when you went out and found 4' of heavy powder, riding at slow speeds with it pinned eating fuel making lots of heat. I ride 2 or 3 days a week, I will hit some of those days this year with my M8. Some of my pals that pick and choose sledding days will not and avoid those days and watch the NFL. Vents marginal for them.If you are careful about the days you ride, forget the vents.

I had my M8 hood and side vents carved up before the first ride/ my M7 would'nd cut it without vents or my two F7's and you just got back throught the list. You can walk the showrooms and look at other brands of sleds that need the same thing. The motors get bigger, the engines run leaner, the engine compartments are tigher for swoopier hoods and looks, and heat kills.

For some FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION...........MAKE VENTS

For some.........CURB APPEAL RULES................DON'T VENT.

Suzzy-Q · Dec 6, 2007

Suzzy-Q said:
anyone here take a temperature reading from their sheev's after some riding and a couple hard pokes up a hill. if so what temperatures did you find, primary and secondary.

i was just trying to find if there was a major differance in clutch heat from vented or non vented sleds my m8 is nealry box stock besides my cutler secondary and DD primary spring, no vents. and after i bag on the motor some up some steep and deep pokes and toss a few pinned out powder nuts in there somewheres and i toss up the hood and check my clutch sheave temperature with a lazer temp reader. im messing around with my clutching to get better performance and keep my clutch heat down for consistancy. i was just trying to find some similarities and differences. my buddy on his M1000 his clutches were like 100 degrees (F) hotter then mine, needless to say i was shocked and thought to myself im doing good things.

Polar Express · Dec 7, 2007

I bought vents from fastlane, good service, good price, nice product. Im a believer in prevention, and I like the throttle. One factory M7 belt costs almost the amount of a set of vents, (even more for the premium Carlisle) even on a 'maybe'.... I'll spend the $$ for the prevention- but that's my attitude about most things. I believe it definitely helps to have the clutches aligned and setup correctly.

mblanken881 · Dec 7, 2007

i had some melting issues last year on my M8. So I made my own side vents for less than $40. Look just as good or better then ones you buy. I can post pics if you want.

blome750 · Dec 7, 2007

lets see your vents mblanken!!! what did u use to make them????:beer;

enis750 · Dec 8, 2007

i never vented mine, i have over 3k on my sled
never an issue
i just open up the hood at the end of the day b/f loading it up
some dudes say that you owe beers if you do that!! ha ha!!!
i am yet to buy any

maybe they all know i drive a "M-elter 8 though" ha ha!!

To vent or not to vent on a M8?

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