600 Liberty vs 700 vs 800

[Snowspud]

Im sure this has been explained a bunch of times before, but I looked around and didnt see a simple thread explaining it.

Im previously a owner of a '02 600 liberty that went 9000 trouble free miles, never apart. Saw many other 600's that were in the 7000 range also.

We also had some 800's but would encounter the crank bearing troubles when stock and less than half the miles of the 600.


My dillema is, there are virtually no 600's for sale in my area.

I see a ton of 800 RMK's and a big amount of 700's.

Im leary of the 800 unless they have done the bearing improvement job. What is the story with the 700 in comparison ?

Agin, sorry for questions, but I am just not familiar with the 700 or 800.

Any basic info and things to do would be greatly appreciated !

 

[sled_guy]

700s are as durable as the 600s. None of the issues that the 800 cranks had. Every failure I've seen on a 700 was self induced.

You can get an 04'ish 700RMK and put an SLP single pipe on it and it will give you years of trouble free super performance.

sled_guy

 

[Snowspud]

Were there changes in the 700 RMK throughout its run ?

What year did PERK reverse come in ?

Any changes in additional cooling in later years ?

 

[sled_guy]

04 and 05 had PERC and DET.

04 you could get a standard RMK and a Vertical Escape. The VE had a different chaincase and brake and trailing arms. In 05 there was just one, it was the VE setup.

From what I saw, the 02 was actually the fastest... some of them came with pretty tight heads in 02 to the point where they were borderline too high of compression, but they sure did run nice.

sled_guy

 

[Drewd]

I have an 08 700 IQ with a high comp head (PAR 13.6:1) and new pistons with 2 rings instead of 1 really wakens the motor up. With an SLP can it pulls as hard as my stock '14 Pro even though it is heavier.

Check the classifieds, lots of 700's with 3-5,000 miles on them without even a top end.

 

[Snowspud]

Thanks for the replys !


So was mechanical reverse around in the RMK's that were '03 and older ?

I cant say I have run across one with mechanical yet. Only in short track edges like a Classic.

Was PERK a installable option on the pre '04 RMK's ?


Please keep the info comeing guys, and thanks !

 

[sled_guy]

Mechanical reverse was available for years. In 01 the 600 RMK came with reverse. In 02 Polaris went to the valved motor for the 700 and 800 in the RMK, no electronic reverse. In 03 the 800 Escape came with electronic reverse and Polaris made a flywheel change. In 03, for the non-escape, you could buy a reverse kit for the 700 and 800 to put electronic reverse on them. You could do it on the 02 but you had to change the flywheel.

sled_guy

 

[sno*jet]

Ive had a 7 and 800 in those style. They ran great but in hind site im not a fan of the big block motors. mostly because of the water pump belt. needs replacing once in a while and on a higher mileage motor you might find the water pump shot (wobbly pulley). kind of a pita.

i think it was in 02 the 600 small block came out in the rmk.
lighter motor with internal water pump.
Its basically the same block they bored to 700 in the IQ chassis, and to 800 and used through the pro rmk years.
The 6/700 small blocks last a long time. a bit milder powerband than the big blocks, but top end was great and had lighter feel, more playful imo.

 

[sled_guy]

sno*jet is correct, the 600 small block came out in the 02 RMK, not the 01.

sled_guy

 

[Snowspud]

So did the 600 small block go all the way from '02 thru '05 ?

If so, when did it get PERK ?

 

[sno*jet]

So did the 600 small block go all the way from '02 thru '05 ?

If so, when did it get PERK ?

yes, all edge chassis 600s, and still using today basically.
It sounds like they all might have gotten Perc but idk.
good motors.

 

[sled_guy]

All the small block 600s in the RMKs had PERC. In 02 they used the Polaris reverse driven, not the TEAM. A great clutch.

sled_guy

 

[Snowspud]

Hmmmmm, its starting to sound like if your not bent on displacement and absolute power, a 600 small block may still be the least trouble and longest troublefree life.

So I think I may be best to hold out for a '02 thru '05 600 smallblock RMK that has PERK reverse.

Im guessin this is gonna be a long hunt, as all Im seeing is boatloads of 800's and the occasional 700.

Im ruleing out 800's at this point. And not so sure about the 700 in light of the water pump belt.

I ride real easy, and have had great luck with the 600. I just dont wanna step into some sled that isnt able to be trusted.

I ride alone alot, very wilderness area's, and dont wanna do the walk of shame overnight.

 

[BILTIT]

Gates makes a much stronger belt for the water pump, pretty much negates the issue.

 

[Snowspud]

Thanks very much, good to know.

So any troubles with the water pump itself ?

Any chance you have the Gates belt number ?

 

[BILTIT]

https://snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=267514

http://www.hardcoresledder.com/foru...l-discussion/546321-gates-h20-pump-belts.html



I have them in every 800/910 i own.

I have a spare at home, i can double check the part number tonight.

 

[volcano buster]

I bought my '05 700 new. Good sled overall.
Bought my wife an '04 600 with 86 miles on it. Good sled overall.
Bought a 2010 600 (660 from Carl's). Good sled but had to replace pistons and refinish one cylinder last winter at 2300 miles. Probably a shorter fuse than a stock 600.

With prices coming down, the '07 and '08 600 or 700's might be in your price range and ride a bit better with the A-arms up front and a bit more clearance to keep from getting stuck as easy as the Edge platform.