My First Arctic Cat: 14' M8000 - Must do mods?

[Nickster914]

Hey everyone. I just picked up a 2014 M8000, 153" Track. The sled is in excellent shape, only 700 miles.

It has a speedwerx can (the quieter one) and racewerx front bumber. Other than that the sled is stock. I'll be riding at 9k feet and above. As far as i can tell the clutching is stock besides 63g weights. I also have 68g weights. I think the 63's should be good right?

People suggest an anti-stab kit and moving the front idler wheels to the inside. As far as i know BDX are the only people that make them. Im also looking to get a skid plate, does anyone have a recommendation for one that protects the most?

Is there anything else you guys would recommend? Thanks!

<a href="http://s239.photobucket.com/user/nickster914/media/14%20snopro2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/nickster914/14%20snopro2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 14 snopro2.jpg"/></a>

 

[kiliki]

your 63 are what you want for 9k and up the 68 will be for 5-9. it should have an anti stab on it stock. Just look at the front of the rails for the 2" wheels in between the rail tips if not the bdx is the way to go. put a tether on it and change the skis out for Polaris grippers. most guys like the 16 cat 36" front end over the 38" of the 14, but being this is your first sled give it a try and see what you think.

 

[summ8rmk]

Tunnel bag.
If u love to sidehill, '16 newer front. Other than that, gas and oil.

Mountain Cat

 

[line8]

Upgrading those 3 things on my 14 made it so much more fun for me.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Nickster914]

The 15's came with the anti stab but the 14's dont. I think i should buy the kit. Ive stabbed the track on my rmk and it sucked! Snapped the track and destroyed the skid.

Any input on moving the front idler wheels to the inside?

The sled already has a tether on it. The 16' front end would be sweet but i dont think its in the cards right now.

 

[Suzzy-Q]

Then start with skis and skinnier running boards this alone will change the way it handles, then take it from there skies the limit depending on what you want

 

[Vern]

Along with the anti stab, I like the 38" '16 style front end(cheaper than 36") skinny running boards, pull the panels in, figure out clutching and it'll be a sidehilling machine and totally different animal from stock form.

 

[Motorbreath_]

The 15's came with the anti stab but the 14's dont. I think i should buy the kit. Ive stabbed the track on my rmk and it sucked! Snapped the track and destroyed the skid.

Any input on moving the front idler wheels to the inside?

You definitely want the anti stab. I was going to say tether, but you got it..

Just take the idlers off, place them on the inside, and bolt them back up. That simple.

There is a ton of stuff I could say, but you really should ride it first and figure some things out on your own. It really depends on your riding style as well.

 

[89sandman]

1. Tunnel and handle bar bags.

2. 36 inch front end.

3. Gold finger lefty.

For me these would be the must haves.

 

[matt159]

Air Temp Sensor

Extend the wires on the air temp sensor & move it down out of the "hot box" area above the pipe... you can buy a kit or just solder on an extension of 2-3 feet & get the sensor down near the front of the sled to help with "hot starts" on the deep days.

 

[Nickster914]

You definitely want the anti stab. I was going to say tether, but you got it..

Just take the idlers off, place them on the inside, and bolt them back up. That simple.

There is a ton of stuff I could say, but you really should ride it first and figure some things out on your own. It really depends on your riding style as well.

Are you sure you can bolt them on the inside? Theyre pretty big... i thought they'd hit the suspension.

 

[kiliki]

Wiil bolt right in

 

[knifedge]

--B&M Fab skinny boards if your yanking and banking, or wait it out till next season
--Wider 16 Cat Mtn or newer skis or the Polaris Pro skis for sure... used or new

--Hyvo chain and gear set conversion like the 16 and newer for sure,,Id definetely do this ... Racinstation probably stocks all you need

Get a spare tie rod also,,, i went thru two last year..super easy to change out on the trail

--this is a great tunnel bag, i run on both sleds ...comes off sled farily easy and fairly cheap also,,have to get the specific bca shovels to fit it

https://www.countrycat.com/arctic-cat-7639-434-shovel-pack-tunnel-bag-2009-2018-xf-m_1

 

[summ8rmk]

I forgot, get the steering support (base of the steering)for the 2015 and newer sleds. Urs will crack.

Mountain Cat

 

[bhoth]

I have a 14 M8000 Sno Pro too and I don't know what you mean by idler wheels from the outside to the inside. Can someone post some pics please?

Thank you

 

[Motorbreath_]

I have a 14 M8000 Sno Pro too and I don't know what you mean by idler wheels from the outside to the inside. Can someone post some pics please?

Thank you

Just take off the idler wheel and flip it around to the inside of the rail.. You use the same bolt holes and mount the wheel exactly the same.. only it goes from the outside of the rail, to the inside.. Its nothing extraordinary. I just did it for looks, and with the mind set the track would flex a little more over the rail to initiate and hold a side hill better... but it probably does nothing.

 

[Readymedic]

Skis...the factory skis are horrible if you are going to elevation like you say. They dive really bad and have no flotation. Drive it and see what you think. Are you a big dude, or a small dude or tall skinny dude??? Large or small.. That sled might kick your ***/might not. Are you aggressive or not so much.. Get a ride on it then mod..you just may like it the way it is.

 

[Frostbite]

Clutching - you would be happy with MDS clutch weights and Speedwerx H5 springs. A 120/310 in the front and a 150/270 (or 170/270) in the secondary.

You may want to cut off or replace your rear snowflap. Once you go into reverse in the deep stuff you'll know why. I have a cut off stock one you could have for free plus shipping, or better yet, just cut your's off on the line that already there.

There's always the 2.6" track mod you could consider. People love it. It basically cuts off half the paddles so the track looks like a 3" Powerclaw. Do a search for it and you can read all about it.

I'll send you some more tips later when I think of them.....

 

[sno*jet]

i would be tempted to put 18 clutches on it.

 

[jakey-boy]

Must do: 16 Front end and gripper skis. Those two things are not optional for me.

Optional:
1. I would replace that adjustable steering post before it gets loose I can't stand those.
2. Bmfab skinny boards are money well spent but unless you are pushing the sled you probably won't notice.
3. Kmod steering bracket same as number 2 this is a big upgrade but not necessary for everyone.

If you want to keep spending money camso 280 track, belt drive, pipe, drop and roll, elka shocks, isled rear bumper, fokus graphics wrap, turbo, the list is endless.