4-strokes

Liquifire 4/6 · Post by **Liquifire 4/6** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:29 pm

Lousy weather conditions today have left me housebound instead of going to the races as I had planned. This led to too much thinking time and my thoughts drifted to all the new 4 stroke sleds on the market now. Most of these mills have their roots in motorcycle and/or automobile applications so they should last a very long time. I'm thinking with proper maintenance, 40000 miles should be realistic. However, I doubt any of the chassis will hang together that long as it seems that some of todays sleds seem quite lightly constructed compared to those of a few years ago. So I'm expecting lots of worn out, miled out 4 stroke sleds to be available on the cheap within a couple seasons which will still have engines with loads of life left in them. This has probably crossed other people's mind as well. Anybody thought of what could be done with them as far as utilizing the engines in other applications? I'm sure some of you have already made plans for a 4 stroke Liquifire (something I've been thinkin of). What else?

S_Kyle · Post by **S_Kyle** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:10 pm

My question is, would the old sleds be able to take the increased power and torque of a modern motor?

I have been planning to build my own Snowmobile for a few years, the plan is still in it drawing stage. I was think a raider style and a modern 4 stroke motor would probably be the way to go but there are a few things that need to be better thought out before I start. Like suspension and body style. <_<

Scott,

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:47 pm

S Kyle, Are you familiar with Roamer sleds?

Both twin track/rear engine with 4-stoke mills.

...........

As the Liquifire Chassis is built well I would not think that 100 HP would hurt it.

Does the Intercepter chassis differ from a L-Fire? If I recall they were understated for HP at 100.

S_Kyle · Post by **S_Kyle** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:07 pm

JDT

I haven't come across a Roamer or a Manta in my travels, in fact I have only seen 3 or 4 raiders but I thought it would be something to do one winter. Are these Roamers modern or are the vintage?

Granted that the Liquifire are 30 years old but I have seen then start to come apart at the seams, and I wonder i the extra power now would be the death blow to some of these old sleds. I could very well be wrong and there is only one way to know for sure.

Liquifire 4/6 · Post by **Liquifire 4/6** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 5:24 am

Scott, the Mantas were produced in the early eighties ( I was not aware they used any four strokes). They were a sharp looking sled with IFS. The Trail Roamer was built around 2000 (I believe it used a Kohler 4-stroke). It was very similar in design to the earlier Manta. Both makes were founded by Bob Bracy, the same guy who made the Raiders. I think he has since passed away.

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:14 pm

There is a Manta on ebay at this very minute... and a nice one to boot.

The Roamer did indeed have a Kohler engine. With a heated seat and loads of other cool stuff.

ChickenRat · Post by **ChickenRat** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:16 pm

I have read several articles on the longevity of the four-stroke motors outlasting the chassis lifespan. Some of the manufacturers talked about tweaking the life out of the four-strokers to get as much HP out of the motors and yes, decreasing the lifespan of the motor but to more closely match the lifespan of the motor to the chassis. We'll see what the future years bring now that Bombardier just entered the high-performance four-stroke war for 2009.

Robb

Liquifire 4/6 · Post by **Liquifire 4/6** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:44 pm

That Manta on ebay is awesome...Too bad it's way up in Alaska. I'd seroiusly consider bidding if it was closer. It sure looks way more modern than my Raiders.

buck43 · Post by **buck43** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 11:13 pm

Ive seen the modern manta they were cool the guy I talked to in upstate NY had stereo and electric reverse in his but he said dont ride it alone you need buddies if and when you get it stuck.

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:16 am

The Radier/Manta/Roamer offer a side stance and a low center of gravity so they are hard to roll.
But they have a rather narrow tracks and are prone to digging themselves a resting spot in powder.

The Skidoo Elite runs 15" wide tracks so I imagine they float better.
And they do have a four stroke LC engine that is rated at 150hp I believe.
This is the second generation Elite not the vintage ones.
These 70's models used a 2 stroke fancooled.