Big Bore 900 for the Arctic Cat Catalyst!

I stopped by Black Diamond Xtreme in Cannon Falls, MN to check out their Big Bore kit the new Arctic Cat Catalyst. This is a 900cc kit and is currently available (pending final testing, late 2023). BDX has a surprisingly long history of offering these kits and has worked with Arctic Cat engines for quite a long time.
Visiting with Brady about this kit was a very cool experience, and I think it's definitely worth sharing.
This is not a sponsored video, I'm simply making sure Catalyst owners know what's out there. I'll continue making videos like this with other vendors.

[@TimberTramp]

We need to see it run!

[@ponycarfan]

I’m with you on that!

[@char_herm]

Nice!!

[@jlo13800]

Now lets make an a 2 stroke OP 1800 with 2 of these engines and lay it down in there. Like this cummins OP 2 stroke:mart.cummins.com/imagelibrary/data/assetfiles/0058689.pdf

[@jlo13800]

Fairbanks Morse and Achates power should get in on this!

[@TimberTramp]

Give me the smaller muffler in Ti & I want the noise!

[@ACatKrom]

Drag it to Dynotech Research and have it run on the dyno. Lets see if it actually runs, in the past they struggled to make more hp than a stock 800

[@ponycarfan]

That’s a good idea, if they haven’t done it already. I know Brady worked with someone, but don’t know where they took it. Last I heard, it was out west for testing on the snow.

[@Eighty8Fitter]

I saw that looking on their website, looks cool but I think modding these things so far effects the reliability of the machine. Just my thoughts

[@ponycarfan]

That would be my first reaction, as well. However, they've been using this kit on the CTech 800's for quite a few years. With the beefed up crank case on the Catalysts, it was probably not a stretch to make a version of the kit for that engine. We'll see, but I was impressed with the work they've put into this. There were several customer sleds in the shop getting this done, so we should have some good customer reviews this season.

[@richsharp1524]

@@ponycarfanthe thing is. No one expects perfect reliability from a big bore. People just need to understand that anytime you modify anything you don’t have the same reliability. Doesn’t make it bad just means if your not smart and want to lake run the thing pass after pass after pass you may run into some issues. But most guys that spend this kind of money understand that they will trail ride with great reliability and not drag race for a mile at a time on the lakes. Even stock machines run into issues. And these are the chances you take. But grabbing that extra power from a big bore is addictive and most are smart enough to know not to string them out to far. Looks great nice job and thanks for the video 😊

[@ponycarfan]

@@richsharp1524 Great points!

[@kevinbergstresser1263]

I had a 2014 ProLite M8000 with the 900 that dynoed@195hp/8000 rpm, sold it with 4500 miles on it and it had 160 psi compression . New owner is still going strong 2 seasons later, it has never been apart. Pre-mix Klotz@40/1 since new.

[@kevinbergstresser1263]

PS, two belts in it's lifetime, 1st one became the spare.....

[@TimberTramp]

I always preferred boysun reeds!

[@ponycarfan]

I don’t have any experience with them, but have received quite a few comments like yours - I’m convinced!

[@jeffbarnes5194]

Don't really understand how you can think that it's a good deal..wait a year and buy the 858. Save you 4 grand.

[@ponycarfan]

Good point. Next year’s 858 will come with a factory warranty, too. On the other hand, if I was trying to decide between a turbo on the original 600 or BDX’s big bore, it would be a tough decision for higher elevations. At lower elevations, the 900 in a Catalyst ZR is going to give the T-Cat (and everyone else, for that matter) a run for its money! That’s why I think there’s a market for the kit and how I think it justifies the price.

[@jeffbarnes5194]

@ponycarfan yup, to each their own. My experience with mods are clutch kits burn up more $200 belts and motor mods create more chances of downtime on already short riding seasons. So, not for me. Thanks for the videos!

[@deanomatic5129]

why didnt they start it?

[@ponycarfan]

Good question. When I was there, they were fitting the exhaust and it wasn't connected. For the video, Brady put everything together for me, but it wasn't in a running state. Since I was there, they've already been riding this sled out west. Had I been there a few days earlier or later, I could've gotten video of it running.

[@ponycarfan]

Brady said he’ll be posting videos on the BDX Facebook page of this sled running out west in the next few days.

[@xXkillerkidXxXx]

Well my concern is your "trail legal muffler" should advertise that in the states only as its not trail legal in canada.

[@ponycarfan]

Exhaust requirements vary quite a bit, and I agree that aftermarket companies like BDX could do more to disclose what’s legal and where.

[@xXkillerkidXxXx]

@@ponycarfan their 100% illegal in canada unless its OEM from the manufacturer of the sled, especially quebec

[@jeremymullen5378]

🔥👊🔥🔨⚙️🏍⚠️

[@ponycarfan]

😂

[@PatrickWalsh570]

Make a video in an area without a echo

[@ponycarfan]

Good feedback, thank you. I’ve been working on better audio, and you’ll see improvements in future videos.

[@PaddleRacing]

I wouldn’t do it!!!!!! I’ve had bad experiences with SSI & BDX!!! Cylinders they port and bore the nickel comes apart. I’ve bought thousands with them. They need to stop throwing stuff in a box to make a money. Inspect your work.

[@dougiedosrepair2735]

NEVER heard it run.🤷‍♂️

[@ponycarfan]

That would've been a good addition to the video, definitely. Brady said it drove into the shop under its own power, but we didn't get to fire it up. Keep an eye on BDX's official Facebook page, because Brady said he'll be posting more clips.

[@frostcold81]

Echoechoecho....🙃

[@ponycarfan]

😂. I bought a new wireless mic for interviews like this. Should be much better.

[@drifter5682]

And then the single beem skid folds up like a cheap suit or bends

[@ponycarfan]

People are making brace kits for the Alpha, and that’s apparently needed. However, they also make dual-rail brace kits, and I’ve seen examples of people bending those, as well. I’m not sure if one bends easier than the other. There are people trying to copy the Alpha and get around Cat’s patents. When the patents expire, it will be interesting to see what happens. Either everyone abandons the idea, or everyone copies it, I think.

[@drifter5682]

@@ponycarfan hardcores dial rails way stronger the brace kit doesnt work the shock is mounted on one side of the rail takes all the force and the rear idlers mount is glued on saw that come off desyroy the track last year Its a terrible design period seen sp many failures

[@ponycarfan]

@@drifter5682 Yikes! Haven’t heard that before, not good.

[@drifter5682]

@@ponycarfan syxes has a vid of what happens if you want to see the carnage Matt is hige Cat fan and mechanic he did all the upgrades to his skid didnt help

[@drifter5682]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4jXdZaKop2Iebssi=MRE3BtnbbBvpNHZw

[@RI-td3gv]

Look at that hideous wiring harness, come on Cat, time to step a few more things up

[@Brobro449]

You don’t like that 😂

[@warrenschultz2735]

Boyesen has always performed better..