I have two Firecats and I'm unsure if I should be unplugging these wires. These seem to run fine with them the way that they are but I'm wondering if I could get a little more out of them if I did something with the wires. Anyone got any thoughts?

I have a thought on the Ethanol in gas. All of my toys, 2 stroke or 4 stroke get the same treatment. Marine Stabil -- ethanol blend. It is blue Ethanol, and I use it with my truck, too. Been doing this for 2 years now and I have never had fuels problems. I use a ounce every 10 gallons. CAPS auto always has it in stock. Ethanol actually lowers the octane rating a bit, and this is supposed to help with it. A small price to pay for no fuel problems, about 10 bucks a quart.

I use the same mixture too. I have yet to have any issues either in 2 years

Thanks guys.

Just a correction, Ethanol Increases the Octane. Gas comes to the terminals via ship/barge from refineries. gas designated for 10% ethanol area comes in at 82-85 octane for regular, 85-87 octane for super. Once at the terminal it is computer injected with 10% ethanol at the rack loader to go into tank trailers. This boosts the gas to a Minimum standard of 87 for regular and 93 for super which is closely monitered and tested because the state and feds check samples at random from both the terminals and gas stations and those minimums must be there. The octanes are generally higher than posted which is ok. The fines for nonconforming are huge. Thats why if you add dry gas, be careful, you will again increase the octane and both are dryers so the lubrication of pistons in 2 strokes is considerably lessoned, thats why some blow up, you have created a home made race fuel. The reason your sled would run like crap, would be moisture in your fuel tank which ethanol will seperate from the gas and blend with the ethanol which doesnt burn well and consequently lower the octane level. thats why adding dry gas is needed because it is isopropyl alcohol which blends with water and will burn off and prevents the seperation because isopropyl alcohol blends to water faster and more readibly than ethanol. This from 32 years of hauling gas and continuous conversations with the terminal managers and engineers

hey jay, so should one use 87 octane all the time for a sled, or run 93 octane all the time. My last sled, I used 87 from day one, but my dealer said my new crossfire requires 93 octane. What do you think?

i have the 03 firecat and i have a Ethanol SWITCH.. i just keep it on Ethanol

my friend runs that Blue stuff in his 800..never any problems

*****THIS MONTHS SAM MAGAZINE HAS AN ENLIGHTENING ARTICLE ON ETHANOL GAS

Run the octane what the book says My 1000 runs on 87 putting higher octane in if the sled dosn't run on it your throwing your money.

I don'y know if this is true or not. I was told that at extremely cold temps. that the ethenol would seperate from the gasoline. So when you would be riding your engine would get a pure ethenol burst, and it is like running straight alcohol and this is why so many sleds were blowing up. Using the treatments prevents this. Does anyone know if any of this is true?

The cold doesnt cause the seperation. Its the moisture content in the tank from air temp changes, always best during riding season to keep tank full in between rides. fill the tank when you get back instead of the morning before you go.

Run what the manufacturer suggests, just dont run hotter plugs, if you add dry gas use 1/3 the recommended mix and try to use a lesser octane gas at that time if possible

Grasshead and TTC- the book says to run 87 octane only. And a direct quote from my owners manual states "Use 87 octane unleaded fuel only. Use of higher octane will not increase engine performance and may cause engine damage".
I guess the dealer was wrong. I put 93 in last night, I am sure one tank wont hurt, especially since the 1st tank has oil mixed with the gas for break in.

Run what the book calls for. Higher octane requires higher compression to burn properly. I get a kick out of the guys who put 93+ in a sled thinking it'll give them more power. I used to see the same thing when I ran HP street cars.

Saw the same thing racing MX for years.When the 4 strokes came back in 98,everyone was feeding them race gas.
Its not octane the 4 s needs,but an oxygen boost.The AMA was testing the fuel at the races,as teams had figured ot how to oxygenate the fuel.

Well said. They test at the grass drags for the oxyenated fuel also some of the races they will have spec fuel such a VP and you will have to buy it at the race and they will go around and do random testing.

DJ I always ran 87 in my 800 never had any problems, plus that is what the book calls for. I'm sure your dealer was confused with the new motor that requires the higher octane.

my firecat has the ETHANOL switch,,

YOu are 100% correct. I called the dealer on it. The 800HO for 2010 requires 91 octane or above, whereas the 800R that I have uses 87 octane. I filled it with 93 the 1st tank, but swtched back today. It is fine. By the way, my new sled is scary fast. It rips.