Performance and Tuning

A large segment of the powersports market is performance driven. Whether you race or not a lot of people want more performance out of their SXS and Quad. We often hear people say, “Oh I’m not a racer” or, “I don’t race”. Our reply is, “Do you ride by yourself?” If the answer is no then at some point during a ride it always turns into a race back to camp or someone sets up a track and everyone is…ALL IN! It may not be the Baja 1000 or Pikes Peak or a GNCC National but even a casual weekend ride can get competitive. Everyone wants that competitive edge. Even a recreational trail rider wants an advantage. It might be to climb a hill or rock section faster or easier, or to just be out front and not EATING SOMEONE’S DUST! If you are that competitive rider or racer you know the advantages that you get from more performance and better tuning.

The following list is only a few of the services we offer and perform in our Service Shop that just happens to be next door to our Super Showroom:

• Improved Bolt-on Components
• Cam Replacement
• Exhaust Systems
• Fuel Systems
• Carb/Injector Cleaning (its ULTRASONIC!)
• Timing Advancement
• Dynojet Dyno Tuning
• This list goes on and on and doesn’t end until…
• WE BUILD HORSEPOWER!

Performance increases can be achieved in many different ways. The most common performance increase is usually bolting on better components that will increase performance. Like a better profile cam on a 4 stroke and an exhaust system. Bigger and better fuel systems might consist of a bigger carburetor or bigger throttle body or larger injectors. Adding more compression or advancing timing. There is an old saying “There’s no replacement for displacement”. The bigger the motor the more horsepower to the ground. Adding a larger stroke crankshaft will increase displacement, and the addition or a bigger bore cylinder are just a few more ways of increasing performance. This day and age it’s not uncommon for a rider to add different types of race fuel to increase performance. Adding a nitrous oxide system (NOS) is always a quick increase of horsepower.

The addition of a supercharger or a turbo system is not uncommon. But while all these performance add-ons increase horsepower there are other things that also increase horsepower. Different types of clutching systems will increase the amount of horsepower you are building or can minimize the loss of horsepower.

The horsepower world is very complex. That’s why tuning is so very critical. Most of the tuning we do here at Sandtrax is done on our Dynojet Dyno. Being the oldest ATV dyno owner in the state of Oklahoma and having over 80,000 documented pulls on our dyno makes our experience SECOND TO NONE! Not all tuning is done on the dyno. We still rely on seat of the pants tuning where we may be tuning a motor that is better done old school by riding than on a dyno if we are working on roll-on power performance that is done at a rpm range below what we normally start on the dyno.

Engine building

Starting with a stock motor and adding performance enhancing components and them modifying all components to increase performance without sacrificing durability. All the horsepower in the world won’t matter if there isn’t durability and longevity. Knowing how components work together will help to achieve the power that you’re looking for in your build. The experience comes in the selection of components, one wrong component and your build will most likely not be building full horsepower capabilities. Our goal is to work closely with you to determine your performance goals and makes sure we can achieve those goals.

Tuning

Is a lot more complex than people realize, as there are a lot of things to tune. Engine tuning first and foremost but other aspects of a vehicle need tuning also like clutching, chassis, suspension and even at times the driver/rider. Tuning a motor to run a 300-foot sand drags and then tuning the same motor to run a ½ mile dirt track oval will be different. Clutch tuning is drastically different from a wet clutch on an ATV to tuning a CVT clutch on a SXS. Chassis tuning helps hook up all that horsepower and clutch work and engine work. Tire and wheel selection are also critical in completing the tuning process. Working with the driver to help them realize what the machine is going to do in certain situations will also ensure better results.

Common issues found

The Dyno is the ultimate tool. It helps you see horsepower and torque and air/fuel ratios in real time. Repeatability in runs helps you determine if you are improving and gaining performance or going backwards. Sometimes we can catch problems before they occur. At times we will have to make changes that may result in a horsepower loss to help ensure that you don’t have a costly engine failure. We also find other problems while on the Dyno. If a rear brake is dragging it will result in a horsepower loss and will also cause a rear brake system failure. During a dyno session we can evaluate the machine by being able to walk around the machine and monitor the vehicle as a whole not just engine tuning and be able to detect other issues before they become problem and possibly a failure. A bad chain or a rear wheel bearing that is starting to fail, a bent axle, a slipping clutch component rubbing or touching causing a short or a wear or abrasion issue.

Our goal at Sandtrax is to tune your vehicle to optimum performance with reliability and durability as PRIORITY ONE! We also want to tune your vehicle in a timely manner. This is beneficial to you as a cost saving for money spent vs. a horsepower gain.