Our recent article on why the OEMs should think about bringing out an 800 2-stroke with a turbocharger generated more likes and views than any other story in recent history.
Obviously, there’s a lot of interest in a sled like this but we’re pretty sure it will never happen. Here’s why.
With any sled-maker, it’s pretty much about longevity. In order to tool a truly reliable, long-life, turbocharged 800 2-stroke they’d pretty much have to toss out the existing engine blueprints and start with a completely new block with a beefed up bottom end.
That would include bigger lower end bearings, stronger piston rods, different (probably lower compression) pistons and a new crank. This upsizing would likely mean new cases would need to be crafted and all the turbo plumbing would have to be specially adapted for a 2-stroke. Big bucks needed and maybe for a pretty limited market.
The fact is, turbocharging a 4-stroke just makes a lot more sense because you can get big power with existing technology and it’s already been proven how reliable these boosted 4-strokes are.
Naturally, the downside is weight. The weight penalty with a 4-stroke over a 2-stroke is still 50-plus pounds without the turbocharger. Add the pump and piping and your looking at at least 80-lbs – usually more.
We’re pretty sure a lot of buyers would love a 200-hp 800 that only weighed about 20-35 lbs. more. Don’t hold your breath, though. It looks like it’s up to the aftermarket to provide a sled like that.
