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Post by Doo640ER on Apr 12, 2020 13:33:08 GMT
I've had two Citiations over the years that I've ridden the heck out of. An 1980 4500e that I bought in 1984 and had to sell when I went off to college in 1989. And in 2000 when I as able to get back into sleds, I picked up my current 1981 4500e. Bulletproof engines, and as olyman mentioned in a recent post, surprisingly quick. My guess is that many others here have also owned one of these, or at least have ridden one or had a friend back in the day that owned one. So just for fun, I thought I'd get some other's perspective of the speed of these little demons. I know that when I'm on hardpack or ice covered dirt roads at WOT, the speedometer on my 81 has reached nearly 65 mph. I know that when flying along on an old leafer, 40mph can feel like 80!, LOL. I know these speedometers aren't the most accurate and I downloaded one of the GPS apps for my phone, and my max speed on one day of playing around read 60mph.
The Citation SS is faster of course, and I've read these would reach speeds in the 75 mph area. I know there have been guys that put the SS setup into a 4500. That sounds like a fun little sleeper.
What's your experience or just fun thoughts?
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Post by bones on Apr 12, 2020 14:34:47 GMT
Doo640....here is a shot in the dark. I think likely 60 MPH - GPS is very likely a real close to reality number. But 75 MPH on a SS, my thoughts - not reality.
I know there is many variables, but assuming you have a 4500 and a SS both performing at about the same % of effeciante ………………….The 4500 engine turns at 7,000RPM, the SS engine turns at 7,500 RPM, the SS engine runs about 108% faster. 60 MPH at 108% = 64.8 MPH. The 4500 has 16 x 33 gears, the SS has 17 x 35 gears. The SS is geared up one tooth on top gear but down 2 teeth on bottom gear. Top gear is about 1/2 size of bottom gear, indicating very little difference in gear ratio. I am sure the added power of the SS would get the engine wound out a little more. My thoughts, 65 is likely fairly close for the SS top speed. I know the SS will accelerate much quicker than the 4500, extra power and different primary clutch specs.
Bones
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Post by olyman on Apr 12, 2020 23:26:50 GMT
Good thoughts Bones - I didn't know all the info on the gears. Back in the day I had an 81 that was rebuilt, and later found out - not too well. But thats beside the point. I had a good friend I rode with who had the exact same sled that wasn't rebuilt, had the original hairy track with electric start. We put many miles on together (back in the very early 90's). Now keep in mind I have had several sleds by now, but wasn't the best mechanic and didn't know to check little things like track tension. belt alignment or anything else past gas tank level. I could always get out a little quicker but he could ALWAYS walk past mine. His had no speedo, but mine had an inaccurate one that said I was always in the late 60's on hard pack. Another friend went out and bought himself a 91 indylite, which was a 340 that was also surprisingly quick. Remember that back then we were all fit and light (no one over 140 lbs). I know that sled was good for late 60's early 70's ... and dammit my friends 81 377 would stick right to him all the time! Yes it took time to wind those small engines out on a known hard pack but it surprised me how fast they would end up going. IMO I think his (not mine) would touch 70 or close to it on average in this situation. Weather was always cold back then too which also helped them run better. With respect to the SS's - I didn't ever run one. The engines have to run stronger with dual carbs. But, they had shorter tracks than the normal citation of the time. So thats another thing to figure out with Bone's info on the gearing / clutching etc. To me, then best test would have been to put an SS engine into a regular citation and see what happens. Cant be bad... That's just my experience with the old citations. Mark just grab a GPS, strap it to your arm and see what happens! Looking forward to the 2021 citation report!  |
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