I have a 2003 500 arctic cat atv just lost the engine and was just wondering if 2008 500 engine will fit. any information is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

I am pretty sure the engine will bolt in but I am not sure about the electronics. The 2008 has the electric choke and your 2003 has a manual one so you would need to take a good look at a 2008 wiring diagram. The 2008 also should have an electronic instrument pod and the 2003 is a mechanical one.

Most of the wiring issues you should be able to get around and you could always use the carb off the 2003, assuming its still good.

Swampy

 

Would the accessory panel be a problem. there is a difference in the accessory panel. One is analog and the other is digital.

 

I think that is where your issues will arise. I am not sure if you can simply "not connect" certain features because it will not plug into 2003 wiring harness and get it all to work. Most importantly to get the electric start to work and the engine to run.

I would think that as long as you are not replacing the same engine/tranny with the same engine/tranny that you could work around the electrical stuff. My main question is what electronic sensors are on the 2008 enigne that are not on a 2003? I do not have a 2008 wiring diagram to look at but the only thing that I would think would keep it from working right would be the choke (2003 is a manual choke 2008 is electric), magneto and possibly the throttle connections at the engine.

Only electronics that I can see that connect to my 2003 engine are the magneto, temp sensor, neutral relay. I believe the accessories on my 2003 come off the fuse panel.

Swampy

 

On average can you tell how long will it take to change the base on my 2003 500 arctic cat, cause hats what s gone on my bike.

 

I have to replace the base on my arctic cat 500. Has anyone done this before, is it a major job. I though it was my starter motor, but there was a little pin on the motor I went to start it with the pull cord and the pin broke and went down in the base. A mechanic told me that it could not be fixed and where the pin went down in the base he said I nave to replace the base. Any reply is helpful. Thanks in advance.