I recently sold our LT80 to get a quad with more suspension, reverse, and a bigger size for my daughter who has the growth charts pegged. The LT80 was well-tuned but stock besides older series chain / sprockets and Boyeson Reeds. It ran awesome! Two nights ago I picked up a 2005 Predator 90. It looks mint and runs well so I know it will be a good birthday surprise. Here's the problem:

With a tune up, jumper removed from the CDI, and all indications that it is running well it falls short of the LT80 performance that my daughter is used to. I see that people replace the CDI but can't find reviews for some of the models available. With a replacement Sportsman or Scrambler CDI swap costing as much as aftermarket what should I do?

I haven't seen reviews on Big Gun, Alba (Procom), Rick's Motorsports, or any other CDI besides Hetrick's. I'd like to keep plug and play useability. Has anyone tried an aftermarket? Is the $85 to $110 CDI worth it or should I be spending my money elsewhere? I see that the carb is smaller than the Eton Viper 90 carb for some reason. Is this a choking point or a non-issue after some jetting changes?

If a $100 CDI and a $90 carb will get the engine running to it's full capabilities I'll do it. If there is a better place to spend the money please let me know. It doesn't have to do 45 MPH or ever see a dirt track. Just accelerate well and be on par with the quad it replaced.

I do plan on performing a disc brake swap next year since it puts me over the current "birthday budget" that the War Department (wife) is holding me to.Thanks guys and gals!

 

Maybe ask "old polaris tech" in the polaris section.
Is this the 2 stroke model?

 

Not really up on any mods on the little 50 and 90 Polaris atvs. I just tried to keep em running.......stock!
Should be some people on the forum that can direct you to any mods that can increase performance. It's an Eton engine and I'm sure others have some ideas for you. OPT

 

Thanks guys. I'll eventually post in the Polaris section. I haven't read anything that conclusively says "the CDI is worth it" or "don't bother". I learned a lot about the LT80 from reading up on Jack's posts. I never had to ask questions as all of the info was there. It's a lot different as far as the Predator 90 is concerned. I'll probably end up calling one of the mini-quad hop up vendors. I have five or so written down. I'm surprised that companies have CDI's but it's near impossible to find out if they rock or stink.

 

I had a stock eton here to tune up. It had a plugged up screen in the pipe. Once I removed the screen, it rocked! All stock.
I don't see a CDI as the answer anyways.
Carb and pipe.
After that, porting.

 

The 2 strokes are snappy, but if you have reverse then I believe they are 4 stroke. Likely a major difference in power.
Ken

 

That's why I asked. The 4 strokes are dogs.

 

No, it's definitely a two stroke. I think the '05 and '06 were the only two years with reverse. After that the look of the quad stayed the same but it became a four stroke known as the Outlaw. From what I've read, the Eton Viper 90 got reverse in '05 also and became the Viper 90R.

Looks like I'll be checking out the pipe to look for that baffle/screen to remove. I like the fact that it is quiet but have to admit that I miss the 2 stroke sound that I grew up with. I'll do that since it's free then call vendors. My friend has a Chinese 110 that his daughters abuse yet it runs great. I'd hate to think that my little girl will be eating dust all day when we visit.