so i just bought my first 4 wheeler. its a 97 polaris scrambler 500 4x4. bought it not running from the second owner. with very little effort, i got it running. starts up and idles great. has no power and back fires through the carb. did a little looking and i guess the cam is a problem. so yanked the valve cover off, and sure enough, the exhaust lobe is warn.
my question is, i want to put the h.o cam in.
do i just buy a replacment cam and rocker for a 01 sportsman 500?
what jets should i put in the carb? stock h.o jets?
i saw where the h.o carbs are a little bigger compared to the non h.o
would i be better off getting a hot cam? i didnt buy it to go mudding, or to make a hotrod (i have a 10 sec camaro and a corvette for that ;]) me and my buddies like riding trails, and climbing hills. however they all run modded banshee's so id like to atleast somewhat keep up.
all help is much appreciated.
heres a link to the cam i was looking at. if a hotcam is smarter, please post a link!

New Cam Shaft Camshaft with Exhaust Rocker Arm 2001 Polaris Sportsman 500 HO | eBay

 

the hotcam i was looking at


i know ill need a new rocker arm as well with any new cam

 

Stick with the cam on ebay.. Haven't heard any negative reports on them and supposedly shows it's the HO cam. Only difference between the HO cam and the non HO (3086212 cam) is the cam lobe duration. Both cams lobe height is the same.HO cam just holds the valves open longer and quicker.What really makes the HO engine different from yours is the HO cam and larger 40mm carb on 2001 models and up.Plus adding a Hot Cam or any other high performance cam without addressing better air flow,better fuel supply and a better flowing exhaust is just a waste of money. For an 18 year old model I'd keep it stock and ride it.Just my two cents.

 

The Sportsman 500 had the H.O treatment in 2001 Cam and larger 40mm carb.
The 500 Scrambler had it done 3 years earlier in 1998.
There was people on this site installing the cam and carb from a 1998 Scrambler 500 and making their own Sportsman H.Os well before Polaris though of it.

 

thanks for the replies everyone.
guess ill go with the h.o cam. what about jets? do i just get a jet for a stock ho? or will i even need to change jets?

 

i have a leaky petcock. cant find anything specific for a 97
will one for a 98 work?

 

I know a person who install a used 500H.O motor into his 425 Polaris 4x4 . He kept his 34mm carb and said the 500 H.O motor ran fine without any jetting.

 

Oem valve here.Dirt Cheap Yamaha, Polaris, Suzuki & Kawasaki OEM Parts & Accessories – Cycle Parts Warehouse Or the same part # on ebay. Supposed to fit several different models. http://www.ebay.com/itm/POLARIS-3-WAY-FUEL-SHUTOFF-VALVE-PETCOCK-SPORTSMAN-500-325-335-400-330-7052161-/171455029110?hash=item27eb841f76&vxp=mtr

 

I have a 2000 Polaris xplorer two stroke, blowing coolant from reservoir, head gasket has been changed, fan seems to operate fine, any ideas? Thanks

 

Also have a 2001 Yamaha grizzly, no spark, changed coil , stator, last owner disconnected starter switch due to ??, and installed other push button, I realize this should be repaired, but it did work.... So cdi maybe?