Wondering what the OEM specificaiton is for length and width of the stock 0627-020 Arctic Cat Belt.

I was considering trying the Ultimax XS802 (48 7/32" x 1 3/8") or the Dayco HPX5017 (47 3/4" x 1 13/32") this year on my 03 ZR900. The tolerances just between those two is significant so I was trying to determine what the OEM tolerances are.

Seems center to center would need to be adjusted along with shims in the clutches for proper adjustments?

According to my 03 service manual the length of the 0627-020 is 47 3/4 inches plus or minus 3/16 and 1 13/32 inch wide.
It is considered a hard compound belt. The 0627-021 is the same dimension but with a softer compound.
I have been using Ultimax belts on my A/C's for the last 10 years with great satisfaction.You just have to shim your driven clutch accordingly.
A friend who works for Gates gave me some free belts last year and i found they were terrible,the compound was way too hard and and i had terrible slippage
as soon as a little bit of snow got on my clutches.Makes for a couple free spare belts...

I tried many belts on my '02 8 and the '03 900. I just could not beat the cat belt. the prices were the same but the ultimax's of the day were warrantied so I tired adjusting up a few.... the cat belts were esier to find and more consistent from one to the next, although that is definately not always the case. Don't the dayco guys claim to make ALL the belts now?

I was leaning towards the Ultimax, but the length of the belt is 15/32" longer (close to 1/2") and 1/32" less in width. That seems extreme to me and I feel it would change the clutching characteristics? Or is it just as simple as adjusting belt deflection per their recommendation and I should be good to go??

From Carlise:
The Ultimax XS belt was designed for high horsepower sleds like your
ZR900. Lab and field tests prove that it transfers more power to the
track and that the belt resists heat. Heat is one of the enemies of the
drive belt. The XS is made out of a unique compound that likes the heat.
The part number you need is the XS802.

Since the belt is so aggressive you might see slight rpm loss at top end.
The belt is very flexible. When you install it, you'll see a little more
deflection than you're used to. Install it so that the cord of the belt
is just at the top of the secondary. There are some installation tips on
the belt sleeve and the belt has a one year warranty.

From Dayco:
Based on application testing the Dayco belt HPX5017 that is designed for
the ZR900 application did much better as compare to OEM belt less slippage
and more HP. If you have After-Market clutches you may want to adjust
your clutch to match the belt dimensions.

The HPX5017 is a replacement for the 0627-020 and due to less slippage as
compare to OEM belt you should have more RPM and more HP.

i use an 020 belt just due to availability. i have had the ultimax 3 recommended by bikeman though due to the higher horsepower. i havent had a problem with an 020 yet but i'm pretty picky on clutch set up and i replace my belts when they wear even a little.

i'd like to see some radar numbers or track dyno from an independent tester though to see if they really do transfer more power

Per Carlise: The XS802 and the OEM 0627-020 belt have identical dimensions on the inside of the belt (I.C. and bottom width). The XS belt is much thicker however. The extra thickness gets transferred to the outside of the belt resulting in the longer belt O.C. It should result in a drop in fit.

excellent point there, way to go letting others in on that