Let’s be honest. You love your Can-Am Outlander 500, but sometimes you hit the throttle and wish there was just a little more. You’re not alone. That Rotax V-twin is a dependable workhorse, but many riders eventually get that itch for a bit more snap off the line, more grunt for climbing hills, or more pulling power for tough jobs.
You’ve come to the right place. This isn’t about slapping on questionable parts and hoping for the best. We’re going to break down everything you need to know about your can am 500 outlander hp in a way that makes sense, starting with the basics and moving up to serious performance gains.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover the stock power specs, how to restore the horsepower your machine has lost over time, and the best, most reliable mods to safely unlock its true potential. We’ll give you the roadmap to more power, done the right way.
Understanding Your Stock Can-Am 500 Outlander HP
Before you can add power, you need a baseline. Knowing what you’re starting with is the first step in any performance journey. This is a crucial part of our can am 500 outlander hp guide.
What is the Factory Horsepower?
The Can-Am Outlander 500, depending on the specific year and model (like the L, DPS, or XT), is powered by a 499.6cc Rotax V-twin engine. Straight from the factory, these engines typically produce around 46 horsepower.
While that number might not sound massive compared to a sports car, it’s very respectable for an ATV of this class. The real magic of the Rotax engine isn’t just the peak horsepower, but how it delivers that power.
More Than a Number: Torque vs. Horsepower
Horsepower is great for top speed, but torque is what gets you moving. Torque is that low-end grunt that pulls you up a rocky incline or yanks a log out of the trail. The Outlander 500 is known for having a strong, usable torque curve.
When we talk about increasing your can am 500 outlander hp, we’re really talking about improving both horsepower and torque to make the machine more capable and responsive across the entire RPM range.
How Age and Wear Steal Your Power
That 46 HP figure is for a brand-new machine in perfect condition. Over time, a dirty air filter, a worn spark plug, or a stretched drive belt can easily rob your engine of 5-10% of its power. Before you spend a dime on performance parts, the first step is always bringing your ATV back to its factory-fresh glory.
The Foundation: Restoring Lost Power with Smart Maintenance
This is the most important, and often overlooked, step. You can’t build a strong house on a shaky foundation. These maintenance tips are the absolute best practices for your ATV’s health and will restore power you didn’t even know you were missing. This is your essential can am 500 outlander hp care guide.
The “Big Three” for Engine Health: Air, Fuel, Spark
An engine needs three things to make power: clean air, the right amount of fuel, and a strong spark. If any of these are compromised, your performance suffers immediately.
- Clean Air Filter: Your ATV breathes through its air filter. If it’s clogged with dust and mud, it’s like trying to run a marathon while breathing through a straw. Check your air filter before every major ride. Clean or replace it using a quality filter like a Twin Air or K&N filter.
- Clean Fuel System: Modern ethanol-blended fuels can gunk up fuel injectors and filters. Run a bottle of a quality fuel system cleaner, like Sea Foam or Lucas Fuel Treatment, through a tank of gas every few months. Don’t forget to check and replace your inline fuel filter as recommended in your service manual.
- Fresh Spark Plugs: A spark plug is a small part that does a huge job. A worn or fouled plug creates a weak spark, leading to incomplete combustion and lost power. Replace your plugs with the recommended NGK plugs at the service interval. It’s a cheap and easy job that makes a real difference.
Don’t Neglect Your Drivetrain: Clutching and Belt Health
All the engine power in the world is useless if you can’t get it to the wheels. The CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) on your Outlander is critical.
Inspect your CVT drive belt for cracks, glazing, or excessive wear. A worn belt will slip, causing poor acceleration and a loss of power. Replace it with a high-quality OEM or heavy-duty aftermarket belt from a brand like Gates G-Force.
How to Increase Can Am 500 Outlander HP: Proven Performance Mods
Once your machine is running perfectly in its stock form, it’s time to explore the fun stuff. Here’s how to can am 500 outlander hp with smart, effective upgrades. We’ll start with the easiest and most common mods and work our way up.
Stage 1: The “Breathing” Mods (Tune, Exhaust, Intake)
These three modifications work together to help your engine breathe more efficiently. More air in and more exhaust out equals more power.
- ECU Tuner: This is arguably the best bang-for-your-buck mod. A plug-in fuel and ignition controller, like an EJK Gen 3.5 or a full ECU flash from a reputable tuner, optimizes the air/fuel ratio and timing. This not only unlocks hidden power but also makes the throttle response much smoother.
- High-Flow Exhaust System: A less restrictive slip-on or full exhaust system from a brand like HMF or Big Gun allows exhaust gases to escape more easily. This can add a few horsepower and give your ATV a much better sound. Important: An exhaust almost always requires an ECU tuner to adjust the fueling and prevent the engine from running dangerously lean.
- Performance Air Intake: While cleaning your stock filter is good, a high-flow intake kit can allow even more air into the engine. This mod works best when paired with an exhaust and tuner to take full advantage of the increased airflow.
Stage 2: Clutch Kit Upgrades
This is one of the most misunderstood but most effective mods, especially if you’ve added bigger, heavier tires. A clutch kit doesn’t technically add horsepower to the engine.
Instead, a performance clutch kit from a company like Dalton or EPI recalibrates your CVT. It changes the engagement RPM and how the clutches shift, allowing your engine to stay in its “power band” more effectively. The result is dramatically better acceleration and back-shifting, making the ATV feel much more powerful.
Stage 3: For the Serious Enthusiast
If you’ve done all of the above and still want more, you’re entering more advanced territory. Upgrades like performance camshafts or big bore kits can provide significant power gains but are much more expensive and complex to install. These are generally best left to experienced mechanics or a professional shop.
Common Problems with Can Am 500 Outlander HP (And How to Fix Them)
Even the most reliable machines have their quirks. Knowing the common problems with can am 500 outlander hp can save you a lot of time and frustration on the trail.
Sudden Power Loss or Sputtering
If your Outlander suddenly feels weak or starts to sputter under load, start with the basics. It’s almost always an issue with the “Big Three”: a clogged fuel filter, a fouled spark plug, or a water-logged air filter after a deep mud hole.
Overheating on Slow Trails
The Outlander 500 can run hot, especially during slow, technical rock crawling. Ensure your radiator is clean and free of mud. Check your coolant level regularly. If the fan isn’t kicking on, check the fuse and wiring. An overheated engine will lose power as the ECU tries to protect it.
Clutch Slippage and Poor Acceleration
If you hit the gas and the engine revs up but you don’t go anywhere fast, your CVT belt is likely slipping. This is usually caused by a worn-out belt, water in the clutch housing, or an incorrect clutch setup for your large tires.
Sustainable Can Am 500 Outlander HP Best Practices
Getting more power is great, but keeping it reliable is even better. Adopting some best practices will ensure your modified machine lasts for years. This includes thinking about a more sustainable can am 500 outlander hp approach.
The Right Way to Warm Up
Never start your ATV and immediately pin the throttle. Give the engine at least 2-3 minutes of gentle idling to allow the oil to circulate properly. This simple habit dramatically reduces long-term engine wear.
Choosing Quality Fuel and Oil
Don’t cheap out on fluids. Use the recommended octane fuel and a high-quality synthetic oil designed for powersports engines, like Amsoil or Rotella T6. Clean fluids are the lifeblood of a high-performance engine.
Balancing Performance with Reliability
More power creates more heat and more stress on drivetrain components. A well-tuned engine that runs efficiently is actually a more eco-friendly can am 500 outlander hp solution than a poorly maintained one blowing unburnt fuel out the pipe. Listen to your machine, perform regular maintenance, and don’t push it beyond its limits constantly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Can Am 500 Outlander HP
How much horsepower does a stock Can-Am Outlander 500 have?
A stock Can-Am Outlander 500 typically has around 46 horsepower from its 499.6cc Rotax V-twin engine.
What is the cheapest way to get more power from my Outlander 500?
The absolute cheapest way is thorough maintenance. A clean air filter, new spark plugs, and a clean fuel system can restore lost power for very little cost. The first performance part should be a quality ECU tuner, as it provides the best power gain for the money.
Will adding a new exhaust or tuner void my warranty?
In most cases, yes. Modifying the engine, exhaust, or ECU will likely void your factory warranty on those related components. It’s always best to check with your dealer before making any significant changes if your ATV is still under warranty.
Do I need a clutch kit if I add bigger tires?
Yes, absolutely. This is one of the most important can am 500 outlander hp tips. Bigger tires are heavier and change the final drive ratio, putting immense strain on your stock clutch and belt. A clutch kit designed for your tire size is essential to regain lost performance and prevent belt failure.
Unlocking the full potential of your Can-Am Outlander 500 is a rewarding process. By starting with a solid maintenance foundation and adding smart, proven modifications, you can build a machine that’s not only more powerful but also reliable and even more fun to ride.
Remember to wrench safely, know your limits, and always wear the proper gear. Now get out there and enjoy that extra power on the trail!
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