You feel it every time you thumb the throttle on your Outlander 850. That satisfying roar of the Rotax V-twin and the surge of torque that pushes you back in the seat. It’s an incredible machine right off the showroom floor, a true powerhouse for trails, mud, and work. But what if that feeling could be even better?
Deep down, the heart of your machine—that brawny 854cc engine—has more to give. Unlocking that potential isn’t just about chasing a number on a dyno sheet; it’s about crisper throttle response, more grunt for climbing steep hills, and the sheer joy of a perfectly tuned ride. You’ve got the desire for more, but you need a safe, reliable roadmap to get there.
In this complete guide from FatBoysOffroad, we’re pulling back the curtain on the can am outlander 850 horsepower. We’ll show you exactly how to get more power, what parts you need, and how to do it without grenading your engine. Let’s get wrenching.
Understanding the Stock Can-Am Outlander 850 Horsepower and Engine
Before we start adding parts, let’s establish our baseline. What are we working with straight from the factory? This is the foundation upon which all our performance gains will be built.
The Can-Am Outlander 850 is powered by the legendary Rotax 854cc V-twin engine. From the factory, this liquid-cooled beast is rated at an impressive 78 horsepower. This number is a major reason why the Outlander is a dominant force in the big-bore ATV category.
But horsepower is only half the story. The real magic of this engine is its torque delivery. It’s designed to provide massive low-end and mid-range grunt, which is exactly what you need for technical rock crawling, churning through deep mud, or towing heavy loads around the property. The factory tune is a fantastic balance of power, reliability, and emissions compliance, but it’s a compromise. Our goal is to shift that balance toward pure performance.
How to Increase Can Am Outlander 850 Horsepower: The “Big Three”
If you’re looking for the most effective way to wake up your Outlander, you need to focus on the “Big Three”: exhaust, air intake, and a fuel controller. These three components work together as a system. Upgrading just one won’t give you the results you want and can even harm your engine. This is the cornerstone of any solid can am outlander 850 horsepower guide.
Step 1: Let it Breathe with a Performance Exhaust
The stock exhaust is designed to be quiet and restrictive. A performance exhaust is the first step in uncorking your engine’s potential. It allows exhaust gases to exit more freely, reducing backpressure and letting the engine work more efficiently.
- Slip-On Exhaust: This is the most popular option. It replaces the stock muffler with a lighter, better-flowing unit. Brands like HMF, RJWC, and Yoshimura offer excellent slip-ons that provide a deeper, more aggressive sound and a noticeable power bump.
- Full System Exhaust: This replaces everything from the header pipes back. It offers the maximum possible performance gain but is also more expensive and complex to install. For most riders, a quality slip-on is more than enough.
Pro Tip: When choosing an exhaust, check if it comes with a spark arrestor. Many trails and riding parks require one for fire safety. This is one of the most important eco-friendly can am outlander 850 horsepower best practices to follow.
Step 2: Get More Air with an Upgraded Intake
Your engine is essentially a big air pump. To make more power, you need to get more air in. The stock airbox and filter are decent, but they can be improved.
A high-flow air filter from a company like K&N or Twin Air allows more air to enter the engine with less restriction. This simple swap can improve throttle response and complement your new exhaust perfectly. For serious mud and water riders, a snorkel kit is a must-have to raise the engine’s air intake and prevent catastrophic water ingestion.
Step 3: The Critical Component – A Fuel Controller
This is the most important step, and it’s non-negotiable. Do not add an exhaust and intake without a fuel controller. When you force more air through the engine, you must add more fuel to match. Failure to do so will cause the engine to run lean (too much air, not enough fuel), which leads to dangerously high engine temperatures and can result in catastrophic failure.
A fuel controller, also called a tuner, plugs into your ATV’s wiring harness and allows you to adjust the air-fuel ratio. Popular options include:
- Dynojet Power Commander V (PCV): A highly versatile tuner that allows you to load pre-made fuel maps or create custom ones.
- Dynojet Power Vision 3 (PV3): An ECU flash tuner that is powerful and easy to use, often coming with pre-loaded tunes for specific exhaust and intake combinations.
- RJWC Fuel Controller: A simpler, plug-and-play option that is often pre-programmed for specific setups.
Getting the tune right is the key to unlocking safe, reliable power. This is the ultimate answer to how to can am outlander 850 horsepower effectively.
Beyond the Basics: Clutching for Performance
Making more horsepower is great, but that power is useless if you can’t transfer it to the ground efficiently. The Outlander’s Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) uses a belt and a system of clutches to do this job. More power puts more strain on these components.
Why a Clutch Kit is Your Next Best Mod
A performance clutch kit is one of the best “seat of the pants” mods you can make. It doesn’t add horsepower, but it makes the power you have much more usable. It involves changing the springs and weights inside your primary and secondary clutches.
The benefits of can am outlander 850 horsepower from a clutch kit are huge:
- Faster Acceleration: A clutch kit helps the engine get into its powerband faster and stay there longer.
- Better Back-Shifting: When you let off the gas and get back on it, the clutch re-engages more quickly, eliminating that “lag” you can sometimes feel.
*Improved Belt Life: By ensuring a more positive engagement, a clutch kit reduces belt slippage, which is a major cause of premature belt failure.
Companies like Dalton Industries and EPI Performance make fantastic, easy-to-install kits tailored for different tire sizes and riding styles. Don’t skip this step!
Common Problems with Can Am Outlander 850 Horsepower Mods (And How to Avoid Them)
Chasing power is fun, but it’s important to be aware of the potential pitfalls. Being proactive and understanding the risks is part of responsible ownership and one of our most important can am outlander 850 horsepower tips.
Engine Running Lean or Rich
This is the number one issue, and it almost always comes back to an improper or non-existent tune. A lean condition can melt pistons, while a rich condition (too much fuel) can foul spark plugs, wash oil from cylinder walls, and waste fuel. The solution is simple: invest in a quality fuel controller and use the correct tune for your modifications.
Premature Belt and Clutch Wear
As mentioned, more power equals more stress on your CVT system. If you start blowing belts frequently after adding mods, it’s a sign that your clutch isn’t set up to handle the extra power. A clutch kit is the fix. Also, always use a high-quality replacement belt, like the OEM XPS belt or an aftermarket option from GBoost.
Overheating
A more powerful engine generates more heat. If you’re riding hard in hot weather, especially at low speeds, you might notice your temperature climbing. Keep your radiator clean from mud and debris. You can also consider upgrading to a high-performance coolant like Engine Ice for better heat transfer.
Your Can Am Outlander 850 Horsepower Care Guide for a Modified Machine
Once you’ve upgraded your machine, your maintenance routine needs to be stepped up. A modified engine requires more care to ensure a long, healthy life. Think of this as your guide to sustainable can am outlander 850 horsepower.
More Frequent Fluid Changes
Don’t stick to the factory service intervals. Change your engine oil and filter more frequently, especially if you ride hard. Use a high-quality full synthetic oil designed for powersports engines. We recommend XPS, Amsoil, or Motul.
Keep That Air Filter Clean
A high-flow air filter is great at letting air in, but it can also get dirty faster. Inspect and clean your air filter after every dusty ride. A clogged filter will rob you of power and efficiency.
Regular Drivetrain Inspections
Routinely check your CVT belt for glazing, cracks, or missing cogs. Pop the cover off and blow out any belt dust and debris with compressed air. This is also a good time to check your differential and transmission fluids to ensure they are clean and at the proper level.
Frequently Asked Questions About Can Am Outlander 850 Horsepower
How much horsepower does a stock Can-Am Outlander 850 have?
A stock Can-Am Outlander 850 comes from the factory with 78 horsepower from its Rotax 854cc V-twin engine.
What is the easiest way to get more power from my Outlander 850?
The easiest and most effective way is the “Big Three” modification combo: a slip-on exhaust, a high-flow air filter, and a quality fuel controller to properly tune the air-fuel ratio for the new parts. This combination provides the best bang for your buck.
Will adding performance parts void my Can-Am warranty?
This is a common concern. In the United States, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act states that a dealer must prove your aftermarket part caused the specific failure you’re trying to claim under warranty. However, it can sometimes complicate the claims process. It’s always best practice to discuss it with your dealer or keep your stock parts to swap back on if needed.
How much horsepower can I realistically gain from bolt-on mods?
With a full exhaust, intake, and a good tune, you can realistically expect to see a gain of 5-10 horsepower. While that number might not seem huge, the improvement in throttle response, torque, and the overall “feel” of the machine will be dramatic and immediately noticeable on the trail.
Unlocking the true potential of your Outlander 850 is a rewarding project that transforms an already great machine into an absolute beast. By focusing on a systematic approach—breathing, fueling, and clutching—you can build a powerful and reliable ATV that’s perfectly suited to your riding style.
Remember to always prioritize safety, use quality parts, and never, ever skip the tune. A well-maintained, properly modified machine will provide you with countless hours of thrilling performance on the trails.
Now get in the garage, wrench safely, and get ready to feel the difference. Happy riding from all of us at FatBoysOffroad!
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