You’ve seen the smile on your kid’s face as they zip around on their Can-Am DS 70. It’s a fantastic little machine, but as their skills grow, you might notice they’re starting to hit the limits of its stock performance. It’s a common and exciting moment in any young rider’s journey.
I promise to walk you through exactly how to safely and effectively get more performance out of that ATV. This isn’t about turning a youth quad into a fire-breathing race machine; it’s about making smart, incremental adjustments that match the machine’s capabilities to your child’s growing confidence and skill level.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover the essential maintenance that unlocks hidden power, dive into simple bolt-on upgrades, and demystify gearing changes. We’ll explore every step of how to make a can am ds 70 faster the right way, always putting safety first.
Before You Mod: The Non-Negotiable Safety & Maintenance Check
Before you even think about buying a single performance part, let’s get one thing straight: a well-maintained ATV is a faster, safer, and more reliable ATV. Often, what feels like a lack of power is just a machine in need of some basic TLC. This is the most crucial part of any how to make a can am ds 70 faster care guide.
H3: First Things First: Brakes & Tires
Adding “go” is useless without reliable “stop.” More speed demands better stopping power. Before you do anything else, perform a thorough inspection.
- Brake Check: Inspect the brake pads for wear. Check the brake fluid level and condition. Squeeze the brake levers—they should feel firm, not spongy. If they feel soft, you may need to bleed the brakes.
- Tire Check: Look at the tire pressure. An underinflated tire creates drag and sloppy handling, robbing you of speed. An overinflated tire reduces traction. Check the owner’s manual for the correct PSI and inspect the tread for excessive wear or damage.
H3: The “Free” Horsepower: A Basic Tune-Up
You can often find a surprising amount of performance just by bringing the engine back to its factory-fresh state. This is one of the best how to make a can am ds 70 faster tips because it costs very little.
Start by cleaning the air filter. A clogged filter chokes the engine, starving it of the air it needs to make power. If it’s a reusable foam filter, wash it with a proper filter cleaner, let it dry completely, and then re-oil it. If it’s a paper filter that’s dirty, just replace it.
Next, check the spark plug. A fouled or worn plug creates a weak spark, leading to incomplete combustion and lost power. Pull it out, check the color (it should be a light tan), and check the gap. If it looks dark, oily, or worn, a new spark plug is a cheap and effective fix.
H3: Don’t Forget the Drivetrain
The power from the engine has to get to the wheels, and a poorly maintained chain and sprocket setup can waste a lot of it. The chain should have the correct tension—not too tight, not too loose (check the manual for specs).
Clean off all the old gunk and grime with a chain cleaner and a brush, then apply a fresh coat of high-quality chain lube. A clean, properly lubricated chain moves with less resistance, freeing up power that was being lost to friction.
Uncorking the Engine: Simple Bolt-On Performance Mods
Once your DS 70 is in top mechanical shape, you can start looking at bolt-on parts. These are the most common ways to boost power. The core principle is simple: an engine is an air pump. The more efficiently you can get air in and out, the more power it will make. The benefits of how to make a can am ds 70 faster with these mods are noticeable power gains and a better-sounding machine.
H3: Step 1: Upgrading the Air Filter for Better Breathing
The stock airbox is designed to be quiet and effective in all conditions, but it’s often restrictive. Swapping the stock paper or dense foam filter for a high-flow aftermarket filter from a brand like K&N or Twin Air is an easy first step.
A performance filter uses less restrictive materials to allow more air to enter the engine. More air, when mixed with the right amount of fuel, means a bigger, more powerful combustion event. This simple change can improve throttle response and add a little bit of power across the RPM range.
H3: Step 2: Installing a Performance Exhaust System
What goes in must come out. A performance exhaust works on the same principle as the air filter, but for the other end of the cycle. It reduces backpressure, allowing exhaust gases to exit the engine more freely.
You can choose a “slip-on” muffler, which just replaces the final section of the exhaust, or a full system that replaces everything from the engine head back. A full system will provide the biggest power gains but also costs more. Brands like FMF or Yoshimura often make great options for youth quads. This upgrade will not only add power but also give the DS 70 a throatier, more aggressive sound.
H3: Step 3: Re-Jetting the Carburetor – The Critical Link
This is the most important part of this section. Do not skip it.
When you force more air through the engine with a new filter and exhaust, you must add more fuel to maintain the correct air-to-fuel ratio. Failing to do so will cause the engine to run “lean,” which means there’s too much air and not enough fuel. A lean condition creates excessive heat and can quickly lead to catastrophic engine damage.
You fix this by re-jetting the carburetor. Inside the carb, there are small brass fittings called jets with tiny holes that control fuel flow. You’ll need to install slightly larger jets to match the increased airflow. You can buy jet kits that come with a variety of sizes so you can tune it perfectly. If you’re not comfortable doing this, this is a great time to consult a professional mechanic. Getting this right is one of the most important how to make a can am ds 70 faster best practices.
A Complete Guide on How to Make a Can Am DS 70 Faster with Gearing
Changing your sprockets is one of the most effective ways to alter the ATV’s performance characteristics. Think of it like the gears on a bicycle. A small gear in the front and a big gear in the back makes it easy to pedal from a stop (acceleration), while a big gear in the front and a small gear in the back lets you achieve a higher top speed.
H3: Gearing for Top Speed (Going Down in the Rear)
If your child rides in wide-open spaces and wants more top-end speed, you can install a smaller sprocket on the rear axle. Dropping 1 or 2 teeth from the stock rear sprocket will trade some of that instant, snappy acceleration for a higher maximum speed. The engine won’t rev out as quickly in its top gear.
H3: Gearing for Acceleration (Going Up in the Rear)
If the riding area is full of tight trails, hills, or requires a lot of starting and stopping, you’ll want more acceleration. To achieve this, install a larger sprocket on the rear. Going up 1 or 2 teeth will make the DS 70 feel much quicker off the line and help it climb hills more easily, but you will sacrifice some of your overall top speed.
When you change sprocket sizes, you may also need to get a longer or shorter chain, so be prepared for that. This is a fantastic way to tailor the machine’s power delivery to the specific terrain you ride most often.
Removing Factory Restrictions (Use Extreme Caution)
Youth ATVs are built with multiple safety restrictions from the factory. As your rider’s skills progress, you can gradually ease these restrictions. This is often the easiest and cheapest way to make the DS 70 faster, but it must be done responsibly.
H3: The Throttle Limiter Screw
This is your number one tool. The DS 70 has a simple screw on the throttle housing that physically prevents the throttle lever from being pushed all the way. From the factory, this severely limits the machine’s speed.
As your child demonstrates mastery of braking, turning, and general control, you can back this screw out a little bit at a time. A quarter-turn can make a noticeable difference. This allows you to perfectly match the ATV’s top speed to your rider’s current ability level. This is the most responsible way to “unlock” more speed.
H3: Rev Limiter / Aftermarket CDI
The stock CDI (Capacitor Discharge Ignition) box, which controls the ignition system, has a built-in rev limiter to prevent the engine from spinning too fast. An aftermarket CDI can raise or eliminate this rev limit, allowing the engine to rev higher and produce more power at the top end.
This is a more advanced modification. While it can unlock more speed, you run the risk of over-revving the engine and causing damage if you’re not careful. This should only be considered after other modifications have been made and if you’re comfortable with the potential risks.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Performance Considerations
Being a gearhead and being responsible aren’t mutually exclusive. Thinking about sustainable how to make a can am ds 70 faster practices is part of being a good member of the off-road community.
H3: Proper Jetting is Eco-Friendly
We already discussed how proper jetting is crucial for engine health, but it’s also an eco-friendly how to make a can am ds 70 faster practice. An engine with the correct air-fuel ratio burns fuel more completely and efficiently. This means less unburnt fuel and fewer emissions are released into the atmosphere.
H3: Maintain Your Spark Arrestor
Most aftermarket exhausts, and all stock exhausts, come with a U.S. Forest Service-approved spark arrestor. This small screen prevents hot sparks from exiting the exhaust and potentially starting a wildfire. Always ensure your spark arrestor is in place and clean, especially when riding on public lands. It’s a non-negotiable part of responsible riding.
Frequently Asked Questions About Making a Can Am DS 70 Faster
How fast does a stock Can-Am DS 70 go?
A stock Can-Am DS 70 is electronically limited and has a throttle limiter. With these restrictions in place, its top speed is typically around 15 mph. This is designed for the safety of new and young riders.
Is it safe to make a youth ATV faster?
Yes, it can be safe if done responsibly and incrementally. The key is to always match the machine’s performance to the rider’s skill level. Never make a machine faster than the rider can safely handle, and always ensure they are wearing all appropriate safety gear, including a helmet, goggles, gloves, and boots.
What is the very first and cheapest mod I should do for more speed?
The first and completely free “mod” is to gradually adjust the throttle limiter screw as your rider’s skills improve. After that, the best bang-for-your-buck upgrade is a thorough tune-up, starting with a clean, high-flow air filter.
Do I really need to re-jet the carburetor after an exhaust or air filter mod?
Yes, absolutely. This is not an optional step. We see this all the time and it’s one of the most common problems with how to make a can am ds 70 faster projects. Skipping the re-jetting process will cause a lean fuel condition, which can severely damage or destroy your engine from overheating.
Unlocking the potential of your child’s Can-Am DS 70 can be a rewarding project for both of you. By starting with a foundation of solid maintenance and moving through these upgrades methodically, you can safely give them a machine that grows with them.
Remember to take it one step at a time, test after every change, and always prioritize your rider’s safety above all else. Now get in the garage, wrench safely, and get ready for even bigger smiles on the trail.
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