Is your young rider starting to get that look in their eye? The one that says their trusty Can-Am DS 70, while a fantastic starter quad, just isn’t keeping up with their growing confidence on the trail. You see them lagging behind the bigger bikes, and you know they’re ready for a little more pep. You’ve probably found yourself searching for how to make can am ds 70 faster, but you want to do it the right way—safely and smartly.
You’re in the right place. We get it. You want to nurture that passion for off-roading without turning their youth ATV into an uncontrollable rocket. It’s not about creating a mini-racer; it’s about matching the machine’s performance to your child’s evolving skills.
This complete how to make can am ds 70 faster guide promises to walk you through a series of practical, step-by-step modifications. We’ll start with the “free” power hidden in basic maintenance and move on to simple, effective bolt-on upgrades, all while keeping safety as our number one priority. Let’s get wrenching!
Before You Start: The Golden Rules of Modifying a Youth ATV
Before you even pick up a wrench, we need to have a serious chat. Modifying any vehicle, especially one for a young rider, comes with huge responsibility. Following these how to make can am ds 70 faster best practices is non-negotiable.
Rule #1: Rider Skill Before Raw Speed
More speed is useless, and frankly dangerous, if the rider can’t handle it. Ensure your child has mastered fundamental skills: proper braking, cornering, body positioning, and throttle control on the stock machine. Speed should only be added as a reward for proven skill and maturity.
Rule #2: Maintenance is Your First Performance Mod
A poorly maintained ATV will never perform at its peak. Before spending a dime on performance parts, make sure the basics are perfect. A clean air filter, a fresh spark plug, and a properly lubed chain can make a surprising difference. This is the foundation of our entire project.
Rule #3: Understand the “Why” Behind Each Mod
Don’t just throw parts at the problem. Understand that the engine is a system. Changing one part, like the exhaust, will affect another, like the carburetor. This guide will explain how these parts work together so you can make informed decisions and avoid common problems.
The Foundation: Unleashing Hidden Power with Proper Maintenance
Think of this as your how to make can am ds 70 faster care guide. A happy, healthy engine is a faster engine. These simple checks cost little to nothing but are absolutely essential for getting the most out of your DS 70, stock or modified.
The Air Filter: Let It Breathe
An engine needs air to make power. A clogged, dirty air filter is like forcing the engine to breathe through a straw. It suffocates performance and can even cause long-term damage.
Locate the airbox (check your owner’s manual for the exact location).
Carefully remove the foam air filter. Be mindful not to let any dirt fall into the intake.
Wash the filter thoroughly with a dedicated foam air filter cleaner and warm water. Never use gasoline or harsh solvents.
Let it dry completely. Then, apply a fresh coat of foam filter oil, working it in evenly until it’s tacky but not dripping.
Reinstall the filter, ensuring a perfect seal around the airbox.
Pro Tip: Check the air filter after every dusty ride. A clean filter is the cheapest horsepower you can find.
Spark Plug & Ignition Health
The spark plug is the heart of your ignition system. A weak or fouled plug results in an incomplete burn, robbing you of power and efficiency.
Pull the spark plug using a spark plug socket. Check the tip: it should be a light tan or grayish color. If it’s black and sooty (running rich) or white and blistered (running lean), you have a tuning issue to address. Replace it with a new NGK CR7HSA (or equivalent) for a hot, consistent spark.
Chain & Sprocket Check (Reducing Drivetrain Drag)
A tight, rusty, or misaligned chain literally steals power before it ever reaches the wheels. Make sure the chain has the correct amount of slack (usually about 1-1.5 inches of play, check your manual). Clean it with a chain cleaner and a soft brush, then lubricate it with a quality chain lube specifically for O-ring chains.
Tire Pressure Perfection
This is so simple, yet so often overlooked. Under-inflated tires create massive rolling resistance, making the engine work harder. Check the sidewall for the recommended pressure and inflate them properly before every ride. This small adjustment improves both speed and handling.
How to Make Can Am DS 70 Faster with Simple Bolt-On Upgrades
With your maintenance dialed in, it’s time for the fun stuff. These upgrades are relatively simple and provide the most noticeable gains. Remember the golden rule: one change at a time, so you can evaluate its effect.
Step 1: Upgrading the Exhaust System
The stock exhaust on the DS 70 is designed to be quiet and restrictive. An aftermarket slip-on exhaust from a reputable brand like FMF or Big Gun is one of the most effective first mods.
It replaces the stock muffler, allowing exhaust gases to escape more freely. The benefits of how to make can am ds 70 faster with this mod include a small but noticeable increase in horsepower, better throttle response, and a healthier engine sound (which can also be a safety feature, making the rider more audible to others).
Step 2: Improving Air Intake
Now that you’re letting more air out with the new exhaust, you need to let more air in. A high-flow aftermarket air filter, like one from Twin Air or K&N, allows a greater volume of clean air to enter the engine compared to the stock foam filter.
This is a simple drop-in replacement, but it leads directly to our next, most critical step.
Step 3: Carburetor Tuning – The Key to Making It All Work
IMPORTANT: Adding a high-flow intake and exhaust without adjusting the carburetor is a recipe for disaster. This is one of the most common problems with how to make can am ds 70 faster. You’ve changed the air-to-fuel ratio, and the engine will now run “lean” (too much air, not enough fuel). A lean condition can cause overheating and serious engine damage.
You need to “re-jet” the carburetor. This involves swapping out the small brass jets inside the carb bowl for slightly larger ones to allow more fuel to mix with the increased airflow.
Main Jet: Controls the fuel mixture from about 3/4 to full throttle.
Pilot Jet: Controls the mixture at idle and up to 1/4 throttle.
You can buy a jet kit that comes with a variety of sizes. You’ll likely need to go up 1-2 sizes on the main jet. If you are not 100% comfortable with disassembling a carburetor, this is a job for a professional mechanic. Getting it wrong can ruin your engine. Getting it right unlocks the full potential of your other mods.
Advanced Modifications: Gearing and Clutch Adjustments
Once you’ve mastered the basic bolt-ons, you can fine-tune the power delivery with these more advanced tweaks. These mods don’t create more horsepower, but they change how that power is delivered to the ground.
Changing Sprockets for Top Speed vs. Acceleration
The gearing of your ATV determines the trade-off between acceleration and top speed.
For Quicker Acceleration (Better for tight trails): Decrease the size of the front sprocket (countershaft) by one tooth or increase the size of the rear sprocket by a few teeth.
For Higher Top Speed (Better for open areas): Increase the size of the front sprocket by one tooth or decrease the size of the rear sprocket.
For most young riders on varied terrain, gearing for slightly better acceleration is the more practical and fun choice. Remember that changing sprocket sizes will likely require adjusting your chain length.
Clutch Tuning for Better Engagement
The DS 70 uses a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). You can tune its engagement by changing the roller weights or the main clutch spring. Lighter roller weights or a stiffer spring will make the clutch engage at a higher RPM, giving the ATV a snappier, more aggressive take-off. This can be a great mod, but it’s best left until all other engine performance mods are complete.
Safety Upgrades: Faster ATV, Better Brakes and Handling
Giving your rider more “go” without improving their “whoa” is a serious mistake. As you increase the speed potential, you must also pay attention to the systems that control it.
Checking and Upgrading Brake Pads
Inspect the stock brake pads for wear. If they’re getting thin, replace them. Consider a set of performance or “sintered” brake pads. They offer better stopping power and fade resistance, providing an extra margin of safety when your rider needs it most.
Are the Tires Right for the New Speed?
Inspect the stock tires for wear, cracks, and plugs. If they are worn, replace them with a quality set of tires that match the terrain you ride most. A new set of tires with better grip can dramatically improve both cornering and braking performance.
Suspension Check-up
While full suspension upgrades are rare for this model, ensure the stock shocks are not leaking or damaged. Proper tire pressure, as mentioned earlier, plays a huge role in how the suspension feels and performs.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Make Can Am DS 70 Faster
How much faster can I realistically make a DS 70?
With the basic intake, exhaust, and jetting mods, you can expect a noticeable improvement in acceleration and throttle response, and a potential top speed increase of 5-7 MPH. The goal is a more responsive, fun ride, not a top-speed monster.
Will these mods void my warranty?
In most cases, yes. Modifying the engine and exhaust systems will likely void any remaining factory warranty. This is a trade-off you must be willing to accept before starting.
Are there any eco-friendly or sustainable ways to improve performance?
Absolutely. The most eco-friendly how to make can am ds 70 faster approach is perfect maintenance. A properly tuned engine with a clean air filter and correct jetting burns fuel more completely and efficiently, reducing emissions and improving fuel economy. Using high-quality, durable parts that last longer is also a form of sustainable how to make can am ds 70 faster practice.
What’s the single best first mod for a DS 70?
After ensuring maintenance is perfect, a quality slip-on exhaust is the best “bang for your buck” modification. It provides a noticeable result and is relatively easy to install, setting the stage for future intake and jetting adjustments.
Your Trail to More Fun and Speed Starts Now
Empowering your young rider with a machine that grows with them is one of the most rewarding parts of being an off-road family. By following this guide, you now have a clear, safe, and effective roadmap.
Remember the core principles: master the maintenance, upgrade in logical steps (exhaust, then intake, then fuel), and always, always upgrade the safety components to match the new performance. These are the best how to make can am ds 70 faster tips you’ll ever get.
Now, grab your tools, get your rider involved in the process, and unlock the next level of trail-taming fun. Stay safe, wrench smart, and enjoy the ride!
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