Our 2012 Arctic Cat Wildcat already had one of the most capable suspension systems in the sport side-by-side market, but its engine performance never felt equal to its chassis. This build was designed to correct that imbalance by adding an MCX-USA turbo system, upgraded FOX Factory Series shocks, dedicated sand tires and a collection of safety, comfort and lighting upgrades.
The finished Wildcat combined significantly more power with better bottom-out resistance while retaining the low seating position, balanced handling and long-travel suspension that made the original Wildcat so much fun in rough terrain.
Building the Wildcat Arctic Cat Should Have Made
When it arrived, the original Arctic Cat Wildcat set a new standard for sport side-by-side suspension. Its rear suspension used a five-point multilink trailing-arm design with 18 inches of travel, while double-wishbone front suspension provided 17 inches of travel.
The long-travel chassis worked exceptionally well through whoops and across rough desert terrain. The unique rear geometry helped control camber and axle plunge without compromising handling or steering response.
There was still room for improvement. Hard g-outs could push the rear suspension through its travel and drive the skid plate into the ground. Adding compression damping helped resist bottoming, but too much compression compromised its excellent performance through the whoops. The Wildcat needed more progressive, position-sensitive bottom-out control.
The vehicle also had a personality unlike any other side-by-side at the time. Its low seating position and approximate 60/40 weight distribution delivered confidence in corners and made the Wildcat feel more like a small sand car than a conventional side-by-side.
Its greatest weakness was power. The 951cc V-twin had enough displacement to deliver strong performance, but the complete engine and clutch package left us wanting more. If we could bring the powerplant up to the level of the chassis, the Wildcat had the potential to become an outstanding dune machine.
Choosing the MCX-USA Turbo System
The direction of the project became clear during the second annual UTV Industry Ride in Glamis. We brought the Wildcat and had a great time running the dunes, but its lack of power remained impossible to ignore.
Greg Biffle was there with a Wildcat powered by a turbocharged Arctic Cat Z1 engine producing more than 150 horsepower. Its performance was incredible, but a complete engine swap was more extensive than we wanted for this project.
Then Trey from MCX-USA handed me the keys to an MCX-turbocharged Wildcat. A short drive around Glamis Flats was enough to demonstrate how well the turbo system complemented the stock V-twin. By the end of the 12-hour drive home, the basic plan for our Wildcat build was already taking shape.
The first stop was MCX-USA for the turbo installation. The engine was opened and fitted with low-compression pistons to reduce the risk of detonation and support boost pressures up to 13 psi.
The MCX-USA system used an air-to-air intercooler to reduce intake temperatures. Two secondary injectors mounted in the intake plenum supplied the additional fuel required under boost, and the complete setup was designed to run on pump gasoline.
Compared with a complete Z1 engine conversion, the MCX system offered a relatively straightforward way to give the original Wildcat engine the performance it had always needed.
FOX Factory Series Suspension Upgrades
With the turbo installation underway, the next priority was suspension. FOX had been working with Arctic Cat and became the shock supplier for 2013 and newer Wildcats. That relationship also led to the development of an upgraded FOX Factory Series shock package for the platform.
We installed 2.5-inch FOX Podium RC2 shocks with Kashima coating and bottom-out control at the rear. Up front, the Wildcat received 2.0-inch FOX Podium RC2 shocks with Kashima coating.
The bottom-out-control system addressed one of our primary complaints with the original suspension. It allowed the shocks to retain compliance across smaller bumps and whoops while increasing resistance near the end of the stroke during hard g-outs and larger impacts.
Both the front and rear shocks also provided adjustable high- and low-speed compression damping along with rebound adjustment. The Kashima-coated shock bodies reduced friction and contributed to smoother operation and improved durability.
The result was the suspension setup the Wildcat needed from the beginning: plush and controlled through rough terrain, but with much better resistance to blowing through the travel on abrupt impacts.
Beard Seats and Harnesses
With the major performance upgrades handled, we turned our attention to occupant comfort and security. A set of color-matched Beard Torque suspension seats replaced the factory seats.
The Beard seats mounted to the stock seat bases and offered much better lateral containment. Paired with Beard harnesses, they held the occupants securely in place and made it easier to remain comfortable and in control when driving aggressively through rough terrain.
Vision X Lighting for Night Dune Runs
Night rides are a major part of the dune experience, and the stock headlights could not provide enough visibility to match the additional speed of the turbocharged Wildcat.
We installed a pair of 4.5-inch Vision X Light Cannons on the A-pillars and a 40-inch Vision X Xmitter LED light bar across the roof. Each 25-watt Light Cannon used a single LED and was rated to deliver usable light at distances approaching 1,000 feet. Interchangeable polycarbonate covers allowed the beam pattern to be changed between spot, Euro and flood configurations.
A Vision X Tantrum LED strobe kit added accent lighting underneath the vehicle, while a pair of Sick Stick LED whips improved visibility in the dunes. Lighted rocker switches from UTV Inc. controlled the lighting systems from the dashboard.
Sand Tires and HiPer Beadlock Wheels
Putting the turbocharged engine’s power into the sand required the right tire and wheel package. We worked with Dave Kuskie at Fullerton Sand Sports to select a setup appropriate for the Wildcat’s power, weight and suspension.
The dune package consisted of 28-inch Sand Tires Unlimited Blaster tires mounted on 14-inch HiPer Technology Sidewinder single-beadlock wheels. At the time, the 14-inch Sidewinder was a new addition to HiPer’s lineup.
The carbon-fiber-composite wheels provided the brake clearance required by the Wildcat while offering an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Combined with the STU tires, the setup gave the Wildcat an aggressive dune stance and worked extremely well in the sand.
GMZ Tire and Wheel Package for Dirt
Although the Wildcat spent most of its time in the dunes, we also wanted it to remain capable of fast trail, short-course and desert driving.
For hard-packed terrain, we selected 28x10R14 GMZ Cutthroat tires mounted on 14×7 GMZ LiteLoc beadlock wheels. The Cutthroat’s tight tread pattern, sturdy construction and rounded profile made it well suited to aggressive all-terrain use. The LiteLoc wheels added beadlock security without creating an excessively heavy package.
Benchmark Cage, Pro Armor Doors and FOX Graphics
Benchmark Performance supplied the replacement roll cage. We liked its clean profile and the way the rear tubes extended farther behind the occupants than the stock structure. The factory doors were also replaced by a set of aluminum Pro Armor doors.
Factory UTV UHMW skid plates and A-arm guards added protection underneath the vehicle, while Arctic Cat rock sliders helped protect the sides. Additional equipment included Axia Alloys mirrors and a fire extinguisher, a UTV Inc. steering wheel with a quick-release hub, and upgraded components from Wildcat Willy’s.
To finish the build, FOX and ProLine Wraps created a complete FOX-themed graphics package. Its simple black-and-white design complemented the gold Kashima-coated shocks and gave the Wildcat a clean, purposeful appearance.
Testing the Turbo Wildcat
Once completed, the Wildcat was tested in a wide range of conditions. We ran it at DuneFest 2013 in Oregon, drove it at Sand Mountain in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, took it onto the short-course track at Prairie City SVRA and returned to Glamis.
The vehicle was also displayed in the FOX booth at the 2013 Sand Sports Super Show and 2013 SEMA Show.
Final Impression
This project transformed the 2012 Arctic Cat Wildcat into the machine we believed it could be. The MCX-USA turbo system supplied the power missing from the original package, while the upgraded FOX shocks improved bottom-out control without sacrificing the chassis’ excellent performance through whoops and rough terrain.
The HiPer and STU dune package put the additional power to work in the sand, and the GMZ setup allowed us to quickly convert the Wildcat for trail, desert and short-course driving. Beard seats, improved occupant protection and the extensive Vision X lighting package made it safer and more comfortable during long days and nighttime dune runs.
Most importantly, the completed Wildcat retained the low seating position, handling balance and long-travel suspension character that made us fans of the platform in the first place. It finally had the power to match its chassis and delivered the sand-car-like experience we had wanted from the original Wildcat.
2012 Arctic Cat Wildcat Build Specifications
- Base vehicle: 2012 Arctic Cat Wildcat
- Turbo system: MCX-USA
- Front shocks: FOX 2.0-inch Podium RC2 with Kashima coating and bottom-out control
- Rear shocks: FOX 2.5-inch Podium RC2 with Kashima coating and bottom-out control
- Seats and harnesses: Beard Torque suspension seats and Beard harnesses
- Sand tires: 28-inch Sand Tires Unlimited Blasters
- Sand wheels: 14-inch HiPer Sidewinder single-beadlock wheels
- Dirt tires: 28x10R14 GMZ Cutthroat tires
- Dirt wheels: 14×7 GMZ LiteLoc beadlock wheels
- Forward lighting: Vision X 4.5-inch Light Cannons and 40-inch Xmitter LED light bar
- Accent lighting: Vision X Tantrum LED strobe kit
- LED whips: Sick Stick
- Doors: Pro Armor aluminum doors
- Roll cage: Benchmark Performance
- Rock sliders: Arctic Cat
- Skid plates and A-arm guards: Factory UTV UHMW protection
- Radiator grille and brake rotors: Wildcat Willy’s
- Wheel stud kit: Fullerton Sand Sports
- Steering wheel, quick-release hub and switches: UTV Inc.
- Mirrors and fire extinguisher: Axia Alloys
- Graphics: FOX-themed full wrap by ProLine Wraps
More details: Follow the complete 2012 Arctic Cat Wildcat build project.
