PowerPlus 108 to 112: How to Upgrade Your Indian Motorcycle

Indian's new PowerPlus 112 makes 126 hp and 133 lb-ft. My Pursuit has the 108 with 122 hp and 128 lb-ft. Here is exactly what it takes to close that gap — and why you might not need the 112 kit at all.

The Stock 108 vs 112 Gap

Let's start with the numbers. The PowerPlus 108 is Indian's liquid-cooled 108 cubic-inch V-twin, and it has been the engine in the Challenger and Pursuit since 2020. The PowerPlus 112 is the new, larger version introduced in 2025, available in the Chieftain PowerPlus and Roadmaster PowerPlus, and as a kit for existing 108 bikes.

The difference is 4 horsepower and 5 lb-ft of torque. On paper, that does not sound like much — and it is not. But there is one more detail that matters: the 112 reaches peak torque at 3,600 rpm versus the 108's 3,800 rpm. That 200 rpm difference means the 112 pulls harder, earlier. On a heavy touring bike like the Pursuit (which weighs around 390 kg / 860 lbs fully loaded), low-end torque is what you feel when rolling on the throttle in 4th gear at highway speed.

According to Lloydz Garage, who did back-to-back dyno testing on brand-new 108 and 112 bikes with less than 10 miles each, the real-world difference is "a solid 6 HP gain and 3 ft lb of torque" at the wheel. The 112 also shows more torque throughout the low and mid-range, not just at peak.

Option 1: The OEM 112 PowerPlus Kit

Indian sells a factory 112 conversion kit for existing 108 engines. Part number 2891561, priced at $1,499.99 USD. This is the most straightforward path to 112 specs — it is literally the same components Indian puts in the 112 engine at the factory.

What Is Included

The kit includes high-performance cylinders, pistons, head gaskets, and all necessary hardware to upgrade your 108 PowerPlus engine to 112 displacement. It also includes a calibration code that updates your Engine Control Module (ECM) to match the new components. The result is 126 hp and 133 lb-ft — identical to a factory 112.

Cost Breakdown

Installation requires significant engine work — cylinder removal, piston swap, head gasket replacement. This is not a driveway job unless you have a lift, proper tools, and experience with V-twin engine internals. Most owners will want a dealer or a shop like ForeverRad or Lloydz to handle it.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Factory-approved, maintains warranty, exact 112 spec output, includes ECU calibration, uses OEM parts designed for the engine.

Cons: Expensive for a 4 hp / 5 lb-ft gain. Requires professional installation. You are paying $2,000+ to match what a new 112 bike does stock — you do not exceed it.

Option 2: Stage 2 Performance Cams

Here is where it gets interesting. Indian sells Stage 2 Performance Cams for the PowerPlus engine — part number 2884573, priced at $749.99 USD. These cams deliver up to 10% more horsepower and 3% more torque than a stock PowerPlus engine.

The Math

On a stock 108 making 122 hp, a 10% gain puts you at approximately 134 hp. That is 8 hp more than the 112's 126 hp. The torque gain is smaller — about 3% brings you to roughly 132 lb-ft, just 1 lb-ft short of the 112's 133 lb-ft. But the cam profile also changes where that torque is delivered, typically improving mid-range pull.

What Is Included

The Stage 2 kit includes the camshafts and a card with a unique calibration code that upgrades your ECM software. Indian designed these cams specifically for the PowerPlus engine, so they are a bolt-on upgrade — no machining required. Installation involves removing the cam cover, swapping the cams, and applying the new ECU calibration.

Real-World Results

According to Indian Motorcycle forum members who have installed Stage 2 cams, the seat-of-pants difference is more noticeable than the dyno numbers suggest. One rider reported: "The stage 2 just doesn't like revs below 2,150 rpm. Keep it above 2,200 rpm and all is well — smooth, strong pull." The trade-off is a slightly rougher idle and low-rpm behavior, which matters for stop-and-go traffic but not for highway touring.

Forum pricing reports put installation at around $850 at US dealers (including the cam cost) up to $1,200 at some shops. Australian riders reported $1,200 AUD installed. Budget $1,200-1,800 USD for parts and labor combined, depending on your dealer's rates.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Exceeds 112 horsepower for half the cost of the 112 kit. Factory-approved with ECU calibration. Bolt-on installation. Significant mid-range improvement.

Cons: Slightly rougher low-rpm behavior. Torque gain (3%) is smaller than the 112 kit's. Requires dealer installation for most owners.

Option 3: ECU Flash (Lloydz / RVS Performance)

If you want to unlock more performance without opening the engine, a third-party ECU flash is the cheapest option. Two well-known tuners work on the PowerPlus: Lloydz Garage and RVS Performance.

What an ECU Flash Does

The stock ECU has conservative tuning for emissions compliance, fuel economy, and noise regulations. A flash rewrites the mapping to unlock speed limit removal, raised rev limits, improved throttle response, adjusted torque limits, and optimized fuel mapping. RVS Performance charges $499.99 USD for their 2023+ Indian Challenger and Pursuit ECU tuning.

Lloydz Garage dyno-tested a stock 108 against a stock 112 and found the 112 ahead by 6 hp and 3 lb-ft. Their ECU flash on a stock 108 typically adds 5-8 hp and 2-4 lb-ft of torque by optimizing the existing fuel and timing maps without any hardware changes.

Cost

Pros and Cons

Pros: Cheapest performance option. No engine disassembly. Removes speed/rev limiters. Improves throttle response noticeably. Can be combined with other upgrades.

Cons: Smallest power gain (5-8 hp). Requires removing and shipping your ECU. May affect warranty. Emissions compliance may be affected (important for inspection in some provinces/states).

What I Already Have: Stage 1

My 2024 Pursuit Dark Horse already has Stage 1 upgrades — the Indian Stage 1 exhaust and Stage 1 air cleaner. Stage 1 typically adds 5-8 hp and 3-5 lb-ft of torque over stock by improving airflow. So my 108 is probably already making around 127-130 hp and 131-133 lb-ft at the wheel.

This is important context for the upgrade math. If my 108 with Stage 1 is already at ~130 hp, I am already at 112 output. The question is not "how do I get to 126 hp" — it is "how do I get beyond 130 hp, and is it worth the money?"

Three Upgrade Paths Compared

Here is how the three options stack up, assuming you start from a stock 108 (no Stage 1):

For my Pursuit, which already has Stage 1, the numbers shift. Starting from ~130 hp:

My Plan as a Pursuit Owner

Here is my honest assessment after riding the Pursuit for 10,000+ km (6,200+ mi):

The 112 kit does not make sense for me. My Stage 1 Pursuit is already making close to 112 output. Spending $2,000+ for a 2-4 hp gain is not a good use of money, especially when the Stage 2 cams deliver more power for less.

The Stage 2 cams are the sweet spot. For $1,200-1,800 installed, I get to approximately 138-142 hp — 12-16 hp above stock 108 and well above the 112. The mid-range improvement from the cam profile change is what I would actually feel on the highway, not the peak number. The only trade-off is slightly rougher low-rpm behavior, which I can live with on a touring bike that spends most of its time above 2,500 rpm.

An ECU flash is worth doing regardless. Even if I do not add cams, a flash improves throttle response and removes the speed limiter. At $500, it is the cheapest performance upgrade per horsepower. If I do Stage 2 cams, adding a flash on top pushes the total gain to 10-15 hp over my current Stage 1 output.

What About Bigger Builds?

For riders who want maximum displacement, aftermarket big bore kits exist. The Indian forums discuss 116ci and 120ci kits from Revolution Performance and Torqued. A 120ci kit with custom tuning has been dyno'd at around 145 hp and 155 lb-ft. These kits cost $1,700-3,000 in parts and require significant engine work — this is deep enthusiast territory. For most Pursuit and Challenger owners, the Stage 2 cam path delivers more than enough performance.

Warranty Considerations

Any performance modification raises warranty questions. Here is what to know:

Indian-approved upgrades (112 Kit, Stage 2 Cams): These include factory ECU calibration codes and are designed by Indian for the PowerPlus engine. When installed by an authorized dealer, they should not void your warranty. The calibration code is tied to your VIN and logged in Indian's system.

Third-party ECU flashes (Lloydz, RVS): These rewrite the ECU mapping outside of Indian's approved parameters. If your dealer detects a non-factory tune during a warranty claim, they may deny coverage for engine-related issues. Some riders remove the flash and restore the stock tune before service visits, but this is a gray area.

My recommendation: If your bike is under warranty, stick with Indian-approved upgrades (Stage 2 cams). If your warranty has expired, an ECU flash from a reputable tuner like Lloydz or RVS is safe and effective. Always ask your dealer before installing any modification if warranty coverage is important to you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: Indian Motorcycle official PowerPlus specifications, Indian Motorcycle OEM 112 PowerPlus Kit (P/N 2891561, $1,499.99), Indian Stage 2 Performance Cams (P/N 2884573, $749.99), Lloydz Garage dyno testing (108 vs 112), RVS Performance ECU tuning ($499.99), Indian Motorcycle forum community data, Ultimate Motorcycling, Cycle World. Prices in USD. Verify with your local dealer for CAD pricing and current availability.

Information checked August 29, 2026. Confirm pricing, availability, and warranty implications with your authorized Indian dealer before performing any modification.