Modding The MS200T

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Mastermind

Mastermind

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I'm doing a 200T and a 201T is next. What are your thoughts on modding these saws? Are there good gains to be had on the 200T? Who here has ported the 201T?

I'm nearly ready to unveil the 200T..........cut squish and the works......just wondering what you guys think. :)
 
I think yer fishing for someone to say, "there isn't much to be gained by porting a 200T"

I think Brad only found 20% but i don;t think he did any machine work. Could be wrong on that just going from memory.

I have two jugs that I have marked out to port but haven't gotten around to.

Can you tell us your timing numbers Randy? And what did you do with the transfers?
 
Mastermind said:
I'm doing a 200T and a 201T is next. What are your thoughts on modding these saws? Are there good gains to be had on the 200T? Who here has ported the 201T?

I'm nearly ready to unveil the 200T..........cut squish and the works......just wondering what you guys think. :)
Click to expand...
I dont know Randy but Im sure if there is power to be made, you will find it.
 
Zombiechopper said:
I think yer fishing for someone to say, "there isn't much to be gained by porting a 200T"

I think Brad only found 20% but i don;t think he did any machine work. Could be wrong on that just going from memory.

I have two jugs that I have marked out to port but haven't gotten around to.

Can you tell us your timing numbers Randy? And what did you do with the transfers?
Click to expand...

Fishing? Me?????? Now Jeff. :D

Well the transfers are tough to rework....even with the RT angle tools that I have. The bore is so small and the angle of the the uppers makes it very tricky to raise them. Tricky but not impossible. :)

The 200T has some pretty good numbers in them from the factory......for high revolutions. I raised the compression a good bit and put the exhaust back to 100* (factory is 99*) The transfers I raised to give me 25* blowdown. Too high on the transfers would be a mistake on an engine this small I fear. The intake is at 80* and both the exhaust and intake ports have been widened.

I'm taking today off so it will be tomorrow before I get the saw all buttoned back up and in some wood.
 
there's no point in hot-rodding a 200T other than for bragging rights and making cookie-cutter vids with silly overlength bars , they're screaming revvy and volatile as they are, making a 200T anymore explosive and revvy just makes it a pita to use, specially for long periods you soon get tired of that sort of thing on a tophandle saw, pruning trees and stuff a tophandle saw is right in your face, 200T's don't need engine tweaks, stihl got that engine sussed just right
 
Something I have thought about when modding limbing saws and bucket use saws is the constant starting of them. To much compression could make one harder to start and become aggrevating while in a tree or in a bucket. That said, I'm curious how it turns out.

I just widenend the ports and did a MM and am very impressed with mine. Yours should be really strong.
 
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pgg said:
there's no point in hot-rodding a 200T other than for bragging rights and making cookie-cutter vids with silly overlength bars , they're screaming revvy and volatile as they are, making a 200T anymore explosive and revvy just makes it a pita to use, specially for long periods you soon get tired of that sort of thing on a tophandle saw, pruning trees and stuff a tophandle saw is right in your face, 200T's don't need engine tweaks, stihl got that engine sussed just right
Click to expand...

The owner is thinking that he may be able to keep using the 200T longer before switching to a larger saw if it runs a little stronger....

ptjeep said:
Something I have thought about when modding limbing saws and bucket use saws is the constant starting of them. To much compression could make one harder to start and become aggrevating while in a tree or in a bucket. That said, I'm curious how it turns out.

I just widenend the ports and did a MM and am very impressed with mine. Yours should be really strong.
Click to expand...

Well Preston I've noticed more compression makes a saw start easier.......if pulling the rope ain't too hard. A 40mm bore should be a breeze even with 200psi.
 
Really intrigued to see how it all works out for ya Randy. Ive heard nothing but good things really about the 200t and a bit of whining about the 201t. Funny to see 200s got for more than msrp as everybody wants a NOS one. I have been toying around with the idea of getting a 201ce rear handle saw for us to use as a small limber. Think you could cut all day with a saw less than 10 lbs, and it should be pretty nimble for getting around in fencerows etc.
 
pgg said:
there's no point in hot-rodding a 200T other than for bragging rights and making cookie-cutter vids with silly overlength bars , they're screaming revvy and volatile as they are, making a 200T anymore explosive and revvy just makes it a pita to use, specially for long periods you soon get tired of that sort of thing on a tophandle saw, pruning trees and stuff a tophandle saw is right in your face, 200T's don't need engine tweaks, stihl got that engine sussed just right
Click to expand...

There is something to be said for a saw that will run every time you pull the starter and one with the power and cutting speed to fly through the cut in certain situations. At times in a tree the cut has to be made without hinging the limb over. I don't think they would be still developing more aggressive low-profile 3/8" pitch chain but the end user requires it.
 
pgg said:
there's no point in hot-rodding a 200T other than for bragging rights and making cookie-cutter vids with silly overlength bars , they're screaming revvy and volatile as they are, making a 200T anymore explosive and revvy just makes it a pita to use, specially for long periods you soon get tired of that sort of thing on a tophandle saw, pruning trees and stuff a tophandle saw is right in your face, 200T's don't need engine tweaks, stihl got that engine sussed just right
Click to expand...

More revs it certainly does not need, but porting and raising compression has always given better throttle response in every other saw I've ran so it stands to reason it would do the same in the little motor.

To be fair though, most users don't run a top handle for a whole entire workday, every work day like you do. I have never had a problem with more power in a saw. That said, I have not really felt the need to port any of my 200's. They feel like ported saws from the factory. There is always room for improvement.....

Randy, something I have always wanted to try is working on the insides of the muffler. Take one apart and look in there and you will see you can port the inside of it to give more direct flow to the outlet (not the real outlet, the spark screen cartridge hole). It's on my list of things to try if I ever have some time
 
Randy...

After your through messin' round with dem new fangled Stihlz with those short bars - heck, I have more d/links on the top of the bar, than they do all 'round! Ya wana play 'round with an '80's Homelite in the 80's cc range?!?!



(Somewhat kidding, but, mostly serious (have a 540 that needed some TLC) - been sittin' for a day or so.... )
 

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