Taking A Close Look At A Meteor Top End KIt For The 372XP

Mastermind · Oct 23, 2012

I've made it pretty clear that I'm not a fan of aftermarket top end kit so when I was contacted about doing a review on one I had my doubts to say the least. I really like Meteor Pistons so the fact that this kit was a Meteor brand caused me to take a look.

The kit for the 372XP comes with a 371 single ring piston so we know someone is listening
to us "chainsaw gearheads". :laugh:

The transfer inlet walls aren't as thin as an OEM cylinder but that's not a deal breaker.....and I'm looking hard to find one.

The exhaust outlet isn't as large or as slick as factory. Much of the issue here is casting flash that will clean up very easily.

The squish measures .035 without a base gasket, port timing measured ATDC......

EX 103°
TR 125°
IN 74°

greg409 · Oct 23, 2012

Looks like the only machined part was the bore & the cyl bolt holes.

Not being critical,(cuz you have no intention of leaving it alone), just my observation.

luck,greg

fastLeo151 · Oct 23, 2012

Hi Randy!!!! :blob2:

Mastermind · Oct 23, 2012

I didn't get any decent pictures of the bore, but it's really nice with no "ring of death" at the top. It makes 150psi after being run in only a half of a tank. Here's a video of the saw after installing to kit with no mods at all.....we didn't even knock the flash out of the exhaust port. I was impressed with the way it pulled.

[video=youtube;rks2UddYoAI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rks2UddYoAI&feature=youtu.be[/video]

SkippyKtm · Oct 23, 2012

I notice the Meteor cylinder has "Italy" cast into the cylinder. I assuming that means its cast and plated in Italy now, is that correct? Or is it still cast in China and plated in Italy...?

Mastermind · Oct 23, 2012

greg409 said:
Looks like the only machined part was the bore & the cyl bolt holes.

Not being critical,(cuz you have no intention of leaving it alone), just my observation.

luck,greg

The only really rough part is the exhaust outlet. The transfers are pretty dang good......they match the case better than factory.

My thoughts are this........I could feel good about selling these kits after setting the squish and finessing the ports. Not really a woods port but let's call it a "Blueprinted Meteor Kit".

I won't sign off on any other kits mainly because of the piston and rings. These kits come with a great piston and Caber rings.....Meteor has even re-designed their cir-clips to a Stihl like style.

fastLeo151 said:
Hi Randy!!!!

Hi Andrew!!!!

Mastermind · Oct 23, 2012

SkippyKtm said:
I notice the Meteor cylinder has "Italy" cast into the cylinder. I assuming that means its cast and plated in Italy now, is that correct? Or is it still cast in China and plated in Italy...?

I would bet the farm that they are still being cast in China......the ports in this example are beveled and shaped well though. Meteor is one company that listens to the feedback they get from their users and I feel that this kit shows that.

I'll have this saw with me at the KY GTG.

Jacob J. · Oct 23, 2012

Mastermind said:
I would bet the farm that they are still being cast in China......the ports in this example are beveled and shaped well though. Meteor is one company that listens to the feedback they get from their users and I feel that this kit shows that.

I'll have this saw with me at the KY GTG.

I talked to a guy from Centralia, Wa that claimed to be a Meteor rep. He "told" me that their engine parts are manufactured in Taiwan, with a Meteor engineer (Italian dude) on hand mic'ing every third or fourth cylinder to make sure they make the grade.

I don't know how much of the story is hogwash but he did have some interesting looking "prototype" pistons in Meteor boxes.

komatsuvarna · Oct 23, 2012

Looks like the lowers are matched to the gasket better than OEM. Also looks like the transfer runners are a fuzz bigger in the meteor. Pretty good numbers for stock jug IMO. Wouldn't take near as much grinding to get the uppers back where they need to be after some machine work either eh?

I like the sounds of them. I bet after ole' mastermind does his mooberazation magic they'd be a real runner!

Mastermind · Oct 23, 2012

komatsuvarna said:
Looks like the lowers are matched to the gasket better than OEM. Also looks like the transfer runners are a fuzz bigger in the meteor. Pretty good numbers for stock jug IMO. Wouldn't take near as much grinding to get the uppers back where they need to be after some machine work either eh?

I like the sounds of them. I bet after ole' mastermind does his mooberazation magic they'd be a real runner!

I like the way you talk.

I'll be offering these for sale ported with cut squish and just blueprinted......the pricing is still being worked out for these and various other kits.

fastLeo151 · Oct 23, 2012

Mastermind said:
I like the way you talk.

I'll be offering these for sale ported with cut squish and just blueprinted......the pricing is still being worked out for these and various other kits.

I think thats a great idea! What model jugs are you going to carry?

blsnelling · Oct 23, 2012

The first Meteor cylinders that I saw looked aweful. I couldn't believe Meteor was going to market such a product. Sounds like maybe they've learned from their mistakes.

Jacob J. · Oct 23, 2012

fastLeo151 said:
I think thats a great idea! What model jugs are you going to carry?

Knowing Randy, double D's.

watsonr · Oct 23, 2012

Jacob J. said:
Knowing Randy, double D's.

With enhancements!!

Mastermind · Oct 23, 2012

fastLeo151 said:
I think thats a great idea! What model jugs are you going to carry?

These are the ones I was told were available now. If the quality isn't on par with this example I'm out though. We shall see.

Husky 362/371/372/181/281/288/293
Stihl 034/036/360/046/460/650/066/660

Jacob J. said:
Knowing Randy, double D's.

fastLeo151 · Oct 23, 2012

watsonr said:
With enhancements!!

Come on guys lets focus here, I wouldn't want to derail Randys thread......talking about pie or double d whatever's

rbmopar · Oct 23, 2012

Mastermind said:
These are the ones I was told were available now. If the quality isn't on par with this example I'm out though. We shall see.

Husky 362/371/372/181/281/288/293
Stihl 034/036/360/046/460/650/066/660

What might a Husky 293 be?

Mastermind · Oct 23, 2012

rbmopar said:
What might a Husky 293 be?

LOL.....good question. I just copied and pasted the info I was sent. :laugh:

wigglesworth · Oct 23, 2012

Mastermind said:

That WB looks NICE!!!!

Eccentric · Oct 23, 2012

Hi Randy!

Now we need them to produce inexpensive, quality Husky 1100/2100/2101 cylinders. Then there's the vintage North American saw models. I know.....dream on...

I like pie too.

Taking A Close Look At A Meteor Top End KIt For The 372XP

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