281xp P&c

[troutfisher]

My 281XP needs a piston, I may use the Bailey's 288 aftermarket piston & cylinder. Are the power gains worth the extra $100? Are there any other options? Thanks.

 

[SawTroll]

That is entirely up to you, but I would surely have done it!

 

[motosierra]

Husqvarna 181

If all your saw needs is a piston by all means repair it! You will have a powerful, dependable saw for a fraction of what it would cost to replace it.

 

[motosierra]

Husqvarna model 181

If your cylinder is not damaged, it may not need replacement. There are many threads here on AS explaining how to prepare your cylinder for a new piston. You can pick up a quality piston for less that $25, so you will not have much invested.

 

[romeo]

If you were racing this saw I would say keep the 81cc's. If you just want a good saw a 288 jug and piston would give you a little more umph.

Don't throw your old cyl out if you change it. There getting tough to find. You might be surprised to find out what you could sell it for on fleabay, it could probably cover the cost of your 288 kit.

 

[troutfisher]

I found a 288 cylinder, used. now for a port job and new piston! There is a very good thread on porting on Hotsaws.com, I've read enough to get the courage to try. I have access to a lathe, and I have 2 small air grinders and a dremel. Some of the port numbers are a little over my head, but I understand the .020 squish, and raising the ports the same amount I cut from the bottom of the cylinder. This stuff is fun!!

 

[troutfisher]

If you were racing this saw I would say keep the 81cc's. If you just want a good saw a 288 jug and piston would give you a little more umph.

Don't throw your old cyl out if you change it. There getting tough to find. You might be surprised to find out what you could sell it for on fleabay, it could probably cover the cost of your 288 kit.

Thanks for the reply.... you said "if you were racing, keep the 81cc", Is the 281XP cylinder better for a race saw?

 

[SawTroll]

Thanks for the reply.... you said "if you were racing, keep the 81cc", Is the 281XP cylinder better for a race saw?

I belive that has to do with the classes in racing, not with performance.

81cc (actually 80.7) is about max in one class, but 87cc isn't competetive in the next......

 

[FourMoCajuns]

I just aquired a 281xp in need of just a piston for $20. For about $24 plus gaskets I figured I could try the 281 power out. If it still needed more I could take my time and find a 288 xp p/c for a good deal.

 

[troutfisher]

I belive that has to do with the classes in racing, not with performance.

81cc (actually 80.7) is about max in one class, but 87cc isn't competetive in the next......

I've never competed, so I'm not sure about the classes here. I have a 3120XP basket case, My new 281XP project, and a suzuki bike saw that is not finished yet, I hope to get this stuff together for this summer and go racin'!

 

[romeo]

Thanks for the reply.... you said "if you were racing, keep the 81cc", Is the 281XP cylinder better for a race saw?

It is better because it gives you a 4.9 ci saw which is great for the under 5ci class. On smaller saws the classes jump around from place to place but for the bigger ones they are pretty standard.

Under 5ci
Under 6ci
Over 6ci

If you race it in the under 6ci class the 066's, the 2100's and the 690 Solo's will tear you up. If you race here, we dont have a 6ci class so you will be racing the 3120's and the 088's.

A 288 is no slouch by any means, Husqvarna just built it a little too big. Hows the bike saw coming along?

 

[troutfisher]

It is better because it gives you a 4.9 ci saw which is great for the under 5ci class. On smaller saws the classes jump around from place to place but for the bigger ones they are pretty standard.

Under 5ci
Under 6ci
Over 6ci

If you race it in the under 6ci class the 066's, the 2100's and the 690 Solo's will tear you up. If you race here, we dont have a 6ci class so you will be racing the 3120's and the 088's.

A 288 is no slouch by any means, Husqvarna just built it a little too big. Hows the bike saw coming along?

I've got the transmission cut off, gotta fix the power valve open and get the side plates cut.