I have beeen drooling over the 550xp for a while now, have not run one but have looked it over several times at the local saw shop. Trying to justify one, and not sure I can so looking for some input. I currently have an older 346xp and just don't use it all that much. I like it and its handy for certain things but I usually just run the 372xp all the time. The 346 is fast and nimble but the torque just isnt quite what I need to make me run it. That got me thinking maybe I should just send the 346 out and have it modded, it doesnt have a lot of hours on it and should last a long time yet. Would save me some dough and maybe justify the BIG saw I really want lol. Hello CAD, thanks in part to this site. Anyway, how does a modded 346 stack up against a 550 and how much better is it than stock? Had my 372 done last year and it really made a difference, is the 346 as responsive to mods?
550xp vs 346xp vs modded 346xp
- Thread starter hotjava66
- Start date
Help Support Arborist Forum:
SawTroll
Information Collector
Is the 346xp a 45cc or a 50cc one?
Good question, and I dont know. Its 2004/2005 vintage.
Sounds like a 45cc one if you notice the missing torque and going by date.
I have ran 3 really good woods ported 45cc 346's and owned 2 that run with and out cut many others 50cc woods ported 346. Pick your porter wisely.
:msp_thumbup:
I have ran 3 really good woods ported 45cc 346's and owned 2 that run with and out cut many others 50cc woods ported 346. Pick your porter wisely.
:msp_thumbup:
2007 was the change over with NE and OE
SierraWoodsman
ArboristSite Guru
Last weekend took the 346-OE-xp and the 550xp out firewood cutting this last weekend. Both saws have now been ported by Mastermind last year. I Noticed that the 550 outperformed the 346OE in the torque dept. Tried tweaking the tune on the 346 several times (Fatter/leaner), but could not quite match the 550 no matter the tune. Don't get get me wrong here, it's still a bad-assed angry little saw & I'm happy with it, but no doubt in my mind the 550 has a bit more torque. Checked the compression on the 346 when I got home and all is well. She's blowing 190-PSI
SierraWoodsman
ArboristSite Guru
Both saw's are noticeably improved over their stock performance.
sunfish
Fish Head
Interesting this popped up. I'm fixin to have my 'other' 346xp-OE ported.
SawTroll
Information Collector
That is a 45cc one, unless someone changed the top end.
My memory tells me 2007 week 19 or so. The exact serial number for the change is in some IPLs.
woodchipper95
ArboristSite Guru
Send that 346xp to Dozerdan, you will 
him.
him.
sunfish
Fish Head
Is what I plan to do.Send that 346xp to Dozerdan, you will
Funny this old thread popped up, I actually ended up buying a 550xp and sending it to Mastermind last fall. Very happy with it, incredible saw for its size. Very rarely break out the big saw anymore.
Nathon
ArboristSite Lurker
Does Dan do any work on the 550xps?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
woodchipper95
ArboristSite Guru
He has, but he told me at the Pa GTG he likes the 346xp the best.
sunfish
Fish Head
Nothing like a hot rod 45-50cc XP!
sunfish
Fish Head
I would like to have a ported 346xp by all the major builders... Maybe one day.
I ported my old one & it's an evil lil' beast. Been wanting to see what a Dozerized 346 is all about.
I ported my old one & it's an evil lil' beast. Been wanting to see what a Dozerized 346 is all about.
woodchipper95
ArboristSite Guru
The one he had at the GTG was a GTG saw, not sure if its his daily runner or not.
rullywowr
ArboristSite Operative
My 550xp still makes me smile everytime I use it. For the big stuff I break out the 372.
