Another muffler mods thread

[Stumper]

It has been postulated many times on this forum that most (but not all ) of the gains on modified saws come from opening up the muffler. We have also had lots of discussion about how restrictive mufflers are on the current crop of saws (because of the EPA mostly).

Query. Is there much to be gained in opening mufflers on previous generations of chainsaws? 25 years ago some saws (like Echos)had exhausts you could throw a cat through- I 'm not really thinking about those, but what about saws like Husky 268's and 281's?

 

[tony marks]

thats something ive wondered.
its my opinion that,, thats where improvements,, really come to lite,,
in saws of today. they have kept the power up and improved performance ,inspite of the restrictions put on by govt.,,
this could be really the source,, of the benefit[and possibly beginning] of modifying saws for normal use.
u get the benefit of the best new saw making techknowledgy from the manufacturers . then u have somebody that knows how to ,start with that,, and create probably the best saws ever to exist.
i have some older saw that perform better when opened up.. [partner] but it already had restrictions.
like u say most are already so opened up that ,more could probably be done on intake and piston work than mufflers.
still u can hop anything up if u are willing to put something into it. this was shown in the old drag strips that use to be all over the south.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

My 066, new in '94, has no baffles inside. The current 066 has a box with holes that act as a baffle. These are pretty restrictive. I guess it just depends on the saw.

 

[deadtrees]

I opened up the muffler on a Sthil 038 Mag that was from Canada and probably not EPA regulated and it made no difference in the performance.

 

[Stumper]

ttt Come on saw builders give us the scoop. Is there a significant gain to muffler mods on the previous generation of saws? Is a full power tune worthwhile on some of those well used saws?

 

[HUSKYMAN]

My Jonsered 670 gained a lot from the muffler, it will almost keep up with a 046. My 920 had a crappy muffler, so I am sure it gained, but I never ran it stock so I cant be sure. These saws are in the 15-20 year old range