Don't know about "de-tuned" but my 262XP was a great running saw. Some will say if you had the Husqvarna top end with the compression release they weren't as fast as the other variety. Didn't want to make me go out and bury it in the back yard, but I didn't use it much once I picked up the Echo 600P. My 600P is an early model and doesn't share the same top end and limited coil as the CS-590's. Since I own all three, the CS-590, CS-600P and CS-620PW (X series) I can tell anyone reading this that there really isn't a lot of power difference between all of them. I've ran them (test cuts in the same log) with the same bar and chain back to back and the differences between all of them are very minor and hardly noticed. The problem with my testing is that I should have moved up to a 24" or even 27" bar and a much bigger log. I made cut after cut after cut the day of the testing and really only a slight difference between each one.
Many open port 55 Ranchers came with 20" bars and 3/8" chain set-ups. They are far better suited to .325" and 18" bars....IMHO. They don't have the power to effectively pull 3/8" and certainly not a 20" bar. Still excellent saws and plenty of them still around getting it done. I've tried to find 55 EPA saws with the CP P/C's a few times and most are seized or have some material smeared over the rings and down on compression. I got really lucky with my first CP 55 and was able to clean it up. The second had an oil leak and loose muffler but perfect P/C. I bought several others and they were JUNK so quit chasing them on Ebay and settled for two good ones. At the same time I had two 51's, and two really nice 55 Ranchers in the inventory and one by one sold them off.
I never once did any timed cutting between the 55 CP and open port saws but it doesn't take a rocket scientist and test lab to know the CP version is stronger in the cut. They just have a peaky power curve and love high RPM's. The open port versions have a wider RPM range and smoother power curve but not as fast as the CP's. I also have one of the cleanest 50 Specials in existence. My brother-in-law purchased it new to cut down three small trees in his back yard then put it away. Sadly he passed away and I inherited the saw a few years ago. His wife had carried it to a dealer and they told her it sat too long with fuel in it and was "junk". To my surprise there was nothing wrong with it and it roared to life after a dozen or so pulls and ran flawlessly. I put it back in storage and haven't looked at it in years. Maybe if I ever wear out one of these 55's I'll start using it, but it doesn't appear that's likely to happen anytime soon.........
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