Cost of porting & mod's

[Natty Bumppo]

Forgive a newbies ignorance here. Until I started frequenting this site a few months ago, I'd never heard of porting a saw or making muffler modifications. Seems so simple, enlarge a couple holes and increase the power. But there must be a price. I assume after a muffler mod, the saw is noisier. What about porting? Does it affect engine life, vibration, noise level?

I figure there must be some kind of price to be paid, otherwise, why wouldn't saw manufacturers do this? Seems like it would be a good thing to claim your 11 lb, 50cc saw develops as much horsepower as your competitors heavier, 55 cc saw. Or is it an emissions thing? If saws came from the factory in the same condition as some customizers alter them, would they not meet EPA standards? Pardon my naivete, but I'm new to all this.

 

[VTWoodchuck]

opcorn:

 

[deye223]

this'll good :msp_biggrin:

 

[Evanrude]

Forgive a newbies ignorance here. Until I started frequenting this site a few months ago, I'd never heard of porting a saw or making muffler modifications. Seems so simple, enlarge a couple holes and increase the power. But there must be a price. I assume after a muffler mod, the saw is noisier. What about porting? Does it affect engine life, vibration, noise level?

Yes, the saw will be a little louder. A properly woods ported work saw should be just as reliable and smooth as a stock saw.

I figure there must be some kind of price to be paid, otherwise, why wouldn't saw manufacturers do this? Seems like it would be a good thing to claim your 11 lb, 50cc saw develops as much horsepower as your competitors heavier, 55 cc saw. Or is it an emissions thing? If saws came from the factory in the same condition as some customizers alter them, would they not meet EPA standards? Pardon my naivete, but I'm new to all this.

Emissions, both exhaust and noise limit the manufacturers ability to build the saw to its full potential. Think of diesel pickups, they're quite choked down from the factory. It basically all boils down to big brother.

 

[Evanrude]

opcorn:

this'll good :msp_biggrin:

Come on you guys, don't go poking at the hornets nest like that. You know better :hmm3grin2orange:.

 

[sunfish]

Leave now before it's too late. It's a slippery slope!

 

[deye223]

come on luke join me on the dark side

GO PORTED OR GO HOME HAHA

 

[sweetjetskier]

Are there any guys that do this..... modding as you refer to it, that can work on 50cc saws ?

 

[Tzed250]

Forgive a newbies ignorance here. Until I started frequenting this site a few months ago, I'd never heard of porting a saw or making muffler modifications. Seems so simple, enlarge a couple holes and increase the power. But there must be a price. I assume after a muffler mod, the saw is noisier. What about porting? Does it affect engine life, vibration, noise level?

I figure there must be some kind of price to be paid, otherwise, why wouldn't saw manufacturers do this? Seems like it would be a good thing to claim your 11 lb, 50cc saw develops as much horsepower as your competitors heavier, 55 cc saw. Or is it an emissions thing? If saws came from the factory in the same condition as some customizers alter them, would they not meet EPA standards? Pardon my naivete, but I'm new to all this.

The manufacturers have to work inside of a set of parameters, now largely set by emission regs. The ported saw gets to live up to the potential of the basic design. The saw may be somewhat louder, but then hearing protection should be worn no matter. The main advantage, as you mentioned, is a more efficient system. More power, same weight. There are very few downsides to a ported saw, other than the cost. Plus, ported saws are fun!!

 

[showrguy]

Are there any guys that do this..... modding as you refer to it, that can work on 50cc saws ?

there are a few that hang around here....

i dunno if any of em are any good though ??

 

[1Alpha1]

The ice here can be very, very thin.

Just cause there's guys standing on the banks, don't expect um all to throw you a rope.

 

[Guido Salvage]

Your title asked the cost, $250 will get you a port job. The results will vary based on who you choose, their skills and tools. Some would argue the origins of parts used may impact the life and performance of the saw as well. Do your research and solicit opinions before you commit your saw to someone.

 

[blsnelling]

ANY of the sponsors here will do you a great job. All of us are in the $250 ball park.

 

[Muffler Bearing]

Just get a Dremel tool, and ask for the chain saw mod attachment.
:msp_biggrin:

 

[mt.stalker]

The manufacturers market a good , powerful , pro saw . Lets forget about the parameters (emissions/noise) for a minute . Although a much higher power/weight ratio would be a good marketing scheme , IMO , the manufacturers can't feasably tweak their designs to the fullest , like the modders do . A lot of people with little or no mechanical knowledge will be running these factory saws . Bad or improper fuel mix , poor carb tuning , etc , could cook your engine , but with a modded saw , IMO , this is even more evident .
Hot Rod saws need to be maintained by owners who know wtf they're doing .

 

[Boleclimber]

Then there is the cost of power addiction gained by porting ones saw. Once learning how much power can be gained by a little tweaking you will find yourself looking at your lawnmower, motorcycle, car, truck or any other engine driven machine and wonder how much more power can I extract out.

Cams, carburetors, timing, injection systems, and drive lines will slowly dominate your thinking.