Husqvarna 550XP - Breaking in questions

[SawTroll]

IMHO, I don't think there's much to be gained by adding an additional port, or by gutting the baffle. Lifting the factory deflector and opening up the existing opening is all you need. Anything more will only serve to make it louder.

I have no opinion on that - I just dug up the different solutions I could find. :msp_wink:

 

[rullywowr]

Great thread.

My 550 arrived to day as well.
Should I leave it 'stock' and use it a couple of days?, or should I do a muff mod? Decisions, decisions...

Welcome to the club. You will love its power yet smooth handling as it creates mountains of wood shavingss.

That is totally my dilemma too. It runs better and better with each tank. A mod will obviously void the warranty but its only a 6mos warranty I hear anyway here (USA). Decisions, decisions...It is certainly one bad mutha:chainsawguy:

 

[Joe Kidd]

Great thread.

My 550 arrived to day as well.
Should I leave it 'stock' and use it a couple of days?, or should I do a muff mod? Decisions, decisions...

For starters leave stock WITH a M/M. Now that's just for starters, OK? More fun to follow in chapter two!

 

[Tzed250]

While porting truly helps the 550XP, I think most folks would be fine with the mild muffler mod. 20% gain from a little exhaust work is good, and the running characteristics of the saw are top notch in the first place.

 

[SawTroll]

While porting truly helps the 550XP, I think most folks would be fine with the mild muffler mod. 20% gain from a little exhaust work is good, and the running characteristics of the saw are top notch in the first place.

Yep, and I think Randy made that extra outlet on the muffler instead of opening the original, and not in addition to.

 

[SawTroll]

Btw, I think Randy also more or less proved that the NE346xp still is the King regarding ported 50cc saws, but it may just be a matter of time before someone finds a way to make the 550 even better - there seem to be a way to go though, so maybe not? :msp_confused:

 

[Tzed250]

A person must consider that port work on a 50 class saw costs another 50% again what the saw cost. So when you look at the muffler mod vs. porting cost/HP the muffler mod comes out way ahead. An accessible little hotrod via reasonable cost.

 

[blsnelling]

Btw, I think Randy also more or less proved that the NE346xp still is the King regarding ported 50cc saws, but it may just be a matter of time before someone finds a way to make the 550 even better - there seem to be a way to go though, so maybe not? :msp_confused:

Long live the 346XP!!!

 

[SawTroll]

A person must consider that port work on a 50 class saw costs another 50% again what the saw cost. So when you look at the muffler mod vs. porting cost/HP the muffler mod comes out way ahead. An accessible little hotrod via reasonable cost.

Obviously that's with the extremely low US saw prices - it will be a bit different on other markets.....