Modded 359 or 357/361

[DooDad]

Hello all. Been lurking for quite a while doing searches and gaining as much info as possible. I need to upgrade my saw from a wildthing to a more substantial unit.(8 years old and still starting/running great with a stihl PM loop. Guess I'm one of the fortunate few based on the comments about the WT here)I really do enjoy the site and am glad there is a place where saw info can be shared freely.

My question. I have narrowed down my choices to the above saws, I am sure that any one of them will do a good job. I understand that the 359 really does not compare very well stock to the 357/361. Since I cannot leave well enough alone, I am positively certain that I will modify my saw once purchased. Thus the question, After an exhaust mod to all 3, will the 359 run with the 357/361 or will it need porting to compete. Going in, the 359 cost quite a bit less than the other 2. If it requires porting to be competitive, that price advantage disappears quickly.

Has anyone compared these 3 stock with only exhaust modifications? What were your impressions? (I know the 357/361 are very comparable with exhaust mods)

Since I'm not really brand loyal and both husky and stihl dealers nearby, I'm looking for a quality saw that takes well to performance upgrades.

Thanks for the info in advance. I'm sure the AS bug will bite hard. I'm susceptible to mechanical toys and maximizing its potential. Looking forward to getting to know y'all and enjoying this place.

Dan

 

[sawinredneck]

INCOMMING!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[GASoline71]

INCOMMING!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Sorry DooDad... You just stuck a stick in a hornets nest. Try a search for muffler mod on here. These 3 saws have been discussed at length, with or without muffler mods.

Gary

 

[DooDad]

What do you mean by that? Incoming!!!!!!!!!

This is an honest question. Im not trying to start any kind of argument. Just want experiences

 

[Urbicide]

If you are going to mod the saw, for the money saved over the 361, I would throw my 2 cents in here and say 359.

 

[SawTroll]

After an exhaust mod to all 3, will the 359 run with the 357/361 or will it need porting to compete. Going in, the 359 cost quite a bit less than the other 2. If it requires porting to be competitive, that price advantage disappears quickly.

I believe it will still be a good bit behind if all are muffler modded, but I have no way of knowing for sure, as I haven't tried.

Both the 359 and 361 are well known on this forum to gain a lot by muffler modding alone, and I believe the 357xp will also.

 

[Woodie]

What do you mean by that? Incoming!!!!!!!!!

This is an honest question. Im not trying to start any kind of argument. Just want experiences

Doo,

For some reason those three saws have been the subject of some fairly heated debate the past few weeks. This board seems to like to fight about the 60cc class moreso than any others, at least lately. Do a quick search with all three numbers in it, and you will be entertained beyond your wildest dreams.

I'm betting what he meant was to prepare for another pitched battle, and that he meant no offense at all.

When you're ready to mod, there's lots of folks here can help send you to the right place.

Good luck, and let us know what you pick.

 

[minkota1]

Welcome DooDad! 359 is a great saw, I don't have any scientific numbers or anything like that,but I modded the muffler on my etech(mostly to cool it down) mine was a pretty tame mod, about 9/16" added to the original, really added alot to the saw. The general opinion around here is that by far the largest power gain comes from the muffler mod. To be totaly honest, I went for the 359 because of the price difference,and I too had been reading threads from here. I gotta say I liked the saw so much, that I got a good deal on another and bought it
This subject has some real heated opinions on all sidesopcorn: I think there are at least two threads right now about it, seems like the same stuff is discussed every time Seems like the bottom line is if you're concerned about price, buy the 359 and mod the muffler (or go for the full mod and have approx the same money tied up as buying the 361) If money is not a problem buy any one of them. I can tell you that you won't be sorry with the 359 and a muffler mod. I love mine!!!
You can't go wrong with any of them, it's all about price.
opcorn:
Man there wern't any post when I started writing this, now look what happened

 

[sawinredneck]

What do you mean by that? Incoming!!!!!!!!!

This is an honest question. Im not trying to start any kind of argument. Just want experiences

Nothing towards you, but settle in for about fifteen bages of Husky vs. Stihlopcorn: opcorn:

 

[Urbicide]

INCOMMING!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought for a moment that Saw Troll was shooting at ya!

 

[Rydaddy]

359

359

Get it Modded.

Thread over....

:rockn:

 

[computeruser]

It depends on what you mean by modded.

1. If you're just going with a muffler mod, I'd limit my choices to the 357xp and the MS361. Of those two I'd take the MS361 if for no other reason than the fact that it has an inboard clutch.

2. If you're going to get a full woods port job done, then I'd probalby take the 359 in order to benefit from its lower up-front cost and then throw the savings (plus a few extra dollars) into the porting work.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

It largely is about price!!! But it is about more too!!!

Don't be sucked in by those who go off of spec sheets.

There are members here who have actual trigger time on all these saws!!!

These are the guys to listen too.....Period!!!

What I know is this:

I have 2 modded 361's, 2 modded 359's and 1 modded 357.

Although all these saws are modded I have time on them stock!!!

They are all good saws!!!

Let your own judgement carry weight here.

Go to the dealers handle the saws and run them if you can.

Find out what dealer will be best for follow up work.

More than likely there is a member that may have the saws in question and you may be able to hookup some trigger time there!

 

[Cut4fun]

359
Get it Modded.
Thread over....
346xp NWCS
5100s (DN)
359 (DN)
MS361 (WHS)
372xp (DN)
7900 (DN)

Just curious, how did the WHS361 compare to your DN359?
I have a DN357 and wanting to run a DN361 real bad for awhile.

 

[Rydaddy]

Cut4Fun

Hey Cut4Fun...

The 361 is wicked FAST. So much so that the first time I used it I was actually laughing. The 361 is broken in and the 359 is not. It was a new saw when it was modded, and so I can't make a really good comparison yet. This blasted website took a guy (me) who loved to cut and burn wood and turned me into someone who thinks he has to every "great" saw out there, and get the darn thing modified. So I haven't had the appropriate amount of time to even break-in all these awesome saws yet. I haven't even touched the 7900 to wood yet myself.:bang:

I blame ALL of you on this site for my addiction.

 

[DooDad]

What I know is this:

I have 2 modded 361's, 2 modded 359's and 1 modded 357.

Although all these saws are modded I have time on them stock!!!

They are all good saws!!!

I understand handling the different saws for "feel and balance" but my question is really more along the lines of comparison between the saws once modded. Are they comparable or does one stand head and shoulders above the others? Another way, which saw would you buy and mod if you had to spend it all over again. (performance achieved vs dollar spent)

 

[Rydaddy]

Ahhhh

Dude, (where has Cisco been anway)

359 with mod is best bang for you buck. For some reason though the 361 gets the nod here more than others. I think Stihl puts something in the water. Flip a coin if you need to.:bang:

 

[rahtreelimbs]

I understand handling the different saws for "feel and balance" but my question is really more along the lines of comparison between the saws once modded. Are they comparable or does one stand head and shoulders above the others? Another way, which saw would you buy and mod if you had to spend it all over again. (performance achieved vs dollar spent)

All over again...........the 359 without a doubt!!!

Simply because it isn't as pricey as the 361!!!

Also when modded the 361 and 359 are ridiculously strong and awfully close!!!

 

[sawinredneck]

For what it's worth, I own none of the saw BTW, I would probably buy the 357, I like the wieght, I like the feel, it balances nice with a 20" bar and has oddles of power to make. The 361 "feels" heavy to me, the 359 "feels" awkard to me, the 357 "feels" good to me. I've never run any of them, but I have found feel means a lot to me!! Handle the saws, see how they balance, forget the damn numbers, you are going to have to run it al day, if it's not comfortabel who gives a crap about .2hp?

 

[GASoline71]

who gives a crap about .2hp?

I don't...

Gary