Port a Husky 350 or buy a 550xp?

[VTWoodchuck]

Hello gang.
I acquired a new 350 a few years ago for almost nothing. I’ve barely used it and mostly for light sapling clearing and such. My go to saws are a 440 and a MMWS 261(carb).
I was thinking of porting the 350 but could get a new 550xp for just a bit more.
What do you all think?
My thoughts are the 350 is pretty old and a homeowner saw even though it’s in great shape. The 550xp seems to make good Hp according to a video I saw where he put it on a Dino test. I would still use it as a back to the ported 261 and general light duty.
I’m leaning towards the 550 as it’s new and shiny. Plus my Dad’s Jred 2260 auto tune is a beast and I’m curious to try that system out.
Help me decide!

 

[ElevatorGuy]

Unless you just want a new ported 550 I wouldn’t do it since you have the mm261.

 

[J D]

Put a 346XP(NE) top end on it & open up the muffler

 

[sean donato]

A 350 is a good saw, easily upgraded with the 346xp top end. But, it's not the best candidate for porting. If you really want to port a saw, get the 550xp or a 353/346xp.

 

[oldguy]

350s are a lot of fun to play with, I have 2 that will run with a stock 346, and I'm just a hack saw souper upper.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

350 cylinder same as 353. Just they put a dished piston it it to hold it back. Put a flat top 353 piston in it. If all is ok with cylinder.

353 imo run great and stock for stock with muffler mod hard to tell them apart from NE 346. No reason to spend extra money if 350 353 cylinder is good to go.

Fix the 350 like that for hardley any cost besides piston kit. Then buy a 550 MKII too.
Be warned mkII around 12lbs PHO. Not the light weight saws they used to be.

 

[oldguy]

350 cylinder same as 353. Just they put a dished piston it it to hold it back. Put a flat top 353 piston in it. If all is ok with cylinder.

353 imo run great and stock for stock with muffler mod hard to tell them apart from NE 346. No reason to spend extra money if 350 353 cylinder is good to go.

Fix the 350 like that for hardley any cost besides piston kit. Then buy a 550 MKII too.
Be warned mkII around 12lbs PHO. Not the light weight saws they used to be.

I put a lightend popup piston in em, grind the block the cyl. sits on, widen the intake & exh., blend the lower transfers, grind out the transfer dividers, match exh. port to muffler opening, and of coarse another hole in the muffler. I said I was a hack, works fer me!