Pros and cons of ported saws

[Jazzberry]

I cut a couple rounds off a 36" log with a friends woods ported 460. Not sure all he had done to it but it made my 084 look like I put the chain on backwards. It had a custom built muffler with 4 bell shaped exit holes on it. Pretty awesome.

 

[Todd67]

I have a Husky 338 XPT that was given to me about 15 years ago. It's starting to run a little rough, & doesn't put out high RPM's like it used to. All I've ever used in it is non-ethanol premium gas. It's either time to replace it or have it ported and tuned. I haven't priced either option yet.

 

[WiscWoody]

The 390XP is a beast of a saw ported and like I said in a previous post here that I figure it has a little I’ve 9hp now but I also had the guy that ported the saw, Scott Kunz aka Tree Monkey of Augusta Wisconsin- put a better breathing carburetor on the saw too. With a sharp chain and the rakers ground down a bit it’s a very fast cutting saw.

 

[Ashful]

I cut a couple rounds off a 36" log with a friends woods ported 460. Not sure all he had done to it but it made my 084 look like I put the chain on backwards. It had a custom built muffler with 4 bell shaped exit holes on it. Pretty awesome.

The stock 460 has a slightly higher (2953 fps vs. 2828 fps) chain speed than a stock 084, but let's not forget the 084 has 43% more horsepower out of the box. I'd be surprised if any port job adds 43%.

Also, the HP of the 084 would allow you to easily run an 8-pin x .404" sprocket in the same wood as that 460, which would bump chain speed up to 3232 fps, substantially faster than the 460. Some guys even run 9 x .404" on their 084's, if they're running shorter bars, which will spin that chain at a blistering 3636 fps. That will turn the head of any 460 owner, ported or not!

 

[Matt93eg]

The 390XP is a beast of a saw ported and like I said in a previous post here that I figure it has a little I’ve 9hp now but I also had the guy that ported the saw, Scott Kunz aka Tree Monkey of Augusta Wisconsin- put a better breathing carburetor on the saw too. With a sharp chain and the rakers ground down a bit it’s a very fast cutting saw.

Gonna think more about the porting over the winter. This is my firewood cutting time so I can’t turn loose of my saw until after the cold weather is gone.

 

[JRHAWK9]

Gonna think more about the porting over the winter. This is my firewood cutting time so I can’t turn loose of my saw until after the cold weather is gone.

Best I can explain is it behaves like it's very pi$$ed off at the wood.

Not all porting is the same though.

 

[FTG-05]

How do you port a saw? Is it a DIY project or strictly experienced only?

I muffler mod'd my MS-362CM. Dang thing runs like a ***** ape now.

 

[Jazzberry]

The stock 460 has a slightly higher (2953 fps vs. 2828 fps) chain speed than a stock 084, but let's not forget the 084 has 43% more horsepower out of the box. I'd be surprised if any port job adds 43%.

Also, the HP of the 084 would allow you to easily run an 8-pin x .404" sprocket in the same wood as that 460, which would bump chain speed up to 3232 fps, substantially faster than the 460. Some guys even run 9 x .404" on their 084's, if they're running shorter bars, which will spin that chain at a blistering 3636 fps. That will turn the head of any 460 owner, ported or not!

Well they are completely different creatures for sure but I can tell you that paper and seat of the pants will argue. This saw was far from stock. It was sorta like the first time you run a ms 200 with the muffler opened up only x 10.

 

[JimBear]

I cut a couple rounds off a 36" log with a friends woods ported 460. Not sure all he had done to it but it made my 084 look like I put the chain on backwards. It had a custom built muffler with 4 bell shaped exit holes on it. Pretty awesome.

I just got my ported Stihl 440 back (now a hybrid since it’s got a 460 top end in it). I have been able to cut some 18”-20” Cherry & Mulberry & a couple 24” Hedge trees. I am running a 24” bar & it definitely put a smile on my face. . Hopefully the snow will melt off & it will freeze up here & I can get to a couple of 30” - 36” Honey Locusts. Here’s the initial test cuts Carl made after porting it in a 24” oak log, Carl did some more adjustments to idle & carb settings. It’s had 3 tanks thru it now.

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[woodhog73]

I cut a couple rounds off a 36" log with a friends woods ported 460. Not sure all he had done to it but it made my 084 look like I put the chain on backwards. It had a custom built muffler with 4 bell shaped exit holes on it. Pretty awesome.

Just curious what length bars you were running and back to back ? I’ve gotta believe when it comes to running very long bars the 084 would prevail over the modified 460. It’s just giving up too much displacement in my opinion.

My heavily modded Jonsered 2252 ( Husky 545 / 550) with a 16 inch bar and let’s just say a 14 inch log is pretty much a match for my 70cc Jonsered 2172 in the same size wood. The chain speed is very fast. Also the ported 50cc is pretty close to my old Stihl 056 as well in a small log. That little 50cc ported saw is an absolute screamer like it’s from another world. Like one of those fancy light swords from Star Wars movies what’s it called ? Lightsaber?

BUT if I were to put a 20 inch bar on my ported 50cc and cut say bigger wood I’m pretty sure my Jonsered 2172 and 056 Stihl would be far faster. It’s a case of no replacement for displacement. My 50cc would never be able to pull a 24 inch or larger bar with any kind of authority no matter how strong it runs. Putting a 24 inch on my 056 as old as it is well it just rips through wood. But I have big saws for long bars. Putting anything on a 50cc larger than 18 inches (ported or not) defeats the purpose of a light small saw. If it’s your only saw I suppose it can pull longer bar when needed but not with any kind of speed.

That said a nicely ported 460 sure would be a nice saw to run in the woods. I’d take one.

 

[Ashful]

Also the ported 50cc is pretty close to my old Stihl 056 as well in a small log.

I assume you’re not talking about the 056 AV Magnum II, at 94cc. Those things are screamers, I’ve used one, and I don’t think there’s been a “big” saw ever made that touches that one on speed. I evaluated one against my 064, and it was awesome, but I went the the newer 064 for parts availability reasons.

 

[woodhog73]

I assume you’re not talking about the 056 AV Magnum II, at 94cc. Those things are screamers, I’ve used one, and I don’t think there’s been a “big” saw ever made that touches that one on speed. I evaluated one against my 064, and it was awesome, but I went the the newer 064 for parts availability reasons.

No. Actually I have 2 of the 056s that we’re family hand me downs. Both were in a box of parts.I wanted atleast one of them to run and cut so I set out to rebuild atleast one of them. I went out and purchased another non running 056 for a few parts I needed. So all told what I started with was an 056, an 056 super, and the worst shape one an 056 magnum. So technically I own three 056s but not really because only 1 is running and complete.

What I’m running and ended up with is an 056 with the top end from the super. 88cc I think. The magnum is like you said 94cc ( or I thought 92cc ?).

That said it’s slow reving saw. I also have an 031 from around the same era. Also slow reving saw. Difference is atleast the 056 puts out a lot of power. If a saw doesn’t have high rpm and high chain speed it better atleast have power.

Compared to my Jonsered 2172 which is modern and high rpm at only 70cc the 056 does feel stronger. But it doesn’t seem that much faster if at all in the wood I normally cut which is at most 36 to 40 inch diameter oak trees at the base. So I usually just use the 2172 with a 24 inch bar side to side on the larger oaks because parts are too hard to find on the old 056.

I cut up a standing dead red oak yesterday that was 2 feet around I just used my 50cc. Lighter and seems just as fast on the smaller stuff.

 

[Jazzberry]

Just curious what length bars you were running and back to back ? I’ve gotta believe when it comes to running very long bars the 084 would prevail over the modified 460. It’s just giving up too much displacement in my opinion.

My heavily modded Jonsered 2252 ( Husky 545 / 550) with a 16 inch bar and let’s just say a 14 inch log is pretty much a match for my 70cc Jonsered 2172 in the same size wood. The chain speed is very fast. Also the ported 50cc is pretty close to my old Stihl 056 as well in a small log. That little 50cc ported saw is an absolute screamer like it’s from another world. Like one of those fancy light swords from Star Wars movies what’s it called ? Lightsaber?

BUT if I were to put a 20 inch bar on my ported 50cc and cut say bigger wood I’m pretty sure my Jonsered 2172 and 056 Stihl would be far faster. It’s a case of no replacement for displacement. My 50cc would never be able to pull a 24 inch or larger bar with any kind of authority no matter how strong it runs. Putting a 24 inch on my 056 as old as it is well it just rips through wood. But I have big saws for long bars. Putting anything on a 50cc larger than 18 inches (ported or not) defeats the purpose of a light small saw. If it’s your only saw I suppose it can pull longer bar when needed but not with any kind of speed.

That said a nicely ported 460 sure would be a nice saw to run in the woods. I’d take one.

Bars were lots different and I wouldn't choose the 460 over my 084 for the mill. Different type of power. Like a race car and a diesel truck. But man throttle response and power with a 24? or 28? bar was pretty special.

 

[Ashful]

The guy at my local saw shop loaned me one of their used 084’s, and when he handed it to me, he called it “boring”. Gobs of power, they just slowly chew their way thru anything, but not known as the most fun saw in the shed.

 

[Jazzberry]

The guy at my local saw shop loaned me one of their used 084’s, and when he handed it to me, he called it “boring”. Gobs of power, they just slowly chew their way thru anything, but not known as the most fun saw in the shed.

He nailed it but on a mill you can't touch it. My 084 is far far more powerful compared to my 064. If I wasn't milling I would sell it in a minute.

 

[Rockiesrider]

No doubt it shortens the life a little bit, but if done right, and tuned right, well worth it imo. The time and effort you save is worth having a saw wear out 20% faster. I'm only guessing on the earlier demise and the percentage, but common sense tells me if you're using it harder and running it faster, putting more air and fuel through it in a given amount of time, it's going to wear stuff out faster, that's for sure.

As long as it's done right and tuned, I feel it's well worth it every time you run it. The productivity more than makes up for a shortened lifespan imo.

Porting a saw doesn't shorten its life by any means. Most builders out there do a work port the ones that build race saws even lower the target rpm range for any saws they build for an average customer or only build their own. Optimization of airflow =cooler Temps, cooler Temps =happy saw, happy saw = longer life. I have a 33 yr old 066 that's ported, I recently pulled the head off to read the transfer wash and have a general look around, the saw is wonderful condition. So yes, it does matter what brand you buy, and it does matter who did the work, but I assure you in the scenario of a proper ported saw and a stocker, the ported saw will outlast the stock one byfar.

 

[Isaac Carlson]

Right. I have had my ported ms390 for almost 15 years. It has been run hard with a 28" bar in some big hardwood. Some over 4-5 ft diameter. It has run perfectly every time. I even used it doing tree service work for a while. I ported it myself and it runs great.

I have a ported husky 350 as well, done by me, and it runs circles around much bigger saws and cuts just as well as my ms390. I just got a stihl 650 that ate a circlip. It will get rebuilt and should run for a long time. I tune my saws to a slight burble every time I use them and I use premium gas.

Tuning is a huge factor in saw life. Ported saws run cooler and that's a good thing. Ported within reason and properly tuned, they will last a very, very long time.

 

[WiscWoody]

I see my old thread has gotten some new steam and that’s good, where you at Isaac? I’m in Winter if you know where that is. When I start this thread I had two woods ported saws but a few years ago I bought a new Husqvarna 543XP 40cc saw and I immediately had it ported by a guy in the U.P. Of Michigan that does a lot of saw work for loggers in northern Wisconsin and up by his parts and he doesn’t charge a lot. The saw didn’t gain even 1hp but it helped and I cut up 10 cord of red oak with it as soon as I got it back no problem And it’s so light it’s a delight to use all day. I haven’t ran my ported 390XP nor the 562XP for sometime now and I suppose I should see if they have gas in them and run them out. They both have non-ethanol fuel in them so it’s not too terribly urgent yet.

 

[Isaac Carlson]

I see my old thread has gotten some new steam and that’s good, where you at Isaac? I’m in Winter if you know where that is. When I start this thread I had two woods ported saws but a few years ago I bought a new Husqvarna 543XP 40cc saw and I immediately had it ported by a guy in the U.P. Of Michigan that does a lot of saw work for loggers in northern Wisconsin and up by his parts and he doesn’t charge a lot. The saw didn’t gain even 1hp but it helped and I cut up 10 cord of red oak with it as soon as I got it back no problem And it’s so light it’s a delight to use all day. I haven’t ran my ported 390XP nor the 562XP for sometime now and I suppose I should see if they have gas in them and run them out. They both have non-ethanol fuel in them so it’s not too terribly urgent yet.

I know where winter is. I used to drive through there on the way to the family cabin.
I live outside colfax, if you know where that is. I would love to meet up some time. It's nice to chat with other wood cutters and chainsaw runners. I'm not too far from Scott Kunz (tree monkey).

 

[WiscWoody]

I know where winter is. I used to drive through there on the way to the family cabin.
I live outside colfax, if you know where that is. I would love to meet up some time. It's nice to chat with other wood cutters and chainsaw runners. I'm not too far from Scott Kunz (tree monkey).

Sure Scott ported my 390 and 562XP. I’ll PM you soon.

 

[Ashful]

I’m in Winter if you know where that is.

I know where winter is. I used to drive through there on the way to the family cabin.

I'm clearly not from Wisconsin. My first two guesses were that Woody had a second home in South Africa or Australia.

 

[WiscWoody]

I'm clearly not from Wisconsin. My first two guesses were that Woody had a second home in South Africa or Australia.

Haha Ashful yeah I just follow the cold weather around so I never have to stop enjoying my wonderful wood stove heat lol. Good to see your back on Hearth Ash, I’ll have to stop in more often now and see what we’re chatting about.

 

[Ashful]

Haha Ashful yeah I just follow the cold weather around so I never have to stop enjoying my wonderful wood stove heat lol. Good to see your back on Hearth Ash, I’ll have to stop in more often now and see what we’re chatting about.

yeah... I was thinking, "man, this Woody guy is hard-core!" Sort of like that old The Endless Summer movie, but the reverse, for serious stove fanatics.

 

[Isaac Carlson]

Well, I can give a definite pro for ported saws.....

I ran my 350 today and it ran so strong, it was just crazy. I buzzed up some oak and locust, and the saw went right through it.

 

[Isaac Carlson]

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