084 vs 088. Which is better?

[Brewz]

Hi folks.

I have been doing some thinking about these 2 models.
Now we all know that the 064 and the 084 got replaced with the 066 and the 088.
We also know the love "people in the know that modify stuff" have for the 064.
Is the 084 the same?

I am asking this from a stand point of someone who will be porting the saw.

I have done some reading on the 084 and 088 and from what I can find out, the 088 combustion chamber got reduced in size and the squish got lowered to increase compression. There were also some port timing changes and the 088 lowers got opened up.

Today I missed out on a pristine 088 with its original tool kit, a grandberg mill and 60" GB bar for $1980. Considering a new MS880 is worth $3000 here, I was shattered to be told I was 2nd in line and missed out.

084's pop up more often and are cheaper. I plan to use it for bucking large timber and milling big stuff.
The other thing I like about the 084's is they have an Aux oiler button. This is a big plus for me.
The 084 mufflers also look to me easily modified for better flow.

So, what are peoples opinions, findings, recommendations?
Id love to see some info on port timings and porting preferences for both if anyone has any.
Muffler mods, air filter mods, anything......... is the 084 worth putting some work into if I can get a nice one?

 

[CapitaineHaddoc]

The 066 didn't replaced the 064. When Stihl stop the production of the 064 (or MS640), they replaced it with the 650 which is just a 85cc jug on a 660 crankcase.

I'll try to find a good used 088 over a 084, I think parts are more easy to found.

 

[jmssaws]

I've had a 084 and 880 but no 088
Ported it seemed the 084 was stronger but parts are a problem.
Here's my old 084

 

[jacob j.]

The 084 is my favorite but I'm biased- my dad was a timber falling contractor when the 084 came out and he bought one new around late 1988. Up until then he'd been using his 090 on the big stuff. I used 084s throughout the 90's as my big saw.

 

[redoakneck]

Still can get an OEM p/c for 088 @250 new, I think, at did back in may.

Never ran an 084, but the parts availability would be the deal breaker if you are going to mill with it.

 

[Definitive Dave]

084 is more fun to modify and run as a fast saw, though the 088 can certainly be made to run too
084 harder to find OEM parts new and used
near zero aftermarket support for either beyond a really nice piston from Meteor (same weight as OEM, I checked)
for milling I would choose an 088 or MS880 over the 084
ANECDOTALLY (not science, just seat of the pants feel when running) the 084 has better overall chain speed in 20-40" wood but the 088 has better low end torque (classic faster vs stronger)

 

[jmssaws]

084 is more fun to modify and run as a fast saw, though the 088 can certainly be made to run too
084 harder to find OEM parts new and used
near zero aftermarket support for either beyond a really nice piston from Meteor (same weight as OEM, I checked)
for milling I would choose an 088 or MS880 over the 084
ANECDOTALLY (not science, just seat of the pants feel when running) the 084 has better overall chain speed in 20-40" wood but the 088 has better low end torque (classic faster vs stronger)

My 084 was faster than the 88 and felt better running.
Parts availability is the problem

 

[Cut4fun]

I had a total of 5 084's. Just liked them for the big saws. Only 4 of them in this pic.

2 stock, 2 woods ported, 1 race ported.

 

[Cut4fun]

This was my starter kit. 084 Open, 5ci, 3ci

 

[Cut4fun]

Playing at a gtgs

 

[Nitehawk55]

084 is better for modding but the 088/880 was the better saw for reliability out in the forest .
Tech manager at Stihl built a few nice 084's , I think he has a pipe for one yet .

 

[Iron.and.bark]

Guy I bought a heap of parts saws off has 3 084 sitting on a shelf. Definitely around here in oz.

When stihl made these finger bruising 084 bastards, they made the lightest possible saw for the power range.

088 - 22.2lbs
084 - 19.6lbs

 

[Iron.and.bark]

On a side note, that guy hates 084's. Could probably buy all 3 of him if anyone wants a package deal.

 

[mdavlee]

084 actually feels like you could run it in the woods. 088 seems more bulky but better on a mill.

 

[hseII]

084 actually feels like you could run it in the woods. 088 seems more bulky but better on a mill.

I hope Moobsy puts our's on a diet.

[emoji38][emoji38][emoji38]


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[mdavlee]

I hope Moobsy puts our's on a diet.

[emoji38][emoji38][emoji38]


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I'm sure he will have it improved

 

[CR888]

Sadly these big saws are not the focus of OEM development as they used to be. The 3120xp & ms880 could be greatly upgraded if the OEM's wanted to. 90cc+ saws are a slowly dying breed.

 

[Brewz]

Guy I bought a heap of parts saws off has 3 084 sitting on a shelf. Definitely around here in oz.

When stihl made these finger bruising 084 bastards, they made the lightest possible saw for the power range.

088 - 22.2lbs
084 - 19.6lbs

I see a lot of nice 084's advertised, id say 10:1 over 088's and usually half the price.

I am thinking for the low use I would inflict on it, even if it is milling, it would be more user friendly than my 090 and I could buy a good one and a parts saw for what a good 088 sells for.

There is also the cross performance - performance P&C kit available through HLS

 

[Brewz]

On a side note, that guy hates 084's. Could probably buy all 3 of him if anyone wants a package deal.

Ask him how much?

What sort of condition were they in?

 

[jb-chainsaws]

I'd also like to know how much, with pics if possible