550xp project makeover!

[CoreyB]

Ok here is the story. A guy bought a new 550xp a few months back comes in saw box in hand. He (Dan) sets ot on the counter and tells me he has a problem.
I am thinking oh great he broke his saw or something is wrong. So i grabbed the box and open it up while asking whats going on. He starts off saying my little brother!!!
As I start to pull the saw out of the box i notice it looks as if he has never started it. Real clean!
Dan continues with colorful language how his little brother went out and bought the exact same saw just to copy him. His been doing this crap for 30 years.
I giggle under my breath a bit and ask well how can I help.
Dan goes on how can we change my saw so it runs better then his and looks better!
I scratch my head and think well I know some guys that can really make it talk.
I say well a muffler mod will give her a little growl and a bit more bit. That is about the best I can do performance wise short of sending it out to be ported.
Ok Dan says let's start with the MM. Now how do I make it look better.
I suggest a clutch cover of a 545 will look better longer then the grey or have yours powder coated.
So we are going to throw a clutch cover on.
Now my question is can. Top cover off a 2253 fit a 550 and will it look like ok?
Is there anything else other then a cool Sugi or tsumara bar a guy can do?

Here is the MM

 

[CoreyB]

Figured with some lead way I would try some heat shielding.
What are your thoughts? Good? Bad? Waist of time?

I also got a vid of it cutting after the muffler mod and orange 545 side cover.

 

[CoreyB]

Bookmark for progress update

 

[Manofstihl661]

Maybe a full wrap or some larger or more aggressive dawgs?

 

[Dub11]

I'm want to say no cause the recoils will be different.

 

[Manofstihl661]

You should really get him to send it off for porting. Now I want him to smoke his brother. I can’t stand that stuff lol

 

[CoreyB]

I'm want to say no cause the recoils will be different.

Good point I didn't think of that.
I wonder if @Spike60 knows?

 

[CoreyB]

Maybe a full wrap or some larger or more aggressive dawgs?

Is there a,wrap available for the 550?
I think I remember someone putting 562 dawgs on a 550.
Maybe that was @Keith Gandy

 

[Dub11]

You can always dye the plastic black.

 

[huskyboy]

Just be careful on the muffler mods on these and the 562 that the deflector is bent down enough so that the exhaust doesn't hit the chainbrake and melt/burn it.

 

[Dub11]

I know of a member fitting 372 full wraps on a Echo 590 with a few small mods.

 

[CoreyB]

Just be careful on the muffler mods on these and the 562 that the deflector is bent down enough so that the exhaust doesn't hit the chainbrake and melt/burn it.

Ya I think mine is to high. Got warm on my short test run.

 

[Keith Gandy]

Is there a,wrap available for the 550?
I think I remember someone putting 562 dawgs on a 550.
Maybe that was @Keith Gandy

I did Corey but there was a good bit of modification required to make thoso fit the 550

 

[Simondo]

Ok here is the story. A guy bought a new 550xp a few months back comes in saw box in hand. He (Dan) sets ot on the counter and tells me he has a problem.
I am thinking oh great he broke his saw or something is wrong. So i grabbed the box and open it up while asking whats going on. He starts off saying my little brother!!!
As I start to pull the saw out of the box i notice it looks as if he has never started it. Real clean!
Dan continues with colorful language how his little brother went out and bought the exact same saw just to copy him. His been doing this crap for 30 years.
I giggle under my breath a bit and ask well how can I help.
Dan goes on how can we change my saw so it runs better then his and looks better!
I scratch my head and think well I know some guys that can really make it talk.
I say well a muffler mod will give her a little growl and a bit more bit. That is about the best I can do performance wise short of sending it out to be ported.
Ok Dan says let's start with the MM. Now how do I make it look better.
I suggest a clutch cover of a 545 will look better longer then the grey or have yours powder coated.
So we are going to throw a clutch cover on.
Now my question is can. Top cover off a 2253 fit a 550 and will it look like ok?
Is there anything else other then a cool Sugi or tsumara bar a guy can do?

Here is the MM

Simple...you take his 550 towards a trade up to a 562 ...job done !

 

[Ryan Browne]

Send it to Carl Miller, and ask him to leave the sticker off ("not sure bro, they must've just given me a spicier one...") Or trade for a 562.

 

[CoreyB]

Ya I tried to move him to a 562 but he really likes the 550 size better. I even told him he could easily spend the price difference trying to modify the 550. I even offered a 562XPG at a great price and no go.

 

[Ryan Browne]

Ya I tried to move him to a 562 but he really likes the 550 size better. I even told him he could easily spend the price difference trying to modify the 550. I even offered a 562XPG at a great price and no go.

Port job it is then!!

 

[Keith Gandy]

For comfort the 550 size balanaces much better IMO

 

[CoreyB]

Port job it is then!!

I wish I could but I would have to send it to someone. I have not ported a saw and would not want to start on someone else's saw especially such a nice one.

 

[sunfish]

Send it off! Best thing to do!

I would not want bigger dawgs or a wrap on that saw!