OK, battle between two legends: 288xp vs 394xp

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I have a 281. Is there much difference between it and a 288. I like it, it's pretty stout and fast, makes me wonder what a few more cc's will do. I'm not sure comparing a 288 to a 394 is really fair, I feel a 066 and 390xp would be more evenly matched as far as cc's go.

After seeing some of the vids posted by the fellows here, I certainly concur. I expected the 394 to have an advantage due to it's larger displacement, but I didn't expect the difference to be as noticeable as the videos posted clearly indicate.

I was curious about the 288 due to the massive following they have and was wondering if they were an exceptionally good design causing them to punch above their weight class... A factory-freak of sorts. I've run 395's and 372's but never laid hands on a 288. After taking in the info here, I am no less convinced that the 288 is a great saw that has earned a well desrved loyal following. However, it seems to me based on the info and videos posted that the 390 does everything a 288 did but with better AV characteristics. So for me, I think that if I were to decide to add a saw in that size class to what I have, I would likely gun for a 390. Unless of course a good opportunity in the form of a 288 presented itself..

I would also add that after taking in the info posted concerning the comparison between the 394 and 395, I'm kind of glad I got a 394.

One thing I know after all of this, I have come to really enjoy picking up blown/neglected/hopeless powerheads on the cheap and making them run again! I can't go drop $1200 on a new 395 at the drop of a hat, resurrecting them makes them much more affordable for me.

 

[Wolverine]

Heck yeah! I paid $100 for mine. It was in pieces in a tote and quite the oily mess.


New seals, Randy's advice to removing transfer, a Meteor and away I went. Think I had about 300 in it after a few misc parts and a 24"b/c.

 

[Simondo]

Hi Joe
I guess this could" also" come down to folks collecting the 200 series of saws. Your going to want a 288 in the mix regardless of comparisons with other saws. Taken on its own merit its a nice saw plus a good mod saw .

 

[Wolverine]

That big cam idle of the 288 can't be beat

I can get a little bit of it when the 94 is cold.

 

[Simondo]

That big cam idle of the 288 can't be beat

I can get a little bit of it when the 94 is cold.

Its a Swedish Thang ..Pin .. Ting Pin ..Ting ..Its why i bought a new 262 back in 1992

 

[idiotwithasaw]

After seeing some of the vids posted by the fellows here, I certainly concur. I expected the 394 to have an advantage due to it's larger displacement, but I didn't expect the difference to be as noticeable as the videos posted clearly indicate.

I was curious about the 288 due to the massive following they have and was wondering if they were an exceptionally good design causing them to punch above their weight class... A factory-freak of sorts. I've run 395's and 372's but never laid hands on a 288. After taking in the info here, I am no less convinced that the 288 is a great saw that has earned a well desrved loyal following. However, it seems to me based on the info and videos posted that the 390 does everything a 288 did but with better AV characteristics. So for me, I think that if I were to decide to add a saw in that size class to what I have, I would likely gun for a 390. Unless of course a good opportunity in the form of a 288 presented itself..

I would also add that after taking in the info posted concerning the comparison between the 394 and 395, I'm kind of glad I got a 394.

One thing I know after all of this, I have come to really enjoy picking up blown/neglected/hopeless powerheads on the cheap and making them run again! I can't go drop $1200 on a new 395 at the drop of a hat, resurrecting them makes them much more affordable for me.

Even if you spend more than you would have buying a runner, you are at least able to spread the cost out over time on parts. Think of it as interest, lol.

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[MG2186]

My 288 is stronger than my 2186. Tree Monkey ported them both. It's faster and has more torque


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[Locust Cutter]

394s are nice but I have an answer for them: Dolmar 9010. It'll do just fine.

 

[srcarr52]

394s are nice but I have an answer for them: Dolmar 9010. It'll do just fine.

A stock 288 would give a stock 9010 a run for it's money and it's a bit lighter too.

 

[38f20]

I like them both. I agree about the 288 not being near as smooth as the 394 but the weight difference makes up for it. I've got more in my 288 than I could get for it but it was fun to build and it gets lots of use. Neither are ported.

 

[old guy]

Yer making me wanna go start my 281.

John

 

[jmssaws]

Yer making me wanna go start my 281.

John

Will I be flogged if I say the last 281 I ported would hang maybe in certain situations beat the 288s I've had.

 

[old guy]

You won't be flogged by me. My 281 powerhead is as new, the guy I got it from said it sat in a house he owned for 20 years or so.
When he brought it to me I pulled the plug and put a little flex lite in there & the top of the piston was still white, I could read the AB letters on it and could see clean casting in the exaust port.
The chain, clutch, rim & 28" bar were not new but in good shape.
Me being a bit aged & battered was unable to start the thing till I put a D handle on it, it starts cold with 3 to 4 pulls.
I really have no use for this saw but it's mine for now, maybe someday somebody could pry it away from me with a long green lever.

John

 

[Mark71gtx]

I have never ran a 394 or a 395. I have a 288 XP Lite and I really, really like everything about that saw. If a 394 ever crosses my path I might have to own it based on what I have read in this thread. The 288 still ain't going anywhere though...

 

[Jimmy in NC]

I have never ran a 394 or a 395. I have a 288 XP Lite and I really, really like everything about that saw. If a 394 ever crosses my path I might have to own it based on what I have read in this thread. The 288 still ain't going anywhere though...

We can fix that...well...I'll at least let you run one...

 

[Mark71gtx]

I will certainly take you up on that offer!

 

[Jimmy in NC]

I will certainly take you up on that offer!

I have a tree to put down at my rental in FV...don't know how booked your weekends are, but ill let you know when. I also have a pile of logs at the shop if you just want to knock some cookies off...couple big pines in it. 1010/401 is the shop..

 

[Mark71gtx]

Just say when. PM inbound...

 

[riverrat2]

Mine is still together although I took it to work with me yesterday and gave it an initial cleaning it needed quite badly. Also ordered a Meteor 394 spec piston the other night too.

It may not need it, but it's getting a bottom-up overhaul and a little grinding too of course. My goal is to make it better than new. Well, other than a few scratches and worn off paint anyway...

Heck that patina look just gives them character!!! I ran my freshened up 288XP at the BBQ firewood pile today,,, It just came back from tha tree monkey's lovin center !!!!

I had to tweak the Carby a bit to get it to act right,,,,

Woot Woot!!!!!~ that freaking thing rips I tells ya!!!!! Thanks Scott,,, @tree monkey I really like it

A 395 is smooth

Way!!!!!!

 

[riverrat2]

I have never ran a 394 or a 395. I have a 288 XP Lite and I really, really like everything about that saw. If a 394 ever crosses my path I might have to own it based on what I have read in this thread. The 288 still ain't going anywhere though...

Good Call!!!!!