XP to XPG

[MR_T]

How hard is it to convert a 346xp to xpg? Anyone do it?

 

[hacskaroly]

How hard is it to convert a 346xp to xpg? Anyone do it?

Depends on how much money you have . I have a 272 xpg that someone clipped all the wires to and swapped out the front handle for non-heated. I was able to rewire from the generator and get the rear handle heaters working. I guess the first thing to find out is if there is a generator that is made to fit the 346, if so, then you would need to get that, front handle with heating pad and if your rear handle does not have the knockouts, you will need to get a rear handle/gas tank that has the ability to fit the two heating pads there. You would also need to mount a switch. Run wires to complete the circuit. The IPLs for saws that have it will have all the parts and part numbers you would need if you are trying to stay OEM.

 

[hacskaroly]

Looks like it is an option:

 

[Ryan Browne]

It's probably going to be cheaper to sell the 346 and buy a 550xpg, but I realize that's not what you asked.

 

[quattro.pilot]

Need the generator (which lives behind the flywheel).

May need a different flywheel.

Need the off/on switch.

Need the heated handle bar.

Need the heater pad for the carb.

Need the thermostat (for the carb).

May need a G-model specific carb.

associated wire leads will come with the various components.

If you can get a donor saw than that will be the easiest. Might be able to get most of the individual parts used off Ebay (they'll be expensive though). Overall it's kind of a cost-prohibitive "upgrade". Better off to find a saw that was built from factory with the G option

Difficulty level, scale of 1 to 10, it's probably like a 5'ish... this project should be measured more on a "Beeotchy Scale", of which I'd probably rank it around 8... quite a few pieces have to come off in order to route wiring and install components. Getting the flywheel off is likely to be the biggest headache. It's not a particularly hard job, just time consuming and potentially expensive. I'm sure people do it, but it makes most sense when someone already holds a donor saw.

 

[300whisper]

Generator, G model flywheel, heated front handle, switch and rear handle heater element.
537301702 front handle replace existing
537326801 switch attached with existing screws
503926102 rear handle heating element requires disassembly of throttle trigger
503213801 R/H element attachment screws (2)
503824305 G model flywheel replaces existing
537330201 Generator attached under rhe flywheel with two M4 screws (503202516). Use of blue Loctite highly recommended.

If you really want to go overboard, add these to the list:

501986301 Thermostat attached over carb with thermostat holder (537060402) with existing carb diaphram cover screws.
Wire routing, from generator via Y- cable to switch and optional carb heating thermostat. From switch to through rear heating element to ground.

Pros
- makes winter time chainsawing enjoyable experience
- no white fingers
- big grin on your face
- envyous neighbors (remember to mention heated handles every time)
- you are worth it

Cons
- pricey as heck to convert afterwards but it is only money and we live only once with envious neighbors.

Only one saw in picture is non heated, 340/346.

 

[farminkarman]

It's probably going to be cheaper to sell the 346 and buy a 550xpg, but I realize that's not what you asked.

This is what I would recommend also

 

[Tor R]

Technically, the difficulty is 1 in 10 to do it.

There are some things that you should have control over.

With or without carb heater, and OE vs NE.
OE vs NE is a microscopic difference, the most important is a different cable connection to the rear heater.
Carb heater has a different flywheel and generator, I myself have not studied with or without carb heater, so I do not know the resistance difference between the two generators.
Most 346 xpg's in Norway are without carb heater.

Price-wise part for part, it is the flywheel and generator that ruins the project, if you are going to come out reasonably economically on it, used flywheel & generator is the way to go.
The generator itself is similar between 562, 560, 550, 357, 346, only the length of the cable and the cable lug are different.

There is also a small cable protection, # 504043501, which is from the tank to the handle, very nice to buy when you first do the conversion.

A weakness all generators have, from 2xx to 5xx is the mounting of the wire inside the generator, this certainly applies to Stihl as no one has gone far to be unique...It is easy to fix though.

Also be aware that Husqvarna has started phasing out 3xx parts.

 

[MR_T]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm in the process of looking for a NOS or mint XPG with a standard carb. I have a feeling I'll be settling for a 5 series saw.

 

[farminkarman]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm in the process of looking for a NOS or mint XPG with a standard carb. I have a feeling I'll be settling for a 5 series saw.

If you can wait a year or two, you might come across one. The 550xpg is a pretty sweet little saw though.

 

[MR_T]

If you can wait a year or two, you might come across one. The 550xpg is a pretty sweet little saw though.

Yea, I'm not really in a rush.

 

[Motorka]

Buy XPG sticker for the one you have and another new saw with a real heater.
There is ok to have two saws.

 

[Bill G]

A major concern is the availability of actually getting all the parts if new ones are desired. I would make sure every piece you need is available. I know some of the parts for a 395 Heated are on "backorder" with an anticipated availability date of sometime in March. That does not mean they will show up though since the saw is not longer built and has not been in awhile. It would stink to spend a bunch of money and then be missing one or more essential parts. I have had to wait quite awhile for what should be common replacement parts for 395s. I think some of that is due to wanting OEM instead of aftermarket. Of course with heated components it is OEM new or used

 

[hacskaroly]

A major concern is the availability of actually getting all the parts if new ones are desired.

Yup, looking for a front handle for my 272xpg and when you can find them they are easily $100+

 

[Tor R]

If you are still considering xpg, what you should do is the following....
1) Decide whether you want one with or without a carburetor heater.
2) Make a parts list.
3) Ask for tips, how those who have built it and how they went about obtaining parts.

Know that it is the flywheel and generator that are very expensive, the handle itself and the rear heater are not very expensive

 

[MR_T]

If you are still considering xpg, what you should do is the following....
1) Decide whether you want one with or without a carburetor heater.
2) Make a parts list.
3) Ask for tips, how those who have built it and how they went about obtaining parts.

Know that it is the flywheel and generator that are very expensive, the handle itself and the rear heater are not very expensive

Yea, I don't think I will be doing it. Between the parts availability and price. I'm already looking for a new saw.