You guys did this.....

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BlackCatBone

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:dizzy: Can someone please post a pic of what a muffler that has been ported or drilled out looks like?

I want to open the muffler on my 357xp because now, thanks to you guys, I have the disease. Does anyone think this kind of mod is a liability to engine life or reliability? Just asking cause I'm new:monkey:

I understand that this will also warrant some carb adjustment. Any words of advice?

I did a search on this and there is just too much to wade through, and not much specific to my saw. Be kind to a new guy..it will be your good deed for the day.
 
Thanks HuskyDave, that knocked out several of my questions.

I am still having a bit of trouble visualizing the hole in the muffler. Do you just bore a hole in any arbitrary spot on outside of the muffler?
 
Here ya go. This my 359.
P8020226.jpg

P8020227.jpg
 
Thanks, I really appreciate it.

That looks a bit different than I thought. Did you bore the holes and weld up a small piece of pipe to direct the exhaust?
 
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Finished this mod today. This is a "Lakeside" mod, credit given to Lakeside53 that posted the step by step directions on how-to-do. This would work on many saws. Thanks Lakeside!
 
Thanks, I really appreciate it.

That looks a bit different than I thought. Did you bore the holes and weld up a small piece of pipe to direct the exhaust?
Yep. The muffler came from Baileys. (site sponsor) Its a non-cat for a 357-359. Just tore out most of the guts, drilled 3/8' holes then took the die grinder and ground to match 5/8 conduit that was cut on angles with hacksaw, Then braized them on. Sounds and works great.
 
Thanks HuskyDave, that knocked out several of my questions.

I am still having a bit of trouble visualizing the hole in the muffler. Do you just bore a hole in any arbitrary spot on outside of the muffler?



No, you don't want the exhaust blowing onto your fingers, the plastic or directly onto the wood you are cutting. This kind of limits the places that an extra vent will work well.
 
yes you want the hole to be on the front or to the right imo so when you use the saw on it's side it won't blow the exhaust up. Make sure you take the muffler off and after drilling it you remove all the burrs and fillings from the inside of the muffler. The short pipes are optional they are more for looks or to direct the exhaust more than anything else. Good luck take your time enjoy the project and tell us what you think after.
 
Excellent information, thanks so much!

I see this topic has come up a few million times. Thanks for being patient and helping a new guy. I think I've got the idea now.
 
Bear with me, I just run saws and do whatever maintenance to keep them going. When you drill that hole in the muffler, what happens to the spark arrestor screen. We have fire regulations out here during the summer, and if you modified the muffler and screwed up the spark arrestor, I'd have to send you home. Does this mess up the screen? Or route the exhaust around the screen? If it does, how many folks are aware that they are not complying with state laws on the left coast when they use a modified saw in the woods during fire season? Sorry to be such a downer, but knowing might save somebody some disappointment.
 
You should tack a screen on on the inside or better yet use Lakesides method and have a Stihl approved spark arrester.
 
You should tack a screen on on the inside or better yet use Lakesides method and have a Stihl approved spark arrester.

the style Andy showed us is the best in my opinion, because if it ever clogs or wears out you can easily replace it.
 
Ok guys, I am going to try this out in a few days. I am planning to use a .5 inch hole through the muffler mounting bracket with a mesh screen.

My 357xp has a spec max rpm of 14000. When I am retuning the carb, should I still stay at or under this number once the muffler port is there? A tach will be available to me.

Thank again:cheers:
 
You want to be a bit richer than max rpm with most saws. This will help when the saw is under load. It is trial and error set rpm by ear or tach checking the plug often and timing your cuts that makes a perfect tune.
 
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