346XP OE to NE 44.3mm Upgrade - Worth it??

[davefr]

Guys,
I'm redoing the intake on a pretty minty 346XP OE and while the top end is taken apart I'm think of upgrading to the NE edition 44.3mm cylinder kit. In you opinion is it worth the upgrade? My 42mm OEM cylinder/piston is in excellent shape. A 44.3mm kit is about $100 OEM or $50 aftermarket.

P.S. The intake design on these saw is a real kludge IMHO. From cylinder to carb is 5 connection points with potential for leakage.

Thanks

 

[old guy]

Do not do aftermarket. Do put on the 44.3 n e, then you decide which one you like better.

 

[r black]

both are good.... just stay oem...... unless you need to.... no need to ( upgrade) to the 44.3mm

 

[grizz55chev]

Do not do aftermarket. Do put on the 44.3 n e, then you decide which one you like better.

I've done this to a few 350's for friends and family with fantastic results, best firewood saws dollar for dollar out there!

 

[Andyshine77]

No real need to get the NE top end, the difference is there, but it's not night and day. Yes always stick with OEM.

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

Go for an aftermarket 44.3 and make what was a great saw into a mediocre one.

 

[davefr]

Thanks guys. I'm going to resist the urge to fix what isn't broken and stick with OEM 42mm.