Echo

Timberlife1994

Timberlife1994

Location
Hendersonville
So I just picked up a 2511 on a heck of a deal it was a demo saw only had echo pre mix run in it and only a couple tanks through it. It still has the factory 12 inch on it with all the paint on it. My question is who all mods them and what are the pros and cons? What mods do you like? I've heard they really wake up with a muff mod and advanced timing I'm thinking of possibly putting a 10 inch on it or do y'all think it would be better to run the 12 inch panther kit?
 
Timberlife1994 said:
So I just picked up a 2511 on a heck of a deal it was a demo saw only had echo pre mix run in it and only a couple tanks through it. It still has the factory 12 inch on it with all the paint on it. My question is who all mods them and what are the pros and cons? What mods do you like? I've heard they really wake up with a muff mod and advanced timing I'm thinking of possibly putting a 10 inch on it or do y'all think it would be better to run the 12 inch panther kit?
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I’d go with a Stihl 12” and a panther chain
 
I have a 12" on my top handle and wouldn't want anything shorter. The reach isn't an issue, but cutting depth, especially with some less than ideal positions, can prompt me to change to a saw with a longer bar. Plus, I figure the shorter the bar, the greater the sharpenings.
 
I run the 14" bar and the chain it came with, seems fine to me but im not a big removal guy. Great to have the extra reach sometimes
 
I switched mine over to a 12" Panther bar and chain, which made a huge difference in my opinion, was never happy with the stock bar/chain combo. Everyone says the saw responds great to mods (porting, timing, muffler) but I haven't done any of that.
 
Removing the spark arrestor screen increases the air flow enough to be comparable to a muffler mod. That's a pretty easy thing to do but you have to weigh it against the risks for your specific situation. For me it was well worth it.
 
SeanRuel said:
I run the 14" bar and the chain it came with, seems fine to me but im not a big removal guy. Great to have the extra reach sometimes
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Seems fine without comparison.

Worth it!


My oiler quit on my original (converted). Until i had an impact driver to change the sprocket, i had to use the stock, Again.
Thumbs down.
Quickly changed drum, bar and chain.
Happy again.
Ymmv
 
Open up the muffler
As others mentioned, get the stihl 12” bar and micro chain and 1/4” sprocket.

Pull the carb jet restrictors off to fine tune once the engine has had a few tanks run through it.

Keep a spare coil on hand. I’ve gone through a few
 
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@southsoundtree or anyone else do you have part links for the conversion? I don't have the bandwidth for internet scouring atm, but interested to try it.

Is it noticeably harder to sharpen the pico chain?
 
You can buy the whole kit here, which is where I got mine (Panther bar, not Stihl but same thing): https://monkeybeaver.com/product/panther-echo/

BUT it says "available in March, price subject to change" so.....

I find the smaller chain is harder to sharpen, but probably just because I have fewer hours of experience doing it than 'normal' chain.
 
Njdelaney said:
Removing the spark arrestor screen increases the air flow enough to be comparable to a muffler mod. That's a pretty easy thing to do but you have to weigh it against the risks for your specific situation. For me it was well worth it.
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Did you tune it after removing spark screen?
 
SeanRuel said:
@southsoundtree or anyone else do you have part links for the conversion? I don't have the bandwidth for internet scouring atm, but interested to try it.

Is it noticeably harder to sharpen the pico chain?
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Ask Nutball.

Same round filing as any other, aside from top-handles's chains are rarely are beat up. Use finesse. Files bend when you use them like they are 13/64"
 
Simple muffler mod, remove limiter caps. Did the 1/4 inch pitch conversion n it’s crazy how much of a difference that makes. Gotta use the panther chain tho. It’s a bit more flimsy, but the Stihl 1/4 pitch chain in stores basically negates the conversion. Doesn’t cut well. But with the panther chain, you can push the saw pretty hard as far as wood size and it cuts like butter. Stock chain chatters unbelievably hard, anything over 5-6 inches was frustrating. This saw is a lifesaver.
 
Timberlife1994 said:
So I just picked up a 2511 on a heck of a deal it was a demo saw only had echo pre mix run in it and only a couple tanks through it. It still has the factory 12 inch on it with all the paint on it. My question is who all mods them and what are the pros and cons? What mods do you like? I've heard they really wake up with a muff mod and advanced timing I'm thinking of possibly putting a 10 inch on it or do y'all think it would be better to run the 12 inch panther kit?
Click to expand...
I've run it in stock form with the 12" stock bar and chain and the panther 1/4 pitch 12". Definitely prefer the latter. I just got mine back from a builder last Wednesday and it's a completely new animal now. Timing advance, muffler mod, port work, retuned carb, and I believe he machined the cylinder base and/or squish band. So far I think it's money well spent.
 
Lupin_IV said:
Simple muffler mod, remove limiter caps. Did the 1/4 inch pitch conversion n it’s crazy how much of a difference that makes. Gotta use the panther chain tho. It’s a bit more flimsy, but the Stihl 1/4 pitch chain in stores basically negates the conversion. Doesn’t cut well. But with the panther chain, you can push the saw pretty hard as far as wood size and it cuts like butter. Stock chain chatters unbelievably hard, anything over 5-6 inches was frustrating. This saw is a lifesaver.
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Have you run both Panther and Stihl? What species and sizes?
 
southsoundtree said:
Have you run both Panther and Stihl? What species and sizes?
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I guess I should say, the Stihl 1/4” they carry locally here preboxed. Had those safety rakers. I don’t recall the exact specs on that one and I ditched it. Panther chain was the stuff from monkey beaver. 12” bar.

The most notable species probably would have been green ash at the time if you were indeed asking about the species and didn’t mean chain specs. Very hard chattering with the stock 3/8” or whatever it is.
 
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