Stihl 500i Upgrades

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

yeah, the suspension kit from Westcoast Saws is great for the 500i. The stock suspension leaves the Chainsaw like a wet noodle.

[@RICHIE_RICH89]

I heard bucking bill say they need atiffer bar springs. He did that to his its flexible as hell he said. Felt like it was going to break. Im sure he did that star spong too but i know stiffer apringes for sure.

[@johnpappas2060]

Bless Very nice video. I own a 462c & these modifications would help the saw tremendously. Plus I’m thinking of buying the 500i with a 32” bar. You could have shown more of the spring modification. Otherwise, the rest was GREAT 👍. Thanks 😊

[@Mdcusin975]

Yeah, I see now that my wrist blocked a lot of the shot, if you want you can go to the West Coast Saw page and see his video on installing the springs and the bushings

[@jeffcoulter7181]

I’m in New Zealand, don’t really get why you need the wrap bar. Seems to be an American thing only.

[@Mdcusin975]

Well I am an American. But that being said, it just makes the saw easier to use if the safest place to cut down a tree is on the right side (when facing where the tree is to fall), and I'm a big believer in have it and not need it, than need it and not have it

[@timberray9572]

The full wrap is for people that are afraid of cutting with the top of the bar. Also prevents you from flush cutting a stump.

[@Mdcusin975]

Not too worried about flush cutting as we dig them out with a machine, but if you don’t like a wrap handle then you don’t need to put one on your saw

[@jeffcoulter7181]

@@Mdcusin975 yep, not being critical just not a thing in our part of the world.

[@johac7637]

If you ever tried falling on steep terrain, with one you would never go back, try using a 1/2 wrap and sight for accurate falling, it's just not there for you. 25+ years falling, never had anything less, even today my firewood saw is full wrap.

[@TBizzell68]

Nice! I’ll do the same on mine. I’m still on the fence about the wrap handle, I’ve been using saws without for a long time, but I could see some advantages.

[@Mdcusin975]

It is a personal choice, most of my big saws have a full wrap handle and most of my small saws don’t, I don’t use it all the time but it is nice to have when I do

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

the Bark Box Westcoast Saws has for the 500i will up the power also. It would go right where the exhaust cover you took off goes. Great upgrade for power on the 500i Gordy says you would have to increase the fuel a bit on it to adjust for exhaust port upgrades

[@timothysullivan4130]

Sure will, I have one on mine from WCS great improvement & max flo air filter also have the WCS dogs. GREAT saw👍

[@FYMM69]

Haha can’t believe you didn’t pull the threads outta the guide plate retaining screw. Wow man go easy

[@Mdcusin975]

I had to watch it again to see what you meant, and yeah, I can see your concern

[@FYMM69]

@@Mdcusin975 I appreciate the fact you’re man enough to admit your mistakes

[@ianmackenzie8584]

Those WCS clutch covers need tightening to specific torques - best to use a torque wrench.

[@revdocjim2002]

The suspension kit looks like it might be a good option. Mine came with a wrap handle so I'm covered there. The big dawgs look more like bling than anything functional since I don't think it's a very good idea to really dig them in... But I guess that's a matter of individual taste. BTW, I didn't have any trouble removing my dawgs without removing the muffler. Just use a smaller wrench. The clutch cover replacement also sort of seems blingy. And you lose your captive nuts! I was also puzzled by the guide plate replacement. I don't think there's much stress on that part... so the only difference I can think of is that the saw gets heavier with the thicker one. Anyway, thanks for a fun watch!

[@Mdcusin975]

@@revdocjim2002 I like the dogs as the middle point is in line with the bottom of the bar, so I can see where it is in the cut, and I don’t like the captive bar nuts but the clutch cover extends down farther so when using the wrap handle if a chain is thrown it will protect my hands

[@Flashblade]

Can you do a quick video showing how to remove the spark arrestor? For cleaning/replacement

[@outdoorswithlarryrobin]

Hello Matt, just bought the 500i, only mod so far is a Bark Box from west coast saws, just subscribed 🚜🪵👍🏼🇺🇸

[@Mdcusin975]

I hope you like it, the 500 has quickly become one of my favorite saws as it starts real easy and is a lot of power at a light weight, a bark box is in the future for my saws once the warranty expires

[@pauljones8796]

That thicker guide plate is going to move your bar over how is the chain alignment on the sprocket.

[@Mdcusin975]

The sprocket is able to move on back and forth a bit so it doesn’t effect the chain alignment

[@jamesdalme8246]

Not another mall ninja saw. 😝

[@jasonmichaeljimenez]

Nice video. Thank you.

[@rottiejakeluke]

Thanks for your video. I am planing to buy a 500i soon, but wonder what you can tell me about/between the 462 since that was another saw I did think about. Thank you for anything you can help me with.

[@Mdcusin975]

I have both saws and out of the two I grab the 500 first and take the 462 as backup. In ease of starting and power into addition to its light weight my 500 is one of my favorite saws. The 462 is a great saw, but my 500 is my go to. You won’t go wrong with either one you pick

[@rottiejakeluke]

@@Mdcusin975 thanks, you confirmed my thoughts.

[@timothysullivan4130]

I own one & highly recommended it! Spins a Stihl light 32 bar no problem👍

[@karm00n29]

@@rottiejakeluke 500i is goated

[@TheNutzandBoltz]

Why not replace the guide plate if and when it wears out?

[@glennllewellyn7369]

Might push the bar off center a bit too.

[@rottiejakeluke]

Did WCS give you any price break getting all the extra parts you did? Where did you get the inner guide plate, can you send me a part number and link where you purchased it? Thank you.

[@Mdcusin975]

I'm not affliated with WCS in any way, I just like their products as they are good quality. The inner guide plate number is: 1128 664 1001. I get all my parts through my local Stihl dealer, so no link

[@jeremygoodson2046]

Drive the roll pin in on oil pump n turn it up the rest of the way

[@hillbillyfranks]

Just subscribe to your channel very interesting I'll be watching more of your videos you have a good day and take it easy

[@PimSchouten]

Does the suspension kit not F around with the warranty?

[@Mdcusin975]

The suspension kit does not mess with the warranty on the saw. When I talked to the guy at the dealer he told me that porting a saw, putting a muffler mod on, even messing with the air filter could all impact the warranty, but tightening up the suspension with parts from a 661 doesn’t.

[@funkysawmanwright5077]

What's up with that 090av back there?

[@Mdcusin975]

It just hangs out back there until I come across a big tree or need it for milling a tree bigger than 3'

[@PrinceofPain1776]

So you downgraded from captive clutch cover nuts to non-captive??? Sweet

[@Mdcusin975]

@@PrinceofPain1776 yes, I don’t like the captive bar nuts, I could have gotten a new cover with them and chose not to, it’s a personal preference

[@PrinceofPain1776]

@ sweet…

[@famasmaster2000]

Nice job. Very well done my friend 👏 👍

[@Mdcusin975]

Thanks

[@rottiejakeluke]

Why no bark box, nor any air filter mod? Thanks

[@Mdcusin975]

The saw is still new and I run the factory air filters until it needs to be changed, as for the bark box, I put an Egan straight shot on my 462 and didn’t notice enough of an increase to justify the noise level

[@rottiejakeluke]

@@Mdcusin975 thank you for your reply.

[@emanuelguyon7418]

how to make the machine heavier, that's it

[@JacksonCosmic]

can you add links to all the upgrades sir???

[@karm00n29]

westcoastsaw website

[@cammatney6388]

If you didn’t know I’m gonna tell ya you don’t have to take the exhaust off to take the dog off if

[@Mdcusin975]

To use a ratchet I did, if I was smart and used a wrench I could have left it on

[@cammatney6388]

@@Mdcusin975 yeah good point I’ve done some serious work to mine lmao probably not Stock

[@Mdcusin975]

@@cammatney6388 Even stock this is one of my favorite saws, it doesn't compare with the 395 or 090 but those are in completely different classes

[@cammatney6388]

@@Mdcusin975 I agree with you 💯 for sure they’re great they really are

[@KuhFladenFREEEIFEL]

Does anyone knows a HEATED Full Wrap Handle?

[@Mdcusin975]

Are you looking specifically for the 500i or just Stihl saws in general? Stihl does make heated handle saws, marked by a W in the model name, I believe it is a factory only option though, I will ask at my dealer in the next couple days. Specifically Stihl does make a 500iW

[@KuhFladenFREEEIFEL]

@@Mdcusin975 i run the Winter 500i already , but it's no full wrap handle

[@PimSchouten]

@@KuhFladenFREEEIFEL they are soooo comfy! I was logging about a week ago with a saw of a friend of mine, the 500I with heated handle, in the rain. Never been more comfortable in my life running saws haha!

[@Mdcusin975]

I talked to my guy at the dealer and he didn’t know of heated full wrap handle. He has only come across the two handles separately

[@KuhFladenFREEEIFEL]

@@Mdcusin975 a mount on grip , to mount on the heated one?

[@JohnnyIDive37]

2 years later I bet the saw is in the corner of garage collecting dust.

[@Mdcusin975]

@@JohnnyIDive37 your right, this saw does collect dust in the garage, at least since a tree got it, but the 500i I replaced it with is my go to

[@scottfoster2487]

Stihl is so behind husky on spring av that oem has to be thrown away and a after market because Stihl does not understand spring avs yet. Simple mods to make a new saw work is sadly the norm since manufactures are getting cheaper and increase the price you pay for a product.

[@Mdcusin975]

I believe the parts are still OEM Stihl parts, just off of a 660 or 661, but it helps keep the bar from wobbling when a longer bar is being used. I just wish the parts were on the saw from the start.

[@tuneophilegym]

Stih L Mfg. needs to stop Skimping on those guide plates. You shouldn't have to spend more money on something that is sub-standard from the factory! Jimbo

[@Mdcusin975]

Yeah, I'm not sure on all the models, but I know for sure that the 362/462/500 all use the same plate and that it can be replaced with a plate off a 461, I think they use the thinner plate to save on weight

[@happycamper6352]

I've been running that "skimpy" plate for most of every work day for over a year now and it still looks stock condition. I believe it was reduced in gauge because it just straight up doesn't need to be any thicker. Many parts on the 500 were reduced in weight relative to older saws and found to be sufficiently strong even for all-day-every-day users.

[@garengtutorial8923]

👍👍 bagus

[@thegrayhillbilly]

been so much faster to use a 8mm wrench to hold that nut and not remove the muffler cover. Probably been said but...

[@oldbowsaw9001]

Needs bigger doggs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@hepeng2627]

thanks share this video

[@danielpadgett2831]

Just my opinion muffler mods are useless why do it so the saw runs faster its not a race car your cutting wood that's the main reason people do it. Should have used a power tool would have been a lot quicker just saying

[@barakgooroo5082]

Yeah dude I also totally can't see any possible benefit of your saw having more power. Like, wth y wud u do that lol

[@danielpadgett2831]

@@barakgooroo5082 🤣

[@karm00n29]

yeah dude i also totally can't see any possible benefit of buying any saw above a 162. Just another scamming scheme by another corporation of making many models which all do the same

[@bogdankalas1318]

adding weight by useless cover, what is wrong with standard cover? is smaler and lighter. full wrap handle is not practical in forestry. dont know how you feel trees in usa but in europe they have to be cut low as possible. good luck with full wrap. its not a rescue saw. dogs take out your bar lenght, you need 2" longer bar to compensate it, just more weight. did you ever worked with a saw full day? useless mods at all

[@fellowbrotherinwar]

If you live in an area with large sappy trees a large side cover helps clear the chip box. And a larger deflector helps deflect the chips. The full wrap allows you to cut clutch side up in hard situations where steep inclines are preveleant. Also looks better. Also balances better. The suspension is needed for the 500i when running any light bar over 28in. It's all an UPGRADE. STAY IN EUROPE

[@karm00n29]

@@fellowbrotherinwar what about doggs inhaling 2 inches of your bar and not being able to cut low with full wrap? also the cover looks like arse. random color which doesnt match anything on the saw. Leave usa and come to eu you will learn real forestry

[@Mdcusin975]

I use the full wrap to easier cut trees without having to muscle the saw around, and as for bar length being sacrificed who cares, I have a 42” bar on my 395 and a 60” bar on my 090 if the wood gets too big for the 500i, and yes I do use these saws all day which is why I make them the way I want to, some days I take out my Mall Model 12 to cut, you want to talk about weight