This is the second instance of this I've seen in this thread. If I remember correctly, some two strokes do use a kind of a sub port induction to get a bit more air into the engine, but I don't know if that is the case here or not. More likely the piston is installed incorrectly, or someone modified the piston. Sometimes we cut a bit off the intake side of the piston skirt to increase the intake timing without having to port the intake port.

If I get time today, I'll dig out a couple of my Homelite 30cc engines and take a look. Even a stock Homelite with a decent carb and free flowing exhaust should turn better numbers than you guys are getting... Hell, my lowly Ryobi 31cc turns an 18 x 6 prop at over 8000 rpms, and my hopped up Homey 30cc turns an APC 16 x 8 at 9400 rpms. (All on a high quality TNC tach.)

AV8TOR