Is your friend's e-maxx stock? If so, how does the pede run with it? Wanted to compare cause I have an e-maxx too but I put extremely low gears in it for even more torque, 9 tooth pinion and 72 spur. Then put diff spools front and rear to make sure all that torque gets to all 4 wheels. It used to take minimal effort to get it to climb a wall with the front wheels, now it does it just as easily as driving on flat ground but doesn't steer worth a crap.