I have heard a lot of people dog the 2.5 but I have to say it is the easiest engine I have ever had to keep running. All I ever have to do is tweak it a little depending on the weather. As for Midget...why would I want to go out and buy a new truck as a newbee only to have to go out and dump more money into it by buying a new motor?? Shouldnt the motor that comes with the truck work at least halfway decent?? I undertand that the OS is a better motor and that is what I will be putting in my rusty when (or if) the 2.5 ever craps out. As for tuning the .18...it has to START before you can tune it lol