Unless you plan on using reverse A LOT, I highly recommend getting rid of it. It smooths out the power delivery tremendously. The reverse unit causes a jerkiness in the driveline under partial throttle application. Without it, the jerkiness is gone.

There have been quite a few people having engine problems with the Maxx, myself included, but I wouldn't recommend staying away from the T-Maxx or Sportmaxx all together just because of it. The Maxx is an excellent MT even with the engine problems. Mine ran perfectly today for the first time since I've had it. I'm just wondering if it takes this engine longer to break-in in order to start running properly. Even if you are never able to get the 2.5 to run properly, there are several good replacement engines available, and the list of aftermarket stuff available for these trucks is literally endless. I've heard the Sirio .18 is an awesome engine, and Fantom is about to release their new .18 for the Maxx which will probably be equally as awesome.