Well, after a month of anxious waiting, my GST has finally arrived (can't complain, it cost me $469.99 shipped). My experience breaking in my first cen vehicle can be described in one word-------AWESOME! After reading some of the horror stories here I was expecting a few "setbacks". I had none. The only thing I had to do from the factory settings was lean out the lsn a little. The engine had no trouble idling through the first three tanks. The glove was a great suggestion, BTW. I only had to pull three times the first time it fired, and only one or two thereafter, but the compression is wicked! This is a beast! Tank 4 was equally simple with slow maneuvers, but the last 1/4 tank of #5 was starting to show the large tank issue. (No problem, I already have the ofna primer pump waiting to be installed).

Prior to breaking in the GST, I took suggestions from all of you on this board and changed everything to aluminum with the exception of the shock towers and bulkheads. I even put in the nemesis front and rear diffs, and converted to the nemesis front driveshaft. I opted for the hitec steering servo and am using a HPI baja receiver pack. It's big but it fits nicely above the receiver box between the front shocks. It also affords me the 6V @ 3000mah and so far the juice is constant.

Speaking of big, no picture does the GST justice. The first words out of my mouth were "holy s**t" when I first opened the box, followed by an ear to ear grin. I look forward to many bashing sessions with this monster.

I am so impressed with my first cen that about an hour before posting this, I ordered an MG16 from ebay. I figured I should have both ends of the spectrum, LOL

Now That's What I like to hear!! Hawaii, you are off to a geat start!! You mods are impressive before break-in is complete. When you install that valve, you will have to lean it out some to compensate for the added pressure in the tank, but it will be well worth it. Take from the guy that discovered that fix, be patient and be sure you dont forget the low speed needle lean as well. Sounds like you will be very ready to beat the living snot out of it when you get it tuned properly...

Keep us all informed of your fun!!!!

My apologies, TRD for not giving you props for your wonderful find as well as all of your contributions to this forum. It's very comforting to know that we have someone with your cen experience to help out us cen "first timers". One question: about how much did your needle settings change (optimum tune w/o primer pump to optimum tune with primer pump)?

Well for my climate and elevation, my high speed turned approx 2 1/2- 3 turns and my low speed was more like 2 turns about flush maybe a touch in. But this is just my climate yours may be different. Just turn them in 1/8 increments until things stablize. Here is a pic of them right now:

Thanks, TRD, yeah, I wasn't planning on using your specs exactly , just wanted to get a ball park idea of how much of a change there is. Hawaii is a very humid climate, and right now we are in the low 90's. I will do small (1/8) increments, as you said and get to the "sweet spot" of performance and temp. I'm using Byron's 20% and (it has been my fuel of choice) and it seems to be working out very well with the GST. I'll let you know how it goes when I get the tune with the primer pump.

Good job Dano

Ever try simple green Mutt, it works !!

Boy do I know what you mean 5-0.Ive had my NEMESIS just over a week now,finished my second gallon today and as I said before,this thing is THE BULL OF THE WOODS ,point blank

LOL, nomobux! The reason that show was called that is because Hawaii is the 50th state. Useless information, I know.....

Derrick, congrats on your recent acqusition. If you have been having the same experience that I have, then I know you're having a hard time putting down the transmitter. Coincidently, the property next to mine is in the process of being cleared (virgin forest). I must say that has made for an excellent stomping grounds for this monster. Nothing gets in its way! The only trouble I have is keeping the gst from going airborne through the dozer tracks and rock hills. (insert evil laugh here)

Actually, I knew that tidbit. My uncle was married to a native Hawaiian. Got any pics of that bad boy ?

you could also remove the in tank filter i did and havent had any more issues. you could also try a different tank , i just bought one for the savage which has the same type of problem and so far it works . the tank is the tower terror tank its long but will fit but its only 180cc as opposed to 220.

Been trying for a week or so to catch one of my neighbors son out in their yard on his 5hp go kart[>:]Finally caught him out there today so I drained the after run oil and fueled up the NEMESIS.Went over there and spanked him for 10 laps around his go kart track[:-]He got mad,so did his parents and he jumped off and shut the go kart off until I left.Me and my bull went on our way with me grinning from ear to ear

LMAO That is one funny story!!! Derrick now you are truely understanding my joy with my Nemesis!!! Glad you had fun!! Thats what it's all about!!!

Good one ... lol

That has to be the best thing i've read in weeks. You spanked that little kid

Derrick, the look on that kids face must have been priceless, lol. Probably similar to the look when he found out that santa claus wasn't real.......
Nomobux, embarrasingly enough I don't have a good digital camera. That will change in the near future, however.
UPDATE: After running about two gallons through the gst, my initial opinion remains the same. I am very pleased with the durability and power of this truck. It does, however, have more adjustments to make than an entry level nitro like a t-maxx. I went through about a half gallon of fuel to dial in the shift points, but I now can distinctly hear TWO upshifts. With first being held a little longer, it makes for some wicked torque (wheelies without the diff locked). When I first started breaking in the truck, I wasn't getting third, and I'm pretty sure the 1-2 upshift was happening too early. Not anymore.
I also found out that with very little modification, aluminum savage shocks will fit the gst. I bought a set at a great price (used) form my LHS. They are purple anodized and perform great. I kinda had to get new shocks, because I blew out one of the stockers, lol. I guess the plastic threads weren't up to my level of abuse.
By the way, if anyone is thinking about getting jumbo kongs for your nemesis or gst, I strongly suggest thinking twice about it. I bought a set and the rims wheel hexes disintegrated with the torque of the gst (believe me, they were fastened properly)
One final thing. If anyone upgrades to the GPM aluminum parts, I found that notching the steering knuckles (inside) on the front spindles will give you insanely tight turning ability with the gst. As you can see, I really need to buy a digital camera so I can show you all the things I have done to it. This is by far the best nitro truck I have ever owned.

Me to.I have had MGT, SavageX,LST2 and a few knock-offs,and this NEMESIS is the absolute toughest MT in the industry in stock configuration[>:]