Just a general question for anyone driving a Maximum ST with the Torq .16. I've purchased a venom-racing on-board temp gauge and have found that my engine performs the best at around 260-270 - that's even with the water test still sizzling away the water in about 3-5 seconds and plenty of vapor trail. The manual states that you shouldn't go above 220 for risk of overheating. Even at 2 1/2 turns out on the high end it is hotter than that. Does that seem too low to anyone else? Also, 2 1/2 just doesn't let the car perform. If I have to drive that slow - why drive at all? What temperatures are any of you running on your ST?

With mine anything over 220 and it starts smoking and just shuts off. But it preforms best for me at about 210. Also what fuel are you using. I found with Trinity Monster Fuel. I need to run at about 3 1/4 - 4 turns out. But when I use Eliminator or Traxxas Top Fuel, it runs about about 2 1/5. But thats because of the oil difference in the fuel.

I am using Traxxas top fuel nitro 10%. I have been running mostly on grass lately - not too many dirt tracks around - which might be a little more work for the engine but I do think that running on dirt will help the stress load a bit. Do you suggest trying a new fuel to maybe bring it down.


So how do you like the ST? I'm having a blast driving it. Any problems that you have encountered?

I like to run 20% in mine. Yeah grass is hard on it because of the small tires. I really like mine. One thing I did was to cut out the windshield and around the motor. The only couple of problems I had was my own doing. I melted the slipper clutch first. Then a dog ran in front of it and busted the turn buckle and a arm. Finally I was running WOT and hit a bump and turned wrong. Did about 10 somersaults and landed on the front wheel. I busted the tie rod end. Other than that it took me a while to get the motor tuned in, but since then it has run really well. I can run a whole tank with no overheating and keep going. A couple of things you might want to try is cut the grass really short, get some ball bearings for the wheels. And if it keeps overheating cut some air holes in the body. The fuel you are using is fine. It is very oily and will give you good protection. Also try to richen it up a bit. It really does not matter how far out you go as long as its not bogging the engine down.

Well, I have two round holes in the front windshield, 1 in the driver's window, and one above the engine. Pretty good ventilation, I think. I have not tried to run it more than 6 tanks in a row without stopping to cool it down but I think it could go all day with careful monitoring. I do think it is a bit too hot though. I think I am nixing the grass for a while and only driving on dirt ( we have really lush thick grass.) Sounds like you have had similar crash experience, however mine was stupidity - rule one never let people drive your car. I think they forget how to turn or something. I let my dad try it - 30 seconds later he buried it going 30 + into the curb...bent chassis, snapped bulk head, bent steering bell crank, busted servo, busted receiver, busted suspension arm and one pin. MAN WAS THAT EXPENSIVE!!! Otherthan that, and the difficulty getting the tuning down it has been a great truck. Thanks for the tips. I think I just need to richen it up a bit and concentrate on the low end because I am driving in an area that doesn't really have long straights.

Good luck with the canines - they crash cars sometimes better trhan the humans do!

It sounds like you have it covered. I know what you mean about letting people drive it. I let my wife drive sometimes when I am running my Sportmaxx. I am on pins and needles looking at her drive LOL. That sounded like a nasty crash from your dad. Well have fun.

You might try richening the bottom end a small amount if your running around 270, that is a little bit on the HOT side, .12 to .15 engines shouldnt run more than like 230-250. Maybe try some higher percentage Nitro (20-25%) but not higher than that to give the power your looking for, maybe your running leaner to make up for the lower nitro %? If tuneing wont lower the temps maybe try air sealing up the engine, I had an ofna .25 that ran good only at 300deg. and have heard torq. engines are the same as force, they use the same backplate. Tuneing is the key.

Sounds about right. It does run "best" at close to 270 - which means I should be on the richer side of that at all times - which I religiously run at - I had just been confused from reading the manual. 220 just seemed so low. I went to my LHS and they had mentioned the same information you just provided - 230 - 250. That is the range I usually had been trying to run at. I will take the Nitro content advice and try some 15 or 20% to see if it will get me the extra low end power. Thanks for the advice. Helpful.