My T-Maxx is alive....

[mcvickj]

Last night was the first night I have actually ran my T-Maxx since I bought it in late November and all I can say is wow. There is something about being able to drive your nitro any where you dang well please. Unlike my TC where I can only run on a smooth surface. The previous owner had the engine tuned for the most part. I just needed to do some minor adjustments. However I have a few questions.

When I went to a full throttle from a dead stop it would kinda shake back and forth. Almost like something was slipping. It wasn't the engine. It would only do this from a dead stop. Also sometimes it wouldn't do that. Going in reverse from a dead stop was fine. After running it I noticed that the spur gear is slightly warped. Could this be my problem? I was also thinking that the mesh between the spur gear and clutch bell might be set incorrectly.

When I was running this around the yard in the grass the engine sounded kind of boggy for a few minutes then the engine would pick up and I would be going WOT. Does this sound right?

Here are some pictures of the beast. http://www.jrmcvicker.com/tmaxx.htm

What hopups would you recommend? I was thinking about some new shocks. I was also thinking about putting in the FOC. From reading other posts it seems that installing the FOC breaths new life and more power into the Maxx.

I also have some RPM skid plates on my list, a new air filter, and a new steering servo.

I plan on going with the HiTec. I just need to do a search on the boards for the specific model. I can see now why everyone changes this servo right away. It steers like a semi! I need to take turns so wide. I would imagine that the HiTec will greatly improve steering response.

Any recommendations on a TRS or a failsafe? Or are these pointless for an off road vehicle?

I can't wait to go up to my grandma's place this weekend. She lives out in the middle of no where. Plenty of dirt and jumps.

All of this fun calls for a dancing

 

[Candyman]

Congrats on getting up and running.

First, do you mean when you hit the throttle the truck kinda jerks? If so, that's normal. There are internal clutches in the tranny that buck a little when they engage. Converting to Forward Only will remove these pieces and that will stop.

If the engine bogs a bit and then picks up, you may want to lean the HSN just a touch and see if it helps. Sounds like the engine is loading up a bit.

As far as hop-ups, you have a ton to choose from. For general performance, I would start with the basics. Motor Saver air filter. Fuel filter. And then go wild. RPM skids are nice. I put beefier springs on my shocks. The FOC is cool. I'm just getting used to mine.

I also replaced my steering servo. I used a Hitec 605MG. It's a fairly high torque servo. But most people go with the 645MG or the 5645MG digital version. These seems to be very reliable and very strong. And will help your steering a lot.

And I say get a failsafe. But not the XTM. I have the XTM and it glitches like made in my Maxx. Oddly, it works fine in my GT. But definitely get one. I had a runaway last summer and it's a frightening experience. It's worth the $40 to install one.

 

[mcvickj]

Yes I would say jerking is a better way to describe it. I wasn't really sure what it was doing so it was kinda hard to describe.

 

[FastEddy]

The jerking is normal. Once you drive for a while and the truck brakes in a bit more it wont be as bad.

You may want to reconsider running on grass and find some dirt or pavement. Grass has a lot of resistance and can tear up the engine and drive-train in a hurry. You may also want to refrain from running WOT wide open throttle for more than 1-2 seconds at a time. This will also decrease your engine life from heat.

Now that I took all the fun out of driving, go have some fun.

 

[big kal]

If you install a FOC the jerking will go away. Go for the Traxxass FOC it's only $11. That's if you don't want reverse.

Don't run your Maxx on thick grass, there's too much of a load on your drivetrain and motor. If you want to run grass, I would recommend golf course type of grass.

A failsafe and a TRS is a good investment. I use a Venom failsafe in my buggy and T-Maxx. I haven't had any problems. Hope this helps.