Not to point out the obvious, but….. A lot of times it’s not so much what you say; but how you say it.. IE- “I’d like an EBIS, and dyno tune sir.”.. Problem(s) solved.
If I were to call, or email an engine guru who provides high end nitro race engine services, and tell him 73 reasons why I think my ONLY high end race engine is cursed, or defective; I can tell you that without ANY doubt-he will not want anything to do with that motor, or me as a customer.
OS Speed, and FX Royal Engines, are arguably THE most high quality, nitro race engines available. You’ve never owned one, let alone broken one in. Unfortunately, the fact that you can’t make it past “4-5 starts”, let alone the first idle tank tells the moral majority of us who have literal DECADES of experience breaking in uber tight nitro race engines, that it’s likely NOT the engine… I’m absolutely positive that’s not at all what you WANT to hear, but if you simply stood beside me and watched the process of what I go through to break one in; you’d understand that it’s VERY common for someone who’s never done it before to have the exact experience that you are having. Now I absolutely will agree that nobody has an absolutely spotless track record, and things can happen, but in this particular case, and with this particular engine; I seriously doubt that the engine is at fault. This is NOT a jab, nor any kind of “attack” on you-it’s just an explanation of my opinion on the situation.
I literally JUST helped a fella in your shoes EXACTLY-though he did have SOME nitro experience at least (20yrs ago), and he was having ALL the exact same issues as you are. He’s just bought his FIFTH OS Speed race engine in less than two months, and has been bitten by the nitro bug HARD since I helped him get sorted out. He’s also a member here. Once he became receptive to the possibility that he lacked the experience and know how, he began to learn. First tank… Second tank.. On the ground running, had problems again (AS EXPECTED, the tune is CONSTANTLY changing in a brand new engine with EXTREME mechanical pinch), trusted me, and was able to work through the problems together, became more proficient in tuning, and let go of the bad habits he was picking up solo, to now-he’s sending me videos of running all day long, and is even teaching HIS WIFE..
With the right attitude, and PATIENCE, anyone can succeed in nitro. I was a noob once too.