i have had many engines ranging from .12 to .30 in all different brands like os to dynamite and stock hpi and traxxas with that being known i guess everybody says a motor should run typically at 230 to 260 range (which i think should be normal)but for the life of me i cant keep a motor running top notch under 285 (thats without stalling or bogging)when i try to stay in the range of 230 to 260 its so sluggish and non responsive its not even funny thats with 20% fuel and new fuel lines and no air leaks (i promise i checked)i guess i was wondering if anyone else has this problem or should i bump up the nitro % in my fuel thanks

Dont tune to temp but to performance. Tune it so it doesn't bog and has a thin layer of smoke coming out the pipe. Who knows maybe your temp gauge is a few degrees off you never know.

i keep my temps around 280. but like snowboard said tune to performance not temp, the temp gauge is only there to check and be sure its not over 310. if it is shut the motor off till the temp is 200 and bash some more

whenever i do run my truck i always tune too performance and sound i always make sure i have a trail of smoke i guess i was just being nit picky about the temp.i have two temp gauges one on board (dx3s)and one hand held and there pretty close to eachother (within a couple degrees)but both read anywheres from 280 to 315 when i have the nice trail of smoke and very good performance i guess i will have to eye witness somebody run there truck with good performance and maintain a 230 temp and get some tips from him (i guess just to believe it can be done)

I agree with SnowBoard and BigBlock. You should tune for performance. I mainly use my temp sensor or temp gun during the break-in process. I occasionally use it as a refernece point to see if I am able to lean out the engine a little more for more perfomance according to ambient temps and track conditions.