Now I only go by what I have read on here, but this wouldn't happen to be the same VP fuel that people on here have been saying there's been bad batches of which have ruined their engines....?

If so, then I don't think other people should be recommending it for use..

I dont think so, I did a bit of a search and couldn't find any bad reports on it. I do recall some talk about their old blend some years ago, the fuel that was clear.

I ran the vp before the importer decided to order it with more oil, that's when I switched to the nitrotane as it's the same mix as the normal vp (30%, 9% oil)

This thread is only two months ago:
http://www.rctech.net/forum/offroad-...el-issues.html

It's only a couple of pages down on the forums here.

I will never ever run some weird fuel again. Byron's, Odonnel or Sidewinder that's it. I've destroyed too many engines bc I was trying yo save some money, ended up costing more after having to replace engines. No one will convince me otherwise, unless they are supplying me the engines and fuel.

I am planning to buy a Keep off 4 port for my next season. Are any special tools required for maintenance on the engine specifically bearing. I have the Hudy one.

Also I am moving from P5XLT. So is there anything I must know or is this regular Nova stuff? Thanks in advance for the help.

Not sure but I believe the same inserts on the Hudy tool as the p5 they were for the BTTA. IMO the 4port is a little tougher to tune but worth it for the 10min runs which are important in todays races. Also make sure your not too rich on the top cause it will cause in of the straight/coming off wot flame outs especially when less than 2gallons thru it. Other than that good break-in and keeping an eye on the bearings you should be fine! I run a HES Fusion X5Lfm its a 5port that has a lot of the btt internals and can get 10 mins with Houstons love or I would be running a 4 port also. Good Luck!

Yeah I stay away from VP after my fresh case of fuel in the summer cause I had two rear bearings go out from less than a 1/2 gallon of the case sold a gal when I got it (before I knew it was bad) his brand new keep-off rear bearing did exact samething as mine started getting noisy and having clutch problems from crank wobble luckily I found the issue before they came apart replaced bearings + fuel got Byrons 30/9. Almost cost me $1000 but did cost $200 to fix both and I have ran them ever since winning races and not a single issue since switching to Byrons. I can say all companys make mistakes and I ran VP for a year without any failures but just didn't seem as smooth running and had a lean bog zone that was tough to get right tune for 10min runs. Anyway I am not bashing VP but I have seen all I need to keep me away and tune was sooo different had to lean my needles a ton when I switched so better mileage with same power! Get the 30/11 I would have but we went in as a Club to get a deal and have it made right before shipping and a lot of guys run OS or another Chinese mill so us Nova guys had to run the 9% cause that's what most wanted. Also I believe using a couple drops of lube booster(pure castor) for after run oil is OK and shouldn't swell silicone.

Would speed blend from odonnells be better?

yes

add 1oz of castor oil

Where can I get some good castor oil?

Is bc-175 benol from klotz any good?

If I needed to get a new sleeve, would i need to get a new piston/rod as well so its a clean fit?

Yes, but I would do break in on the old rod, then replace the rod with a new one.

Honestly by the time you get a new piston sleeve etc best just to grab a new engine the p5 is about $200 bucks awesome in buggy and truggy!

You can't get a sleeve without a piston. I would hit up E-bay, Jenny's R/C. They part out plus 4 BTTA's. I broke a backplate screw in my case last summer and got a new case with both front and rear bearings for $55. I'm sure you will pay some shipping to get it to Sydney, but well worth the look.