You are correct. Having a pack with bullet connectors and then running a Deans is adding resistance how ever slight it may be. And pointless IMO. You only need one of what ever you choose. What I was saying is that the difference between the 2 ( Deans and Bullet) is as close to nothing as you can be. The wire comes off the cell, then terminates to either a deans, bullet, EC4, Tamyia, Traxxas or what ever connector you want. Just that an external connector has longer wires than an internal bullet.

Dakotah Phend has used the caged connectors his entire career and has never had an issue. He is arguably one of the top 5 US drivers and is currently doing VERY well at the Cactus Classic.

Just a fun fact for you. I still use the solid bullets regardless.

The bird cage bullet will wear and its contact with the port is looser, a bullet will do the same but you can visually see it. Both will create lots of heat and resistance or even arcing if left too long.

Phend probably swaps out his bird cages every weekend or whatever, a club racer won't. He is also using them is lower amp draw power setups in 1/10 buggies.

If I used a bird cage in my 4x SCT for too long I would have a hot mess of plastic in my lipo tray

If I remember correctly somewhere in the 22-4 thread. Dakota mentioned use of the "birdcages" he likes them because if they become loose you can spread them for more tension unlike the solids. Frank with Tekin has also mentioned this a time or two. IMO, anything will wear in time and need to be replaced but if you can adjust before things wear out; then why? It is probably to small of a variance in resistance to worry about solids or birdcages anyway. Point is one connecter inline at a time and not two if your worried about resistance.

Phend took TQ of round 1 in 4wd SCT at the Cactus Classic.

Yes, when both loosen you can open them back up, but metal has memory and it will soon go back to where it was. The solid bullets you can see it, the bird cage you have to feel it. By the time you feel it, its too loose.

In a high amp draw system it does matter, I have seen plastic cases start to melt by the port from the heat a newer bird cage created in a 4x SCT. Wasn't loose, just isn't made for that much power flowing. Lighter, lower powered buggy, they're fine when tight.

I let a solid bullet go for too long and melted the corner of a case, last time I did that. $2 set of fresh plugs every few months for me now.

But yeah, like both of you guys said, keeping plugs fresh is recommend and don't add extra joints in the wiring.

Right after he put fresh bird cages in Totally kidding

could someone explain what a bird cage is?

I recently purchased a 17.5. I noticed that the timing can be advanced well beyond the marks on the can. Is max timing the the last line on the can or the when the timing ring hits the bolt. Not wanting to take the chance of cooking the motor, I have it currently set on the last mark. Thanks

Timing comes preset to 26 degrees, it is adjustable all the way up to 60 degrees.

just ordered the square pack. Said add to cart. Hopefully there in stock.

I've been running these type connectors for years without a single issue.

Let me ask the question a different way. Where on the motor is 26° and 60°?
Is 60° the last timing mark or where the timing ring stops beyond the marks?

with a 17.5 u gonna want your timming about all the way up anyways u need all the power u can get with a 17.5 anyways ran the smc 7.5 in 2wh st last night motors are very nice my d3.5's a little stronger but 50 bucks a pop the smc is way more worth it.