I've never closed it while it was running, I've never tried anyways. I have closed it while it was off and I was looking down the carb though so I know it's not binding was what I meant.

Tried it a bit today. Feels like I'm getting closer but I think it's the fuel. I'm gonna try to get it to run on the rest of this traxxas top fuel and then switch to something else. I stand corrected, the idle speed screw is affecting the idle speed but it's very very minute. Also it will be seemingly running good and after a high speed pass I will bring it back and it will just die for no reason. Maybe the fuel causing it.

Prolly the only nitro I will ever buy. With as many issues as this thing has had it's too much a pita to just go out and have some fun. Wouldn't be bad if I could just get it dialed in and make a change here and there but this is just constantly having to play with the needles to keep it running. Maybe I picked a crappy starter truck and starter fuel but really electric is just so much easier. I like my 1/5 scale stuff and I've been eying a gas powered Losi DBXL or 5ive-T so I might venture into that territory at some point for my loud fuel powered RC fix.