I also run a novak 13 tooth pinion. The novak pinions are really nice because they use a big gub screw that can be really tightened down without fear of stripping.
Does yours make a horrible grinding gear sound with the Novak pinion? Mine does! But if you swap it back out for a Losi or Robinson pinon, the noise is significantly reduced. The last race I ran my 8ight E at, had some people scratching their heads trying to figure out how something so fast and smooth, could sound so bad!
