I'm sorry if I didn't really search through the forum but here's my question anyway. I have an older HPI Baja Bug. First let me state the problem. I charge my batteries to full charge. I can put the cheapo radio shack battery in and it runs great for as long as the old battery will alow. 15-20 minutes. I have another Nicd battery that is a venom. I get about 1 1/2 minutes from a full charge with that one. It is a new battery so the memory affect hasn't kicked in as I discharbe it completely before a recharge. I have two NiMH batteries that seem to run it ok but not for long and these are brand new also. The problem is that everything is getting extremely hot and I have even melted the shrink wrap on the batteries. Bare with me as I try to get all the details to the best of my knowledge. I put a new motor in it since I burned up the original. It is a Venom Fireball 15d. I have read where these motors are not that good but there are a few that say they are fine. I'm going to assume, for the sake of this question, that mine is an ok one. What I need to know is if I may have a bad ESC or is there something else perhaps? The ESC I have now is a Tekin Rebel. I have been to the hobby shop many times but to no avail as of yet. I even changed the gear ratio on the transmission. For the most part I have done all I can with what little knowledge I have about this hobby and now since the hobby shop doesn't seem to have an answer I though I might as well look to the all powerful internet and maybe get some ideas. Please be simple with your replies simply because I'm a newbie! Thanks in advance for any help you can give. I can answer anything to the best of my ability if I have left any details out.