... first of all, Iàm not in for a fight about these things ! Our buggy team`s very cloose to the distributor here. My only interest is in passing on good advise about the problem that these engines do have.

We have had 8 team-engines (Cobra X2 und Mamba X1) breaking down / blowing up with conrod problems, also some using the newer conrod.

We are very into break-in, in the car or in bench. We pre-heat, use higher content of oil, heatcycle and do not racetune before aprox. 1,5 -2 gallons. Conrods should be changed after break-in, because they all show wear. If you go on without doing so, we have bad experience passing 8 -10 liters.

Still after changing the rod, they will not run more than 2 - 3 gallons before they start "eating" the brushing.
The GO conrod seems to take the beating better !

When the Axe engines runs, they are great engines, - but still not quite up to the fuel economy of high-end race engines.

- all this, not to harm, but just inform about our experiences with the Axe.
kind regards JessK