Went on my initial shakedown run this afternoon... pretty content with everything! The newly-soldered LiPo didn't blow up, I bound the FlySky on the patio, immediately realized I had channels switched - fixed that, then realized I had motor wires reversed, changed that. I then shoved everything in my backpack and walked out the door as daylight was a' wastin'! I didn't go to the park, not enough time - just went to the grassy area around my complex, it has a picnic table where I installed the battery back in the rig, set it down, and fired it up - it was not any faster - possibly even slower than stock (still using 2S, stock gearing, 550 21t HH motor).
So - something was up - switched to 3S - still unimpressive, about the same speed as 2S with the 35t stock 540. So - I increased throttle expo to 120%, it now hauled ass - but in reverse, same speed forwards - so I reversed the servo, swapped motor wires again - all was groovy! Drag brake causes front end dive, but not an actual forward flip - if I reverse a bit and then lay on the throttle the truck wheelies - even with brass knucks, a transverse 3S 3200mAh Lipo in a steel tray, and all electronics in front of front shock tower!
So, I wandered all around my complex, trying different things - sandy volleyball court, driving up curbs, slow donuts, testing the steering, then I got to where I at least found some loose rock over hardpack (instead of grass or sand) and did some medium climbs - not really steep enough to lose traction.
Anyway - I've not even touched the HobbyWing programming box or done any detailed radio setting changes - looking forward to tweaking it and driving more this weekend. Only problem I see is that now that everything is tightened up - the servo horn does grind against the draglink - so either it gets filed down or I try one of my other 3 aluminum servo horns