Hey Bit...If you look at Medusa's website they mention that one of the specs provided assumes airflow.

"*Based on adequate air flow around motor, i.e., open air stream behind propeller"

So that caveat seems to be there to indicate that to some degree either performance or some operating limits can only be achieved under certain optimal conditions.

I think it is cool that the recognize the surface market and the conditions we put our r/c's through. As long as my temps stay within reason, I'm sure my motor will last longer if I take measures to prevent dust and debris from entering the can

My Medusa was cool as ice yesterday and all I was doing is major wheel spin and it was wide open within a second of my pulling the trigger. My buddy Brian's VXL was quite a bit warmer. Same battery packs exactly we were running and similar gearing.

...thanks DarkWav...Yeah i will concentrate a little more on 'around' as opposed to 'through'...