[RC-Monster Mike]

With normal 1/8 buggy gearing, the 7L motor is on the hot side if you ask me. The 10L is the better choice for that application. 176F is pretty warm on the controller(near the thermal mark), which is likely due to the hot motor. Perhaps you are thermalling and the temp drop below the thermal mark by the time you get a temp on it. If the throttle stops working, it is most likely a thermal shutdown on the controller. Add a fan and drop a couple teeth on the pinion (or get a slower motor for this application). The steering servo sounds like it is bad, based on your statements. Doe sthe steering servo work well at first, or is it slow from the start of the run?