I thought you were happy the way it runs?
Are we talking about the tune still, spur tightness will have no effect on the tune.
In order to set up the slipper clutch, have a look at cars manual.
With traxxas anything under 300 is an achievement.
Sorry to hear about your frustration, you are in the exact same position I was, when I was starting with nitro.
My first nitro was a Rustler, for years I thought tuning was a science, until I got introduced to HPI and Kyosho, all of a sudden...
Typical Traxxas overheating issue and HIGH idle, just as I suspected. Fuel bubbling is most likely because engine running very very hot.
The fact that you have the head smoking like that confirms that.
This is quite bad for the engine and will shorten its lifespan significantly.
You should never...
If it works fine from full to half tank, then its not the idle. You could be lean on one of the needles.
Sounds you got the hang of tuning already, keep at it until it runs right.
Difficulties with tuning, get an OS 11k.
Traxxas engines are good, carb is not.
The trick when tuning the traxxas engine is to adjust the idle with LSN after idle screw has been backed out to its max.
There is no other way.
A video of the car running would be great.
Fact is, Traxxas nitros do not idle well at all, and idle high, which sounds like your issue. Their carb design is terrible.
If you would consider buying OS 11k carb and replacing that poopy plastic Traxxas one, it will make a big difference in the way...