Gearing Setup Problems

[antonyb123]

Hi Guys

I am running a xray T1 with 17.5 HPI Flux Brushless motor.
I am finding that the guys I am racing with all manage to out do me when it comes to accelerating out of the corners, top end speed is fine. I am aware that reducing the pinion size will decrease the top end speed, but as I am currently only racing on a small track this is not a big issue
I am currently using a 88 spur gear, and a 24 pinion.
I exchanged the 24 pinion for a 19, but after I put it in and tried moving the belt the hole drive system was tight, to the point it felt like the belt would snap if I tried forcing it to move. So I tried a different pinion, 22, this worked to an extent. But it sounded like a bag of spanners when I was driving it and is by far no where near as smooth as when I was running the 24.
What am I doing wrong or have I got the gearing all wrong?
Or perhaps I am missing the basics points to gearing?

Any help would be appreciated
Cheers People
Antony