It's weird, it seems to go faster in reverse...any ideas?

Have you tried resetting your speed control? Have to looked to see that it is getting full throttle in forward?

I remember reading somewhere (I think one18th.com) that the timing on the 280 motor is such that it runs faster in the direction that corresponds to "reverse" in the RC18T. Apparently some of these motors are designed for airplanes where they are timed to run faster in the clockwise direction.

how do I look to see if that it is going full throttle?