Clean and simple AKU 3.5 for the Sprint Apache

[induscreed]

Hello everyone. I am noob and have just bought a used Apache from ebay. I absolutely love the phone specially after installing the "JEFF SPEED DEMON ROM" ( Clean and simple) I do have a question for all you gurus. The Unit I got is a real battery hog. The guy I bought it from said it was an old battery so I bought a new one. But both batteries give me about 1 hr of talk time from fully charged to 10%. The phone is okay in every mode except when I make or receive calls. The phone during calls gets hot quickly and each 5-10 minute call eats anywhere from 10-30% battery.
Do you think its defective?
I also remember reading somewhere that the 2.2 rom caused the battery life to go way down.

Please advise. Also would like to know if reducing clocking speed will help.

I am a power phone user and because of work have at least 10-15 calls a day and can not go on like this.

Any advise and help is much appreciated.