XRAY - Model racing cars

I'm new to this forum but I've had my xt8 for three months now so I figured I'd write a review of my experience so far. First I would have to say that I really like this truggy. I have had some pretty rough runs and the truck has held up well but some things have come undone. While assemblying the truck originally I found that I had a large amount of play in the differential bosses. X-ray came to my aid and provided replacement parts. Early on I found that I had to modify the body posts by removing the nubs and adding a second set of screws thru the lower holes. Of course I could have prevented this by staying off my lid, but they are a bit flimsy either way.
Next I found that the e-clips had to go. I was gluing them but I still had an arm come out during a main. The I.S.S. parts offer more adjustment anyway. If you order these parts make sure to get the buggy bumper kit which includes the rear bumper. This is necessary for the gap left when you pull out the plastic rear toe. The next thing I modded was the clutch bell. I found that I was burning thru bearings because the supplied washers were too wide for the I.D. so I found an aftermarket kit for servos that had a great adapter which was turned down to a near pefect fit.
I then found that I was breaking the hardened washers in the shocks. This occured on the upstroke of the shock so I knew that I had adjusted my downstops correctly. The fix for me was by using non hardened washers from my work. I don't know who makes an easy to find alternative. Then I found that my wheels were rubbing due to the steering mod that I had done. Although I turned down the inner edges of the wheels to prevent too much rubbing I still had a break during a qualifying run. The fix was found when I borrowed a set of Mugen tie-rods from another racer. Later that week, I ordered a set and when I installed them I found that I only had to use the relief ball links and the 7mm ball studs. Now I have more than enough clearance.
Now I noticed that I have a pretty rough looking set of gears in the rear diff. I think I will have to order the aluminum rear brace and get a new set of gears for next year.
All things considered I think the truggy has held up well. Some things could be better but I know that my truck really gets beaten up due to my driving so I really can only blame myself. I guess I just wrote this to compile a list of all the issues that I have encountered in half a season of racing. So if you're looking at getting into a new xt8 be aware that like any other good race truggy out there, things will have to be adjusted and added on to. Being bullet-proof isn't always as easy as one would hope.
Thanks for viewing!

One last mod I forgot to add was that I made a set of mud flaps which cover the rear hinge points of the back shochs. I found that I was constantly cleaning mud out of the balls on the shocks and roll bars. I simplu cut a piece of lexan and used the original hole for the roll bar and added one more hole closer to the wheel. This works real well and should keep most of the dirt out of the shock mount.

Good review! I have about 5 gallons on mine and experienced some of the same things you did:

Body Posts - definately need the second screw in there

Shock Washers - broke 4 of them (fixed it by limiting the droop) - tried several different setups but was never completely happy..I found the answer now! (BB shocks!)

E Clips - I lost one during a qualifier and the pin came out...I had the ISS kit, but sent it back...I am ordering it again, as it is a must have (more tuning options as well)

Overall, a great truck! I think the only competition it has is the Mugen..the 8t is too squirrely and develops a LOT of slop - I know of 2 other local fast guys that have changed from the 8T to the xray and they love it (the ray!)