XRAY - Model racing cars

Ok, this last weekend I was having a good run with my XT8, and at about the 22 minute mark of a 30 minute main, my clutch bearings blew up! It mangled up my clutch bell and spur gear. My problem is that the bearings for the stock XT8 clutch bell aren't cutt'n it. I much prefer the 808 larger bearing clutch bells. but the stock xt8 clutch bell is a 14 tooth with a 48 tooth spur gear.
I want to use an 808 clutch bell, but the smallest one they have is a 15 tooth, and my understanding is if I go up one tooth on the clutch bell, I'm gonna lose some of my torque. My question is, can I go from a 48 tooth spur, down to a 47 and not loose any torque?

also, anyone who uses the 808 clutch bell on an XT8 can chime in here and answer, or tell me what they have done.

Going down on the spur is like going up on the pinion so will loose acceleration but gain top end speed. I would advice on a good quality bearing & stay with 14 t clutch.

Bren

wouldn't going down on the spur create more torque because your topping out faster? and going up a tooth on the spur would take away torque, but your top speed would be higher?

I'm thinking that by going down 1 tooth on the spur, and going up 1 tooth on the clutch bell, I'll ultimatly be the same? or what?

I also hate having to carry around different bearings for different clutches, I'd like to unify both of my clutch systems for both buggy and truggy.

For me the smaller bearings somehow last longer. I get well than over two hours on a set of XT8 clutch bearings.
On the 808 I use a 15T with the smaller bearings.

when i use the smaller bearings i buy cheap ones and change them before finals . its not expensive about a dollar each and you can get them from avid mail order in bulk . i dont think i have ever had a bearing ruin a race . (just my thumbs)

that's what I've been doing. replacing the clutch bearings before each weekend. and also befor any main over 30 minutes. My 808 clutch, I can get alot more mileage on the larger bearings, that's what I wanted to replicate in my XT8

how much end float do you have in the clutch bell ..and how tight is your gear mesh