For me leave it as is and just improve the body, as it is so out of date with style and function, thicker diff o-rings and shock o-rings, and any upgrades that are in the works that XRAY HAVE SET TO DO.
As for everything else i find no problems with the current XT8, it is the same weight as a MBX6T, well mine is as i leave it with all stock plastics except for the tow plates, they are upgraded, i didn't find the need to update any other part of the XT8. I have a club one ( the one mentioned is only used at title meets ) that has the upgrades and there really isn't that much difference in the car, leaving it stocks gives it the right amount of flex in the right area's and i have had zero breakages, and i've had the o8 and o9 version's, just common wear in the arms that eventually need replacing, but that is the same with any other car out there.
I drove the LOSI for 3 mths ( last year as the dealer at that time in australia made it hard to get the parts required at any time), and gave the LOSI 8T2.0 THE FLICK, as i didn't like any of it, especially the rear diff problems, ( MY CLUB TRUGGY HAS GOT THE SAME DIFF CENTRES AS I HAD IN THE FIRST ONE I BOUGHT IN 08, NOW THAT SAYS ALOT FOR THIS TRUGGY AND IT'S LONGEVITY ), I WENT THROUGH 12 REAR DIFFS IN THE LOSI
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So as for this side i prefer to leave as is, it leaves me with a smile on my face after every meeting i do
CHEERS WILL