I have the hpi mini recon, very simlilar to the rc18t or 18mt have all alluminum upgrades, lipo, and brushless. And would recomend the hpi savage flux xs. I have beat this since new and spent well over what it would cost to buy the savage.A friend andI bash together but\I always walk away with broken parts pissed. All the times we have beaten them he is still playing whileIi continue to repair or replace parts. Just got the steel diffs.....love em!!!! Again spend once and have fun,or keep building, become frustrated, and sell to buy another car!
if you continue with the 18 here is the link for the steel diff gear:
http://thetoyz.com/Associated/RC18B/...The-Toyz/9388/