I have the 8.0. Actually I have just about every 1/8 scale truck made. The 8.0 has more torque than I have ever seen in a mt. Its a good truck and very tough. The motor is real easy to tune and it has the Thunder Tiger quality so it will last for a really long time. Only weak spots are the stock bumpers. You will want to change the bumpers to the older 4.6 style bumpers. Have you looked at the mgt 3.0? I prefer the Aftershock over the 8.0. The 8.0 is very clumsy. It rolls very easy. If you get the Xl all you need to do is pull the motor and sell it on ebay. Then purchase a LRp to drop in. The LST2 is the perfect all around package.