No, the XB9 shocks really didn't make a huge difference. I'd run the 808 as stock as you can until it's worn enough to be replaced by a XB9.

I'm rocking 1.2x6 tapered pistons in all my Xray buggies. Sometimes 1.3x6 in the rear of a nitro electric conversion because they can be a little light in the rear.

Running full droop on the rear of the 808 helped me alot. I used Xb9 arms, shocks, and uprights, and hingepin mounts, to get the car dialed in.

But if you have adjustable rear hinge pin holders, you can have the same xb9 feel with out getting all those parts. I reduced rear toe about 0.5-1 degrees and reduced antisquat 0.5-1 degrees.

3 stripe Xray progressive springs rule.