Tex1, all good points. I've been running 1/8 scale long enough though to have that knowledge handy.
I didn't know about the center drive shaft, but I probably should have figured on that one. How about the drive cups? Do they stay relatively new and usually you are just replacing the shafts?
Also, does anyone have an answer to my clutch shoes questions? I hear the Losi clutch goes quickly and I hate replacing clutch shoes often.