tc3rookie.
unless your running at the highest pro level IMO you won't notice a difference with the coated shafts. as far as the caps...run the black plastic one's...even the sponsored racers are using them.
i'm about to post my shocks and some other tc3 parts in the forsale section if you are interested.
on carpet i've mostly run the barry baker trackside set-up and it's worked great. the only changes i've made to that set-up was to stiffen the suspension based on traction available.