Wait, the chassis shroud would cause overheating, seriously? How? I was going to get the Dusty Motors cover. As far as I can see, its totally preforated all over, how could that cause issues?

I have seen quite alot of strong Tekno reviews, including the ET48.3 as a few of them. However, I honestly dont blame XRay for their old design. I mean Ive always stuck to the term "if it ain't broke, then dont fix it" right? If its the ultimate platform then having Tessmann just update bits and pieces was probably the right way to go.
Such a hard decision between these two...

I mean so you have the ET48.3 which is far more popular and handles absolutely PERFECTLY according to most owners. However, then you have the XT8E, which seems to be even more premium, with lots of insanely nice graphite parts, and with the updates from Tessmann I have no doubts that it is even lighter and stronger now.

As far as pricing goes, yes the XT8E is more expensive, but at the price point that you are spending to get either of these truggies, plus what you have to spend to complete them, really negates the price difference. It just isnt noticable at this tier.

The one big advantage to the Tekno is parts support. As far as I can see the XT8E has NO aftermarket parts support AT ALL. I cant seem to find a single aluminum hop-up for this thing anywhere.

I would like just a few basic aluminum upgrades for my truggy. Just the most important things that seem to cause the most damage when they fail. Things like Differential cases (I cant tell you how many times I have overheated diffs and melted them, causing the planetary gears so sit incorrectly and then get "crunchy". I would also like aluminum steering knuckles and carrier hubs. Those things seem to break all the time. I think I have seen all of these parts available for the ET48.3 if I remember correctly...

The shroud will cause over heating because the electronics wont be able to cool effectively.

The reason Xray didnt update it is simple, Europe doesnt have a truggy following, so its been neglected. Its only been updated because of Tessman.

The Tekno is a tank and doesnt need upgrades. Metal cases are over rated, they just add extra rotating mass. If youre melting cases, thats because the car is open diffing too much, bearing maintenance is lacking and also incorrect oil. Too much load on the diffs.
The Tekno trucks dont fail, theyre extremely robust and strong out of the box. The only things i would do is ditch the shock cap bushings and use fuel tube, also use the delrin shock guides and longer shock perches. Apart from that the Tekno doesnt need anything. The alloy hubs and c hubs arent needed. Tekno plastic is amazing, dont forget Tekno started off as a conversion brand for bashers, and then developed race kits... Cant speak for the new xray, but i had the older one, and it was a very dated design, the new one has been refined, but the Tekno is a stand out truck for a reason. But Xray and Tekno dont require after market parts support, 2 of the toughest and nicest kits ive built have been Xray and Tekno. Xray plastic and build quality is second to none, but the Tekno was a very nice build and an extremely strong kit.

I honestly cant see how the Dusty Motors shroud would inhibit cooling at all, let alone by an amount enough to cause issues with the electronics. I mean it is perforated all over the entire thing (tiny holes all over) to allow breathing of air to the electronics. I mean look at their universal cover here: Universal Shroud Cover | Dusty Motors It is clearly perforated and designed to allow the electronics to breath just fine. I would definitely never use one of those solid body shell-type covers of that's what you mean.

I'm not sure if it is the additional weight of a truggy as apposed to a buggy in the rear end, but I tend to diff out a lot, even with the rear suspension raised and having a "rake" stance for the truggy. The only real solution I have found that doesn't require upgrading diff cases is to run heavier weight oil in the center diff (20k-30k roughly). This, however, tends to spoil handling quite a bit on a track and my lap times usually suffer quite a bit. I have been racing in the desert of Utah though, on very light dust and sand that is extremely slippery, and I will be living in Seattle soon so perhaps the problem will stop.

I don't doubt for even a second that either one of these truggies is anything less than extremely tough, but in my experience with my old Serpent Cobra, its a good idea to choose a vehicle that at least has aluminum options, should you need to upgrade later on. I think I have just decided to go with the ET48.3 over the XT8E, though.

"the running stints the shroud can be unzipped to allow ESC and motor to cool quicker", there is a reason racers dont use them. They cause heat to stay trapped, and also gets in the way if you need to rip battery leads off quickly due to a melt down... they arent needed on the track at any point. each to their own though.

That would very much be the case, you dont need alloy cases. It will be due to conditions. A track is not loose sand, so you want have the same issues.

Race grade gear generally doesnt need all the extra alloy bling that bashers need. Its added weight, cost removes a failure point if required. Everything requires a weak point to prevent a more expensive failure. Hence why you dont run alloy arms, as it transfers shock as opposed to absorbs. Best option is to get the kit, keep it stock, and see what you actually need after racing it. If youre going the Tekno, fuel tubing (ditch the stock ones, and dont bother with the m2c ones), delrin shock cartridge set and updated spring perches.

With the Tekno and Xray gear, theyre known for their durability and ability to take a beating and keep going. And thats box stock.

Thanks for all the advice, yea it seems like on a track the shroud just wont be worth it, but I will definitely be getting one for my planned Axial Yeti XL basher.

You know, I can't believe I made this oversight: There is a kit available that gives me every single thing I want - from solid A-Arms to aluminum hubs and nuckles to carbon fiber shock towers and top plates. I completely overlooked the Hot Bodies E817T kit. Its the most premium kit out there, dwarfing the XRay and the Tekno. It just seems so much nicer than everything else, and according to those who have used it, durability is very nearly identical to the Tekno, being referred to as a "very close 2nd place". This may just be the kit for me. Any thoughts on this kit?

I mean, Tessmann drove its little brother, the E817 buggy for years, and the heritage in racing clearly shows. It really does seem to be the best of the best.

I would get a Tekno over a HB every day of the week. The ET48.3 and Nt48.3 doesnt get top spot as a truggy for no reason at all. Its all personal choice, i personally dont like the look or feel of HB kits. Its not as durable, wears out quicker and isnt as tough, just because it has those carbon and alloy bits, doesnt make it more premium, it just means it needs them from the box, as they couldn't get the plastic ones to work without breakage. They tried to copy the Tekno truck tbh. If you look at both kits side by side. Hb did the same with their ebuggy. The motor mount is also a big thumbs down for me. In all my time of running a Tekno, i never broke a hub nor snapped/broke a plastic part, Ever. Hb plastic is alot more brittle than Tekno from what ive seen. Upto you. Need to pick what you want. Personally if i was getting a truck i would get a Tekno, even though im back to running an Xray ebuggy.

Kyosho, Mugen and Xray hold the top spots for premium kits for a reason. Tekno is an awesome kit also. But for feel, build and quality, those 3 kits i first listed cant be beaten for premium. But what makes a kit premium isnt just what comes in the kit, what alloy parts, carbon and plastic etc. Its how the kit comes together and how it feels, build quality, parts quality, the manual, how well its structured and written, how easy the manual is to understand and follow, all the parts being there, in the correct bags and labled, the little touches like each individual bag having a slip with who packed each bag (xray). A high gloss manual that is a piece of art in its self, a certificate from the company where the kit was produced etc. Its not just the big ticket items, but also the little, finer things that make up whether a kit is premium. Download a HB manual, an Xray manual and a Tekno manual. Have a look through them and you will see alot of big differences from the Xray and Tekno manuals to the HB manual.

There is a following of HB in the larger rc community in my state (purely because of sponsorship from a particular hobbyshop). But the one local driver who did have one, quickly changed to xray after less than a season of running a HB nitro buggy...

But as i said, upto you. You woule be best off looking at each kit in hand, as it seems youre quite unsure as to what youre wanting and go from there. Saves you spending big money on a new kit, to end up wanting the other one you were looking at.

Which race truggy is currently the best choice?

Tekno ET48 Thread

Yea it does seem like everyone wants to get the Tekno in that thread. Definitely a cult following for that truck lol. That does push me further towards the Tekno.

Naw, Im sure just like any over 1/8 Truggy the E817T was fine on plastic hubs. I honestly think they sell it that way because if you research Tessmann's old E817 setup, he actually had aluminum hubs on his buggy.

In fact, I cant seem to even find a difference between his buggy and the kit. Im sure internal things were changed by him, and probably lightweight driveshafts/ect. but honestly on the surface it seem that HPI straight up took his buggy and make a blank copy of it and then put it on sale, only leaving the precise details to be kept as secrets... I have to say, I really, really like that. Plus the carbon parts help lighten it up quite a bit I am sure. Shock towers are some of the biggest, heaviest parts on any RC vehicle.

The only doubt I have with the HB kit is the fact that while the Buggy has been proven forever, the Truggy is still basically brand new, and hasn't proven itself at all. I mean you would think that longer A-arms, slightly longer chassis, and bigger suspension wouldn't really change the fundamental character of the vehicle, but you never know...

Unfortunately I will probably never get to hold or drive either of them before purchase. I dont even know anyone running 1/8th scale at all. Everyone at my local track runs 1/10th buggies, or at least for the most part.

So unfortunately no matter what I do, Im going in blind. But one thing is for sure: Losi, Team AE, XRay, and all the other truggies are out of the running for me. Now its only between the Tekno ET48.3 and the Hot Bodies E817T.

Thats because the HB retail and team kits are one and the same. The buggies also have alloy hubs etc. HB makes the kits as per their leading drivers instructions etc.

Theres a reason behind that. Top truck on the market for a reason.

So you won't be racing it? Or where youre moving to you will be able to? As its alot of money to outlay if its only going to sit on the shelf.

It will definitely be raced, and be raced quite alot, as in probably weekly. The fact is though, I am doing research quite early. I cannot afford this hobby quite yet and plan to move to Seattle at the end of March (or as soon as it is warm enough to be safe to travel long distance in my Volkswagen GTI). I HATE Utah, after living here for 2.5 years I can honestly say all the rumors and prejudices against this place are absolutely true lol.

Once I find work in Seattle and settle down, THEN I will be getting back into the hobby. There is a decent chance that with the cost of moving and time to re-establish myself, that purchasing a kit may not occur until late summer or early autumn. By then there is a decent chance that Tekin has won the debate, as since the EB48.4 is already released which means the 4th revision of the Truggy may be released by the time I am ready to make a decision.

sorry man i didn't see your reply. i love the xray truggy ! having bashed a tekno buggy, i can even say that for some hard bashing the xray is tougher ! but i don't race so i can't compair their racing qualities