The performance of a modified gasser wont come close to that of brushless. According to darksoul their 30cc full race mod engine is around 6 horse that's it....on 8s mike is talking about 8 horse and your forgetting about the huge weight reduction...a 21 pound buggy is now 15-16 pounds with super low CG when compared to the gasser all this means that performance is now on a level the gassers could not even dream of(no matter how much cash is thrown at it). As for the cost I will have to buy an expensive motor and esc but not the lipo's, I like alot of us have a couple of 4s packs already laying around plus chargers balancers and other associated equipment. Also in stock form (and this is what I'm told) the gas motor is a dog (2.5 horse)...ever watch the stockers on you tube...rubber band like exeleration for the first 15-20 feet. You can yank the muffler off or get a pipe ....now you have something that could wake the dead and it's still doggie! For brushless fanatics I highly recommend electric...for non electric lovers and beginners...stick with gas and you'll have a blast.