[jhautz]

Yea, they way I understand it the Hyper 9 is using a 40T spur gear on the center diff. Makes it easier to get the diff that low for lining up with the 43T front/rear diffs.

A top plate ould take alot of the available "twist" out of the chassis. that twist is important for traction. Although, they do it in 1/10 so it would probably mean going thinner on the bottom chassis plate to get some of the flex back. I think the thicker single plate is probably thougher in the long run. For sure wouldnt want the electric 1/8 stuff to turn into big fragile 1/10 style cars. I acually think that this hyper 9 layout is the closest Ive seen to ideal so far.

The only reason I think they put the ESC up top like that was becasue they were using a gigantuous hobbywing esc and there just wasnt quite enough room down low on the main plate for that big sucker.