I've got all of the versions of the losi 8ights. (i just got my 5th one.)
and really all the parts between the 1.0 and 2.0 can be interchanged. even the longer rear drive shaft from the 2.0 fits on the 1.0.
the only reason i even got the 2.0 besides being curious about the handling differences was the same guy i always buy my kits or rollers from sold it brand new super cheap. i got it for $329 as a roller on ebay and threw the mmm combo in it.
i gotta say, the losi brushless system is very disappointing to me. very slow imo. that's why i use all MMM combos in my 8ights. if you can get a 2.0 nitro roller, imo it's better to convert than the 2.0-E.
There are some issues with the 8ight-e rollers out of the box. it seems as some of them come with the plastic spurs and they are too wide for the motor mount and create binding. Some people sand them down to fit, but if you opt for that make sure you do it evenly or the spur will wobble. the solution i used that has worked very well for me is to run the metal 45t spur part # LOSA3552.
the other issue is if you like to do high speed runs like i do, the stock mount will only accomodate about a 16T-17t pinion. my solution...get the RCM motor mount Mike offers. it's awsome. i can run a 25t pinion on that thing, no problem.
if you decide to go with a 1.0 roller, i had issues with blowing dime sized holes in my center diff cup so i got the aluminum diff cups from Nova rc. the new diff cups the 2.0 uses are just as good imo.(just another option.) that solves that problem.
Instead of buying the e-rollers, i got the nitro versions and converting them they way i think they work best. imo, it's cheaper too.
diff cup aluminum:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=390015827060
losi battery tray:(best option...they can accomodate HUGE batteries)
http://www.impaktrc.com/product_info...oducts_id=3195
motor brace:
http://www.impaktrc.com/product_info...oducts_id=3196
receiver servo box:(this is very un-necessary imo because the stock radio tray is identical except it accomodates 2 servos and the rec. pack. all you need to do is dremel 2 1/4" bars off the nitro tray holding the 2 together and it's identical. this will save you some money.
http://www.impaktrc.com/product_info...oducts_id=3194
battery straps:(again, very un-necessary because you can buy hook and loop velcro at any computer store for a third of the price.
http://www.impaktrc.com/product_info...oducts_id=3197
mike's motor mount:
http://www.rc-monster.com/proddetail...d=RCMLosiMount
TBR front and rear bumpers(a MUST imo if you wanna keep your chassis nice)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=350118024775
as far as handling, to be honest, i couldn't tell the difference in handling anywhere between the 1.0, the 1.0 pro roller or kit, the 2.0 rtr or the 2.0 pro roller. they all handle incredibly.
here's a few pics of a few of mine:
snip*
the new 2.0 build:
as far as the RC8, it's a great buggy. not as popular as the 8ights where i live, but it a good buggy. what i don't like about the rc8 is it's got a lower gear reduction which gives it more acceleration (which let's face it.. NONE of us need if you track race with the power of almost any brushless system) and less top speed when all other things are equal. this is why i opted for the 8ights.