[jhautz]

IMO. The L will be enough motor, but the XL will run cooler and have a little more kick to it, so XL gets my vote. I would also say that the XL would be a better chioce to run with the Mamba Max also. I have found that the MM runs better with a 2 pole motor than it does with a 4 pole motor like the Neu. Castle is working on an update for the MM to fix that, but for now I still think the XL will be a better match.

As far as the mechanical brakes go, I think you are wasting your time. Real estate is preciuos on a buggy chassis and your buggy will not be that heavy relative to a MT and I dont hear of people having issues with the motor braking on the 11 lb revos and maxxs. So your 8.5 lb buggy should be no problem.