When you order the battery from Maxamps, be sure to go through the trouble of getting a password (membership) setup. It keeps tabs on what you spend and applies discounts when you log in. I'm up to a discount rate where in I ordered the 4S2P 8000mAh pack and I upgraded to the 12 gauge wire, with a deans plug installed, and the shipping came out to be about the same as the "regular" price for the pack.

BTW, the Exterminator was my first buggy. A lot of people laughed at it when I showed up at the track with it. I suppose it doesn't compare to a Mugen or Kyosho, but if you take the time to tune the suspension and set the diffs up, it will treat you right. I only went to the Sportwerks because that's what my LHS stocks parts for.

As for the gearing, I suppose a 14/46 will be a good place to start. I say that because that what I was running with my 7XL, but went down to a 12T to tame the top speed a bit. I think it would be about perfect for the 8XL.