RE: Slowing down a tank...
I am scrambling to do the same thing.
I am looking for 8t pinion gears, the stock pinions are 10t.
They are cheap and will slow the tank and add torque.
BUT, they need to be metric pitch, which is hard to find. (0.6)
Oh, the other thing you need is a pinion puller.
I have one which you can borrow this weekend.