Yea i had to do the same with my front knuckles but a soldering iron sorted that out quickly ^^ As for the clucth make sure when you come to buy parts make sure your on the right page :P heres the first page of parts for our smartechs: http://www.excelhobby.com/excel_hobby_024.htm

Another way to get there is:
www.excelhobby.com -> Cars & Truck Parts (left menu) -> 10341 & 10342 & 10343 (bottom of page)

As for engine mods, they can be expensive so the best thing to do is update your electrics (as your 1st mod) from the stock smartech ones to acoms (good and cheap) 1st of all, buy a failsafe - £10-15, then new servos and your done with the electrics :P (new servos, £15 for a good servo each)

Ryan.