Beagle, head over to that site, look to the engine/exhaust threads. look for a thread labled The-Nibs 26cc Zen with ESP work and X-can on page 2. i have pics of what i did for these air vents.
no the stock gears are plastic. you ll probably want to ge the metal gear upgrade. its probably the ONLY really NEEDED upgrade.
heres a few pics too.
the grass catchers.
a pic with the vent holes on the underside of the motor covered.
hth
Timmahh