Lose the mechanical brakes.
Get this servo...
http://www.impaktrc.com/product_info...roducts_id=317
So whats it take to go brushless?...
$400 for a motor and controller (in between price, you could go alot more or less.)
$95 for the motor mount, clutch, gears, etc. Stock tranny
$70 single servo
$15 FOC
... Then batteries... Thats another $400+ (lipos)