Stock erevo tranny is the same as the emaxx 3905 tranny, so its BL ready from the get-go.
It will accept the traxxas center diff, or a custom made one (there are a few examples lurking around here built using 1/8 diffs and longer output shafts).
Chassis is plastic, but solid- less prone to cracking like the metal chassis does around the motor mount area is you were to go with the nitro tranny.
Twin battery compartments ideal for 2s or 3s 5000mah lipos each side, or a pair of 4s ~4000mah in parrallel- do a bit of trimming, and you can fit any battery on either side of the chassis (just use a velcro strap to hold them in place).
Cleaner layout with a central motor and wide range of gearing options.
Personal preference really- convert or whatever...
would going with a center diff be worthwhile? I know you already said its a B!tch to tune, but what are the benefits? I understand that with the setup that I'm trying for, all the braking will be done by the motor...that's not a bad thing, but not very efficient braking either...I wonder how hard it would be to fab a disc brake up?