HB Lightning Pro 2 Conversion

[mpetrich]

Hi you guys,
I am in the process of converting a HB Lightning Pro 2 to an electric BL.
Here is a pic of the center spur gear and the brakes. Do I need to keep the brake plates? Can I just take them off? I don't really know anything about 1/8th scale buggies. I have not taken the center diff apart yet but Mike is making me an adaptor to be able to use a plastic spur gear. If I take the brake plates off, I will also have more room for the motor mount. Thanks for any help/advice you guys can provide.
Matt