Hi rob, please install a block guard. It is not as much work as you think and it helps you a lot - also against blowby. Only bigger costs is the rebore. Regarding strenghtening plate - you for sure will know the english solution - one plate, which supports the connection main differential to gear box(walkers garage etc.) . A more important plate you can get from scara in italy. (
www.scara73.it, I think.) . These plate prevents the shafts from separating under high load. There you also can get an other gear set. Show it Barbz, he will know what I mean. Juergen, typed with my xperia x10