Hi Rémi,
State machine r2 has the same valve driver as the valve driver module. You'd connect valves to the 'Valve' screw terminals on the port interface board, and connect the valve power supply to the state machine's barrel jack (we supply a 12V, 1.5A wall adapter with each state machine).
Regarding the photogate components, despite the EOL notice the parts seem to be perpetually available from Online Components, here and here.
I had designed new versions of the port and lickometer based on a "new" set of parts - but they went EOL within a year so we never brought them to market.
The parts you referenced aren't "side looking" - the leads come straight out of the bottom, so you'd have to bend the leads at a sharp angle (not good for the part's long term reliability) or significantly widen the ports to make them fit.
We are watching the parts market closely, and we'll transition to the next reasonable part that fits the bill.
-Josh
