Well, my weekend sucked. Installed the Hotwire kit. It's pretty neat but didn't fix my problem. The kit still utilizes the circuit to some capacity. It's not exactly plug and play as you have to do some re-pinning (not to diffuclte, but just have to jack up car and get under trunk floor to access rear bulk, which stock huge mufflers make the job harder).
So I had the set up all wired in and wouldn't start. Replaced the fuel pump fuse and car started up. Few minutes later fuse blew again. Hot wire gets bulk of power from "alternator" to pump directly, but still needs the relay to be powered on by the OEM fuel pump "circuit".
Towing car to shop later tonight in hopes they can find what's the matter. I'm done.
As a side note, I got some 0 AWG wire laid down from the engine compartment to the trunk of the car (for future car stereo install). Whoot.
