I think just some Vogtlands or Eibachs wouldn't be too bad, those are barely over an inch drop...

On that recall, the dealerships like taking the engine cover and tossing it, along with the extension tube.

I would say headers and a tune would clean up that kr in a heartbeat, eBay SD headers are like $225 and there's a few guys near you that are wizards with a tuner, FFDP is one that I know of.

Hope to see more, sounds like you got a good plan already. Lol