I wish Good luck too you,on trying to keep moving forward.
I would cut out all of the hand made stuff.move the motor back to local AME started w/ then install a repo firewall & floor pan.Order up set of DSE sub frame conector's & soild body mount's.You dont need that kind of motor set back to make a 2nd gen handle well.Just work slow and think about every step you need to do.You can do it yourself.