Thanks for jumping in Dave, appreciate it! In order:
1 - I'm not following you in this
2 - That one I recall on BP. Gotta call Chris' guys and order a set of these:
3 - Noticed that right away. I'm planning on a 2.5" exhaust anyway to keep the sound in the "I get along with my neighbors" range. Along with that, I'm thinking a heat shield riveted to the trunk floor should do the trick.