Well... Bracket fabricated and installed...
The shakedown drive taught me a few things:
1- It always takes WAY TOO long to warm up the car when you want want it to get hot!
2- Under repeated 1st-2nd gear pulls we had NO problem with the IC lifting or the up pipe dropping!
3- The help from knowledgeable new friends is indispensable!
Pelicans, thank you all VERY VERY much!
Here's to hoping that the issue stays resolved!
-Sean