i believe i used some 3/8" steel for my plate. no problems with distortion or leaks to my knowledge, i know it took forever to cut a 3" hole in it with a hole saw. i ordered a mandrel bent pipe from summit for 43 bucks shipped i think, just cut it and welded it back together with the angles i needed, did it all by eye and side by side comparison to the stocker, didnt know where to get the required boost coupler at the time so i use an exhast adapter cocked in the 3" at an angle to take up the extra space and filled it with weld, i'll see about getting some pics

 

I used the stock intake block and just unbolted the 4 bolts that hold the grids in and replaced the bolts put a little silicone in there put them nut side out and used a lock washer and green locktight 60psi and 1 year later no probs yet! And if ya wait another month or so I will have a crossover tube and intercooler pipes on the market!