Nice wheels mate
On the intake manifold issue you could have taken out the shaft from the original manifold and solved the problem for free (see image)...
s11.postimg.org/gm0eea2cz/20140616_082230.jpg
Thanks mate.
Yes i know the shaft can be removed but didn't want to go down that route, the flaps provide low down torque and are fitted for that reason, so didn't want to not have them, cheers though