Jason, take a deeeeeep breath!
If this is your first attempt at a major overhaul, hang on. It'll probably get worst before it get's better. Nothing goes as planned....the correct parts never come on the first shipment....nothing fits. This is the hobby. You have to WANT to get involved in order to get results. This is a relationship; either work with it, or break it off before it get's messy.
And just to prove I know of what I speak, use the search feature in the tool bar and do a search for any post titled CUDA CAPERS posted by me. I went through 3 solid years of fluctuating between "I love my car" to "I'm going to set the %$#@#$% garage on fire and walk away..."
Welcome to the club. 8)