A lot of info for you there fella, the only things i am going to add are practical and i have done myself, firstly bumper removal is easy for Gen 3's which imho are the best aftermarket intakes and won't suffer from heat loss, all it requires is patience a spanner + screwdriver and preferably a mate to help lift it off, but it can be done on your own cos i did it that way, if you look on the american forum there are detailed instructions of how to do the job, the only thing to be aware of is that if you undo the pedestrian bonnet safety system electrical connectors it will give a warning light on dash which will have to be reset at next service but doesn't affect car at all.
Hydraulic bonnet lifters can be done on UK 370's but it is a real difficult job, the kit comes from USA and on there forum it is doddle because they don't have the pedestrian bonnet safety system which is where they fit the strut mounting so you have to find a new place to bolt them and there isn't one ( i imported the struts in total ignorance of this ). Fortunately working for an engineering company i had access to the tools and equipment ( riv nuts ) to make new bonnet mountings a job not for the faint hearted.