Hi Todd,
I just noticed your pic showing the throw-out bearing pilot shaft in it's stock length. Hopefully, if you're not going to use a spacer it's going to have to be trimmed 1-1/4 to 1-3/8". I have a picture (#57) in my webshots "Shoebox album" that shows the bearing pilot after trimming and some things I learned about getting the clutch pack to function flawlessly. I took the time to document the process so others won't have to do the R&D. I hope it helps with your modifications and install.
To trim the pilot bearing retainer shaft, you want to remove it (4 bolts) from the transmission. There is a little seal that needs to be cleaned of cutting debris after the pilot shaft is cut. If you use an air cutoff tool you'll contaminate this seal and can have gear oil residue on the input shaft.
BTW...my T5 has been on the road for 16 months and is driven every day, so this is not an opinion....but a fact.
Dave
