4 HOURS?!?!?! Your back has to be killing you after hunching over the fender that long.
I've done 4 LGT spark plug changes and I can do it in about 40-45 minutes.
I, too, Sean, am running stock struts, stock sways, and stock exhaust with H-techs... and I get the noise.
It isn't any aftermarket issue.... other than the car is lowered.... and making more power (Stg. 2.5)
Gear Wrench are pretty decent units... but what you really need are pass-through sockets.
My set is Armstrong... but Kobalt makes some and I think Craftsman have them out now...
Ummm... I don't know if I really want to do this... but here it goes....
Brushed aluminum pedals - ~$50
Momo shift knob - ~$50
Perrin TMIC - $600
AVO Wastegate actuator - $75
AVO Gauge pod - $90
First set of gauges (Ebay crap) - $115
Second set of gauges (Autometer) - $315
Center cubby pod - $50
Cobb AP - $650
Cobb Catted DP - $550
ERZ Up-pipe - $75
Muffler delete pipes - $75
H-tech Springs - $225
All weather mats - $75
Total... $1,800. Not too bad, I guess.....