Nice keep us updated! I'm in the process of doing the install on my 68 Barracuda but a bad cold has cost me a full week. I'm converting my auto console to a manual console so I can't help with the shift boot dilemma.
Your kit cost about $700 less than mine did from SST. Did it come with the hydraulic clutch system, pedals and all? I basically got everything other than the shift boot and the driveshaft.
I also went with the BHS578 hoop and am glad I did so. It's not a perfect setup but it's better than nothing and is a direct bolt in part that doesn't require much cutting.
The SST floor template had me cut out a much smaller rectangular hole for the shifter and then had me cut cross slits into the tunnel up toward the firewall. I wound up only cutting about 2/3 of what the template called for and then realized I really could have just done about 1/3 of the cross cuts and been just fine.
Your floor hump sheet metal work looks fantastic! What motor are you going to run with it? Keep us updated on your progress.