RE: new parts for 1st generation vegas
Like Dan said, I am pretty sure you would need to either change the stuffing tube, or at least make some sort of an adapter. I think the struts have different size holes in them, so there would be some slop around the Ver 1 stuffing tube when it is put in the new strut. If you went the adapter route, you would have to run without a liner for the new cable to fit in the old stuffing tube.
Someone had mentioned heating up the old tube to get it out of the boat. They said it was pretty easy to get out after heating. Does not sound like a hard mod.
As to the original pipe with the CVRM...it works, and works well. I was running a little under 40 MPH with that setup, and had not drilled the baffle. Some folks talk of putting a 1/8th inch hole in the baffle. If this helps, I think it would have put me over 40 MPH.
Sean