Ask @grantcooper if he's ever had a joint fail later. That solid feeling beats speed every time for me, because I hate fixing things twice.

Seriously, isn't that just standard procedure for any competent rigging crew?

See, I gotta disagree on this one. I stuck with my 12-inch head in that same Mobile Bay muck and just slowed my pump rpm way down. Got the same boost in solids without buying a whole new head. For me, it's more about fine-tuning the pump than swapping parts. A smaller head just limits your top end if you hit a patch of gravel.