Questions on changing to a 2 speed motor on a Hayward Super II pump

[keastman]

I'm ready to replace my pump/motor and install the Jandy cl 340 filter that I picked up and have some questions before making the final pump and plumbing decision. iji

Here's what I've come up with so far. Some the heads on the in floor cleaning are starting to fall apart and I can't see that it does much anyway with the load of tree debris my pool gets. So, I'm thinking to remove one or two heads from each zone in the bottom cleaning system. This will allow it to cycle with a much lower head loss I hope and also allow the elevated spa to get circulation. I'm taking the heat pump out for now but may replace it at some point in the future. Spa jet pressure isn't a big issue for me, I'm more concerned with warm water when I decide to use it again. So, with opening up the floor cleaning system, I'm thinking of getting a two speed 1 1/2 hp motor and installing it in the super pump II along with the proper impeller. There is still a slight chance of using a VS motor but I'm having a tough time justifying the expense and payback period with elect rates of 0.12/kwh in NE florida. I'm hoping the 1 1/2 hp might let me vacuum with skimmer line only open since at present I have to have the main drain open so that I don't get bubbles in the skimmer as I do with the 2 hp. I think it overpowers the lines and draw it through the skimmer gasket seal no matter how tight it is or else there is some cavitation going on.

Ben had mentioned cleaning up the plumbing, so since I have to cut lines to put in the new (to me) filter and work on the pump. Can anyone give me some ideas on what I might do in that respect. I'm considering leaving a 3 way valve in the return from the filter in case I decided to put a heater back on line, does that make sense or would I be better off just leaving room to splice in a heater in the future. The SWG would be hard to put on another line since the other return goes to the geared distributor for the in ground cleaning. Though I suppose it could be put in that line and just go through all the zones as they open. As to the "train wreck" valve orientation on the suction side. Jandy's manual for the cl 340 show's valves in the same configuration and I've seen the same on other manufactures web sites, so I'm confused as to try to correct that or leave as is.

Any suggestions would be helpful before I start hacking away. Oh, I'll also be raising the pump off the ground level.