So... after a week or so of the outlane post modification and playing with lightning flippers... I like it! I ordered some clear narrow 1 1/16th posts to replace upper outlane star posts. So, I may end up removing the shrink from the lower outlane posts and install back rubber rings.
Stay tuned
Lightning flippers don’t seem to add a tremendous amount of difficulty, but they open that middle up just enough to make the game a little more brutal. The geometry of all the shots and flow of ball to flippers from ramps/scoop all remain intact. In fact, I can now effectively backhand the drops/locks... which could just be because the angle of the flippers post-install is slightly different than the angle of the flippers from factory (I set up my lightning flippers slight more upward... just slightly!).
Highly recommend giving lightning flippers a shot!