I can't answer all of your questions but I can answer some the pod usually rides level with the rest of the car when the car is race ready usually you need to put a couple washers under the front of the t-plate it allow this to happen.As far as preloading the shock to do this I wouldn't I think it would make the rear-end a little too stiff maybe you would lose traction I am not sure.I have always used washers under the t plate so I am not 100 percent sure preloading the shock would do what I think it would or not hopefully this helps some.