Sump Chopping...?

[jasongray5]

I have been putting it off for a couple of weeks now, but the day has come, for me to shorten my sump.
The job is made a little tricky-er due to the fact the engine came from a FWD car and the sump is angled. No Worries though, whats the worst that can happen???
Plan is, cut the pan level with the bottom of the bellhousing, then set it on a sheet of 1.6mm steel, cut roughly around it, change the side the sump plug is on (because it will be too short the side its on) then weld it inside and out, grind it all back nice and neet, fill it with something to check for leaks, if its tight, give it a wash and put it back on.
I think the oil pickup pipe will need shortened too, how much clearance is recomended? any tips and tricks on doing this, as its the bit im not too sure about

Cheers Guys