No offence taken. I have the same issue. In the summer running 9.00 index is right on the edge for us. Though our weather isn't quite as bad as yours. I refuse to hop the motor up any more. It's to good where it is. So if I want to go that quick ther has to be a change. Aluminum blocks are too pricey. I love my chrome bumpers. So to lose 100lbs to get where it needs to be is either A; expensive B; sacrifice looks C: get very creative in 100 diffrent areas. For now in the summer we just back off and run 9.25.
Doug