Kevin,
I would consider doing this, but how about a different idea. Suppose you experiment on my dead (flash corrupted, no IPL) Audrey and, if you're successful, you now have done it ONCE. Then you can do it to yours if you like. I get mine back and it works so I can do the Linux boot bringup I was planning before I shagged Audrey rotten.
Whadaya think of that idea?
metalwheaties