General advice on new cocktail build/conversion

[shredso]

I've built a few upright cabs, now onto my next project- the cocktail.  I've acquired an old Rally X cab.  I'm pretty happy as this is the exact style I want other than the monitor being horizontal which I think I can remedy.  Keep in mind my goal in this build is for classic vertical 4 way one button games.

The game was converted to a Popeye and has a leaf switch ball top joystick and a leaf switch button.   The little I tested it before I bought it, these seem to work fine.  Is there any reason to replace these?  I would assume this is gonna feel the most authentic because, well it is.  I don't however want reliability and response issues.  Keep em? 

I've used the ipac for 3 other builds and it's totally awesome.  With this only having a very limited amount of switches, 2 joysticks, 2 buttons, player one and 2 and credit, is there  a cheaper alternative?  I'm leaning toward sticking with Ultimarc because I kinda wanna try the aimtrack and I've been super happy with everything I've gotten from them so far.

My other issues are

Changing the monitor to vertical- I'm gonna have to dive in to see how difficult this i will be.  I hoping it's not too bad.  Someone mentioned it's the same cab as Ms Pac Man and it will fit either way.

Swapping the joystick to the left side- apparantly Popeye used a right handed stick and a left handed button?  Weird.  I'm assuming I'll have to buy a new sheet metal piece, can't really say until I crack it open...