Fernandes LE-2 upgrades

Guys, I rounded up a Fernandes LE-2 (gold logo) and want to perform a few mods.
First is what trem steel block will replace the skinny pot metal unit? GFS has two with metric spacing.
Next, I am thinking of installing a tele bridge pup (with a steel plate surround under the guard). Anyone ever done this?

No one has tried a steel plate under the strat guard to get a tele tone?

I don't think that the tele bridge plate under the pickguard would make that much tonal difference and you'd have to route out some wood for the Tele plate to make the pickguard lay flush if you do that.

The Strat has so much wood routed out between the pickup routes, control cavity and tremolo that it's almost like a semi hollow guitar.

And then there is the tremolo bridge, so your strings are coming through the trem bridge block.
In comparison a Tele has a lot more solid wood (usually) and is typically string through the body (wood)..
If you have ever played a hard tail Strat you can tell the difference between it and a trem bridge Strat, they do sound different.

You can get a Tele bridge pickup that will fit into the stock Strat pickguard, several pickup builders make them. Still no guarantee that your guitar will sound exactly like a Tele though.

The Fernandes Strats IIRC have the narrower spaced bridge like the std MIM Fender Strats and others, so you'll have to make sure to get the right spaced trem block.

I've never seen anyone verify this but I've heard that the MIJ Fernandes Strats and Teles were made in the same factory as the MIJ Strats and Teles, they are nice guitars.

Post a pic or two when you get a chance.

Mine has a huge block on it and appears to be the same size as a Fender, but I did not get the calipers out....this LE2 (1987) plays killer and sounds strattier than my bandmates Hwy 1 and MIM my 50's classic. Also stays in tune amazingly with copius trem bar mangling. I think the block was aftermarket. Just love this axe. Nothing too special to look at but whatta player!!!

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii126/richey888/Ferdie1.jpg

FWIW, Mine looks like that except it is black.