The heat shouldn't be to much of an issue, theres allways thermo tape and other exhaust lagging that's pretty efficient.
I've seen blower set-ups on pre cross flow engines that have all the hardware on the opposite side of the engine, with a pipe running over into a standard inlet manifold. Not my personnal choice, a few negatives to that sort of set up, but still plenty of power.Water/methonol injection is a cheap and relatively easy option to cool the charge.

I've also seen blowers that work with an A/C compressor pulley, Mad Max style at the flick of a switch. Not what I'm after either, but still pretty cool.

I have a few bonnets lying around, I might cut a hole in one and paint it at the same time the ute gets done. The under bonnet sleeper thing is cool, but I'm a fan of a tasteful bonnet scoop or Carb/airfilter sticking out. (must be the bogan comming out in me)

I know the A12 wouldn't be everyones choice as a base, but I've got one spare thats consumable. Its all a learning thing. And a very fun way of learning at that!!