So....
I'm going to swap the sump on my xflow to the shortened one I've had made following the instructions here: http://www.dwjenkins.plus.com/short-sump.htm
I am going to reuse the existing pickup pipe but seen some threads where shortening is mentioned. What exactly needs doing for this, and how does it need relocating.

me too, i'm waiting to get the sump back to see if it's nessercary or not.

interested to see the responses

The pick up pipe strainer generally operates with about 5mm clearance from the bottom of the sump. This is due to the effect of the crankshaft turning most of the oil in the sump into a fine mist when the engine is running.

So the short answer is that yes you will need to shorten the pick up pipe, usually by the same ammount as you have had removed from the bottom of the sump.

And what's the best way to do it?