I am 100% with you, no permanent stuff on this historic piece !
I have read somewhere about the finn evaluations of the SVT-38 and proposed ameliorations. They even made an improved rifle based on their observations. There were a few things that they didn't like:
-The receiver is too light: The locking shoulder is far from the chamber, with its light construction it is prone to bending when firing, gives the vertical stringing known from the SVT series. They advised using a much heavier stock and reinforcing the receiver, the latter was forgotten (cost factor) in the upgraded rifle but the new stock reduced the stringing problem drasticaly.
-Barrel is too thin: Prone to overheating and bending, we all heard this one especialy with the AVT-40's. But as with all rifles it is a very important aspect. Nobody makes SVT barrels, so it would be a custom setup that would still need the rear sight base and it can't be too fat for that and to leave enough space to the piston rod to travel... Unless you have a wasted shot out original barrel and a real ton of cash, forget about putting a kreiger on this gun... The finns did put a heavier one though.
-Muzzle extension, too complicated easy to see, the finns put on a simplier unit. I wouldn't touch this except maybe to add a stainless gas piston that some guy makes in the US and a tighter fitting piston rod.
-Rear sight, this one is a personnal preference. I'd prefer a scope to shoot at 1500m... And I personally like apertures a little more than tangent sights. I'm working something out with Mojo Sights on this one...
-Sling, with the ordinary stock it is bad, the finns got it right... I guess that with the navy stock it is better but it not a so much important factor for us here.
Anything that would hold the receiver thightly to eliminate the bending question should solve a lot of accuracy problems. Having some inside pictures of the different M14 EBR chassis might give you some ideas.