I'm going to add an Xecuter 3 and at least a 250gig Maxtor hdd in my old school v1.0 Xbox. Anything I need to consider? I saw some post about modifying the chip so it doesn't fry my mobo. Any advice?

just follow the install guides and you'll have no problems.

to keep the chip from frying,
if you do a wire install....put several layers of electric tape on the back of the chip before putting the sticky pad on. this adds extra insulation to keep the solder points from poking through and touching the metal
if you do a pinheader install,
check out this thread - http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=298039


the X3 makes installing a new HD unbelievably easy btw. i'd recommend doing the wire install on your 1.0 if the lpc holes already have solder in them. that's what i did for mine and it was really easy.