Internal hdd upgrade.. so confused

Hey all, I'll try and make this quick. Got a 3.55 ps3 slim (on newest true blue cfw). I'd like to swap the stock 160gb drive for a 750gb, and am reading some conflicting information on how to do it. Note: I have NO psn content, only games and apps (ftp, mm, gaia, file managers, etc). So hopefully that will make things easier.

I'm fine with the physical work needed... that's easy. But have a few questions on the backup/restore process:

1. Many say to use the built-in backup utility. Does that get EVERYthing except for gamesaves and trophies? If so, how do you backup/restore those?
2. The only games I have installed are ones that won't run from external due to files >4gb. Can I just use multiman to copy them over to the external hdd, and then copy them back later when the new hdd is in? This would save a ton of time I think, since there's no sense backing up more than you need to using the official backup utility. (yes I know that multiman will have to split when going to usb, then rejoin them later when added back)
3. How do I handle the firmware? I don't think you can pop in a new hard drive and magically be back to where you were. People say you need to go back to OFW. Is that true? if so, can I just dl 3.55 ofw and throw it on a usb stick? What's the best practice here?
4. Would it be at all feasible to just hook up an external usb, open comgenie's awesome file manager, copy everything over you need to, or no? I'm not sure if you have copy root directories.

Sorry if these are noobish questions. I tried to research the most up-to-date info on this, but it's still a little confusing. Thanks in advance

1. It backs up everything except trophies. You just need to connect a usb drive with enough space, then go to Settings-> System Setting-> Backup Utility and select backup. To restore, go to Settings-> System Setting-> Backup Utility and select restore, then select the backup file you want to restore(if you have multiple backups).

2. I may be wrong on this one. The backup utility adds hash and compression, so it is faster to just backup your game using mm.

3. I normally just put the current firmware that I am using into a usb drive and install it. I don't brother to go back to 3.55 ofw first. Also, some PS3 that were downgraded using a flasher may brick if you tried to install 3.55 ofw on them.

4. The PS3 probably won't Recognize your apps and saves, if you just ftp them to the drive or copy them using comgenie's awesome file manager.

If you have a home computer I would suggest Trying to Use HD Clone software(it is free just google it)! It will clone the entire 160gb information to your 750gb new one. Choose the bit to bit option to copy it is the only one will work! Be patient it cant take up to 4-6 hours to complete the entire process. You need to burn the software in a blank cd and boot you Computer with only the Ps3 and the new one HD connected!Good Luck!

OR

If you have an external HD "which you should have" just transfer your backups to your PC bit by bit then just do a normal restore. Trust me on this one dude do not transfer large files like that it "might" bite you in the ass :)

Thanks for the replies guys. For the past day I've been just copying the games from internal to external through mm, then deleting them from the internal. This freed up a bunch of space, and I think the backup is only going to be about 25-30gb or so, which shouldn't be too bad. So I'll run the backup utility and store it on external usb, swap the hard drive, format the new one, run a restore, and should be back in business? I have OFW 3.55 ready in case it prompts for it when setting up the new hdd. Then of course I'll have to reinstall the true blue cfw.

omnizero - thanks for your advice man, but I don't know about reinstalling straight to cfw.. sounds kinda risky and I don't wanna f it up :)