I utilized a regular styled mod rewrite for both the regular articles section, and the "archive" articles section, which in this method is just a new set of templates with stripped html, streamlined CSS, and the new hardcoded links to the mod rewrites.
After i get my bearings straight, I will try and put together a package with instructions, and the more experienced people here can judge if it is worthy or not, and pick any problems out.
Overall, no change in speed for site, cleaner for direct links, and google has been active in the archive version of it hardcore since it went live. Been watching whos online very closely. Most of my incoming google Guest traffic also now goes to the archive for articles and of course the board archive.
Can see it in action here:
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transf...-articles.html
www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-archive.php