LOVE this idea, can't wait to try this later when i get home.
Perhaps as suggestion, option (on by default) to completely remove the vanilla system, so basically the modules :-)

Nice idea, I added an option (off by default) to hide the vanilla quality modules (items, crafting recipes, upgrade recipes).
You still have to do the quality module research as a prerequisite for this mod's research.

Sweet Thanks!!

I tried enabling the option, but the vanilla quality modules are still there.

Do you mean existing modules in machines or inventories (which will stay even when hidden) or the option to craft them (which should be hidden/inaccessible)?

In the technology tree

I left those in to not mess with the technology tree. The epic quality unlock depends on the first quality module, and I used them as prerequisite for my own technologies.

Perhaps for immersion purposes it could be made so that also the technology icons itself no longer look like modules?