I think that Extra Utilities Speed Upgrade recipe should be easier. Why? Extra Utilities nodes are the main way of transfering items because we don't have Buildcraft. The way how does Transfer node move items is really slow and it is main bottleneck in automated systems. The only ways how to make it faster are: 1. Use less connected pipes (Impossible with big systems and no pipe blockers) 2. Use Speed Upgrade. The main problem with Speed Upgrades is their really big cost (4 redstone blocks, 2 gold ingots, 3 gold nugets) so I think that the recipe should be modified to make it easier to boost your items transfer. The difficulty of T1 or other tiers shouldn't be in making Speed Upgrades but in making of powerful, core items.
Speed upgrades also can cause lag if too many are used so having a harder recipe is good, you also dont need many speed upgrades if you have stack upgrades in your nodes
This isnt solution if you have lots of pipes connected and you have transfer node to pump water into decomposer connected too. You can pump max. 4000 mb at one time into decomposer and if it isnt done quickly enough your hydrogen generators are going to die of lack of hydrogen.
I have already spoke to you in game about this. Its the normal recipe. Soo... And we dont feel like changing it.
The initial problem starts somewhere else - i guess you have pipes going to all your barrels for sorting and stuff? Totally not needed with sorting barrels and chests