I have now spent several hours trying to modify the newest litecoin wallet into an NDL wallet. In some ways its easier than I expected, in others, its not. I think it's going to be quite the project, unfortunately. I'm not sure I've really got the time for it, but we'll see. I would have preferred to use an old version of the litecoin wallet (as the most recent wallet I compiled is litecoin based), but if I'm going to have to go through a lengthy process, might as well just do everything that needs to be done to make the wallet worthwhile, right? This will likely require a hard fork though and, depending on the complexity, may require changing some of the parameters (such as eliminating the whole "triple mining rewards once a week" thing).
It all gets complicated when you're trying to do it right.
Seriously, lots of moving parts.
You shouldn't need a hard fork to prove your updated wallet is working right.
The actual protocol compatibility in leaving consensus parameters the same is one way you can validate your new wallet is working correctly.
For example, let's suppose you pick an updated Litecoin branch and start adding in the NoodlyAppendageCoin coin parameters.
The first test would be seeing the new wallet sync with the network successfully and to be able to verify blocks using the same rules.
After that is just right, then you can erect / use the testnet to prove for any changes to the subsidy rules or difficulty adjustment which would necessitate a hard fork.
Just use GitHub and make small commits for one issue at a time as you're working through it.
Then we can see what you've done and help make it work.
Best Regards,
-Chicago