First "GregTech"-based modpack I finished
Reputation ranks
Ranks only ever go up; points can drop but your rank stays.
About reputation ranksI usually stay away from GregTech 5+ modpacks because they tend to be extremely tedious and boring. Not hard or complex, just boring. But in StaTech everything is just-enough. Access to MI quarry early is very nice, quest book is detailed and is enough to learn unfamiliar mods without googling. You are not forced to go deep into Create. Space exploration can be done in a few hours and never touched again.
I recommend adding ftb ultimine or similar because provided alternatives are not that good.
Also, I think machine sounds should be off by default.