If you care about the originality, correctness, and collector value of this rifle, don't subject it to modification to legally bring it into NJ.
If you are thinking about reselling it, and you would expect to resell it in NJ then having that work done to it would actually increase its value to people in NJ because otherwise it's worthless contraband they can't buy at all.
If you're thinking about reselling it and you would expect to resell it outside of NJ, then having that work done to it would make it close to worthless to almost any buyer in any state that doesn't require the same modifications.
For example, if you took that mucked with gun just across the border to a gun show in PA and tried to sell, you'd be lucky to find a buyer who even would make an offer at all, on a gun wearing the scars of NJ's draconian laws.
If you really, really want THAT gun, and you're going to live in NJ for the foreseeable future, then make the modifications and put it out of your mind. It will be pretty close to worthless to anyone outside of NJ, but you could always sell it to someone still residing in that state if you do manage to work out your life situation to be able to move away. If you're thinking that you'll keep this gun forever, imagine how you'll feel seeing those fairly irreversible changes every time you look at it, when you live in a place where those are unnecessary.
The smart money would say be patient. If you have any sort of realistic plan to be able to leave the state, don't muck up a decent rifle just to play with it now. There's plenty of guns out there that do fit NJ's rules. Enjoy shooting them while you're stuck there and then get your Chicom AK when you get settled in a better place.
I guess I'd see it this way: You have an opportunity to buy something cool. But there's a really, REALLY strong chance that if you do this you're going to feel a little sick to your stomach every time you look at it. Maybe in the end you'd be happier to let this go than be stuck with something that just reminds you of disappointment and regret.