Can I upgrade my 2017 Macbook Pro (no-touch bar) SSD with a 3rd party NVMe while running Sequoia on Opencore?

Firstly, I apologize if this isn’t the exact right place to ask — I’m new to the Mac upgrade scene and trying to find the best advice. But I thought some of you experienced people must know solution to such a basic issue.

TL;DR:
I upgraded my 2017 MacBook Pro from Ventura to Sequoia using OpenCore Legacy Patcher. Seller says I need macOS 10.2+ on original Apple SSD before swapping to a third-party NVMe SSD for EFI firmware updates. I’m unsure if my current setup has the right EFI firmware or if I need to downgrade to Ventura first. Need advice!

Hey everyone,

I'm planning to upgrade the internal SSD on my 2017 MacBook Pro (no Touch Bar, model A1708) from the original 128GB Apple SSD --> 3rd party 1TB NVMe SSD (KINGDATA).

Here is my situation and would appreciate any help:
- I recently updated (last week) my macbook from Ventura --> Sequoia and it is running perfectly using OCLP.

- When installing Sequoia, I had to install an EFI folder as part of the process I believe.

- The SSD seller on amazon states in the product description that I need to have macOS 10.2 or later installed on the original Apple SSD before swapping to ensure the Mac's EFI firmware is updated. Something to do with the EFI/firmware being able to read the 3rd party SSD.

- My Mac only officially supports up to macOS Ventura, but now I'm on Sequoia through OCLP.

- I'm worried whether the EFI firmware was properly updated or has been changed or something while I installed Sequoia.

- I checked my System Firmware Version (previously known as Boot ROM Version) and it shows "529.140.2.0.0" but I can't find any information online on whether this supposedly EFI firmware is updated enough to support 3rd-party NVMe SSDs and avoid certain sleep mode issues I have seen people face online.

So here are my questions:

  1. Does running maOS Sequoia via OCLP confirm that EFI firmware updates from Ventura or earlier are intact and valid on my macbook?
  2. Should I downgrade back to Ventura on my original SSD to ensure EFI updates are properly installed before swapping? OR Can I just directly swap the SSD without any issues?
Author: @Atlanta-SticO-938