Sprint HTC Hero :: Is It Safe To Run Android 2.2 On (sprint) Htc Hero With Google?

iv heard ppl who downloaded android 2.2 online and installed it themselves on there phone since its not being offered ota. but im wondering if its safe? the phone is not actually getting 2.2 ever, so doing this would be my own choice. but im wondering if it will run smoothly, better than 2.1 update 1, and if there will be any problems or if anything that may not work because of compatability problems with the phone. because some people have said that 2.2 isnt being released to the hero because the phone is not physically capeable of it do to software and hardware (such as space ram speeds etc.), and others have said they installed it themselves and it works fine, that its actually made to run using less space then 2.1 making it better.