If you are going to be detailed, you must go for Finite Element Analisys. Even if the equipment is big, you are better off modeling with FEA software than with CAESAR II. I would suggest to use FE pipe since is already preprogrammed to deal with vessel and pipe configurations. Try modeling everything in the same model/software instead of transferring data from one software to the other. Since you are looking for a fine detailing even the smallest thing such as the deflection on the equipment might help, and you could probably miss these small effects when transferring data.
Regards,