Install HoudahSpot in Finder toolbar
This adds a button to the toolbar of Finder windows. Clicking that button brings up a HoudahSpot document ready to search the folder you were looking at in the Finder.
Disable standard Spotlight menu
The HoudahSpot BlitzSearch feature acts as a complete replacement to the standard Spotlight menu. You may just as well remove the standard menu (top right) from your menu bar and save some screen real-estate.