I went back to map 7 and found the RL there.
I just think it adds a lot to the atmosphere if "death" actually means something and you need to start over.
Any hints about the secret lift in map 8? I don't see anything obvious, and I don't feel like testing every surface in the entire map for a hidden switch
I was pretty sure that this was not a secret in the original game, and checking a longplay on Youtube seems to confirm that: There's a clearly visible switch for that elevator in AB3D.