On modifying factory equipment, I say, if you have the knowhow, get after it. We are pattern people and it's in our "jeans"
Practice has always been the key and always will be, not weight and not power or type of propulsion or radio equipment
I am no longer certain that lightest flies best.....My Aesthesis is right at 11 pounds and flies well there; it was 10 1/2 # before when I ran lighter engine set-up. But it also wasn't in quite the trim it is in now. Still, the extra half pound seems to have changed (improved??) my ability to handle windy and turbulent conditions....that one snuck up on me since I've been a staunch believer in lightest=best
Personally, I'd love for the weight adder to pass so we can all move on. On the other hand, it's been alot of fun to drop in every now and then to chuckle at the latest. Where IS that guy with the deer eating popcorn avatar?

Put an OS33GT on pipe in the crate....you won't regret it and you won't have any issue making weight