RE: Hacking a GP US40+ kit
I would say that a smaller engine, a .40 or a .46 if you have one, would help.
I am still building my US 40+ so I don't have that experience but I do have an OS 55AX in another 40-size airplane and it is a pretty zippy powerplant. I would suggest propping down to a 12x6 or even a 12x4 to slow it down.
Ken