RE: Why the near obsession with over powering airplanes?
The only way to ensure you have enough power is to install an engine at the top or greater than the high end of the manufacturer's recommendations, then throttle back if you have way too much. If you install at the lower end, you are likely going to be full throttle all the time just to make the plane fly adequately. I rather throttle back than have to buy and change to a more powerful engine, likely with different dimensions that mess up the firewall and cowl. Just my 2cents. Jon