RE: How much strength does balsa / ply add?
You could put in some 6mm square cross braces to stiffen up the fuse. Basically you would be making a truss structure. This would add alot of strength without much weight. Be careful about adding a bunch of weight and then strapping on a bigger and heavier engine. That is a good recipe for ruining an otherwise good airplane. I think you have done this in the past with some of your other airplanes.