I did a little bit of tuning on the engine last night and switched props. I put a APC 12x8 on it and the vibrations went WAY down and the sound levels also decreased quite a bit. I am thinking this engine likes to be loaded a bit to dampen the pulse. The only thing I am not happy with on this prop is the spoolup speed. it is a bit slow for my liking. 

I am getting these results on the ground:
Prop: APC 12x8
Idle: 2600
Full: 9200 

The other thing I noticed is that my HS needle seems to "wiggle" if you will and I can change the tune just by holding the needle. I can also see some bubles every now and then coming through the threads of the needle. almost as if the thread tolerances are too loose. Anyone else see this? I'll be putting some silicon line over the needle but this does not seem right to me.