I would use the lighter, more powerful engine.

I would not use ball links on anything but a throttle and sometimes not on that either. Unless you are meaning the swivel type ball link.

I have a Reactor also. I am using the Saito 82 and it lacks power for hovering. But even worst than that - I find the plane really difficult to hover. I am probably missing some key point, but this plane also does not want to take off of the runway! So I wonder if you have to make some adjustment to the thrust angle or to the wing incidence? I moved my thrust angle up a little and it seemed to help.