eject the pilot and buy that cf gear
Now you're talking. I am struggling with your same power to weight issues on another plane of mine. It sucks when the plane isn't as powerful as you'd hoped.
I DID eject my 5oz pilot and I did put on the carbon fiber gear, for an all up weight savings of 11 oz or maybe a tad more. I'll keep my NiCad; I used it as ballast to adjust CG.
Good luck