RE: SWB's
The mechanical advantage IS better if they're pointed up. I can send you a program to compute the forces if you want it.
I did this...
... I took the SWB arms and a moto-tool cut-off wheel and cut off the last hole. It gives you between 1" and 1 1/4". Mounted upright, I get almost 40 degrees of travel, which is plenty for me to harrier, do walls and parachutes, wicked tumbles, super flat inverted and upright spins, etc etc etc.
Just my .02.