Joe,
I just installed the new gear from HeliDirect and it is great! My total weight is 13.4oz now I have an esc, Power Zone board and brushless motor. The inrereasting thing was that I also installed the Eflite aluminum swash and experenced collective popping. When this happened I had some hard landing to say the least and if I would have had the old CF legs they would have broken. I also like the battery holder. I use the standard rubber bands that came with the Blade.
You do have to drill for the screws and do some slight trimming to get the bracket to fit in the front where it meets the part where the 4 in 1 sits. It will be very obvious when you get it.