Did you use a mini servo like the Hitech HS-55 for the throttle? I flew mine today with the new servo and it is a bit lighter.

Another way to save weight is to use wood dowels for the pushrods thru the fuselage. Glad to hear that you are using the Saito .56. I have that on my Sig Kavalier and it flies great. You can cut weight some more by going down to an 8 oz fuel tank if yours is larger. Mine runs about 15 minutes, or more on that. I use the APC 12x6 prop too.

Featherlite Dubro wheels saves a lot weight.