Hello, Sorry to jump in. I've been following this forum for some time. I just finished with my GP cap a couple of weeks ago. I've had the bird framed up for about 6 months while I was trying to figure out the best set up for extreme 3d. My innitial plans were to go with the BME 55 but it was taking too long to be released. Next up was the DA 50. Everyone seemed to be coming around 13lb with this engine. I saw whaturi's video and was impressed with how light it seemed to fly. If I remember correctly his was around 12lb 4oz. But it did look like it was flying with barely enough power for 3d with the OS 160. His video made me look into glow. So I started weighing engines and wound up going with the saito 180 (34oz with muffler at least mine is from loosing the end from vibrations so I welded a os 40fp exhaust end on and drilled out the exhaust hole). I pulled the 180 out of my DP ultimate which weighed 11lb 4oz it hovers at about 1/2 throttle with decent pull out. So if I kept the weight at 11lb or so it would have good power with a really good wing loading. When done, my completed wieght is 10lb 13oz.
Here is my set up and how I kept it light.
Lightened hatch (removed flooring)
Lightened wheel pants
Lightened axles and Kavan wheels
modified tailwheel
Lightened motor box
Atached cowl directly to fuse didn't use hardwood blocks
HS 5645 surfaces GWS micro Throttle
1250 mah Lipoly batt 6v regulator
Lighwieght switch
kevlar pull pull
Carbon ultimate spinner
Carbon Mezjlik 18x6 prop
Hangar 9 titanium links dubro clevis
Fliton aluminum control horns
Coke bottle 16 oz tank
Wing and tail surfaces untouched
I guess my best analogy is instead of sticking a Viper V10 engine in a honda civic I just shed a 1000lb[8D].
I have about 6 flights. This is one awesome plane. Hovers at less than half throttle excellent pull out. This plane flies lika a foamie. If I stop a manuver in almost any posistion and leave a little power on it just floats there. I'm no expert flier but it makes me feel like one. My only complaint it that the landings arn't easy. The plane is so light I have to feed a lot of down elevator to land. It is balanced at 6 1/2 so it is at the rearmost cg but it's hard to stall it, I have to slow it down almost to a complete stop. Can't wait to get some more stick time.
I know, Long post.
Here are some pics.