ORIGINAL: shannah
You should make it electric. So what if it is a bit overweight. It's a prototype. I think the only concern would be if the battery location relative to CG is ok, it seems it would be ok based on the chin cowl layout.
Besides, you could give them ideas for what to improve on future electric versions. That would help them kick out a nice electric version sooner
I think if I went electric on it then it would end up being even more overweight. Based on my spreadsheet I'd end up at 5723g not 5073g - all relative. Since there isn't much I can cut out to save weight either on the plane - I can trim down the motor mount beams but that certainly won't save that much weight. I'm thinking that the next one will definitely be much more easier to convert to electric and should make weight too.