ORIGINAL: gaRCfield
Maybe a super light setup with 4000mah 10S is the way to go. Definitely both sides of the spectrum here - with one side being unlimited vertical on 8S, the other being that the plane lacks punch in the wind. One thing I'm sure of is that I don't want to spend $1200 on a plane and setup and wish I had more power - I already have a plane with too little power; I upgraded to a larger engine and it still isn't making me happy. I do not want to deal with that again.
Joe . . I wouldn't get too concerned with weight on this plane . . it can handle a heavier wing loading with ease. My friend uses 10S 4900mAh Rhino's in his Wind 110 . . AND . . when there is more wind, he fits a wing tube with LEAD in the center of it. It flies fantastic.
He is a high ranking F3A pilot and does a lot of testing and experimenting with his planes, and would not do this if it didn't make it fly better ! He started with 8S and stock weight . . I flew it and thought it felt too light, even though it still flew nice (my opinion). Now, with more weight and more power, it penetrates better, holds a line cleaner, and requires less correction through manoeuvres.
If using 8S, keep it light . . but for competition, 10S and more weight seems to be a reasonable improvement.
Anyway, best to test it for yourselves and optimize the plane to suit.
PS. He added the canalizer and the wing fences and did testing. Intitially thought he had found some improvements, but removed them and has gone back to the 'clean' airframe, as he found too many adverse affects which he didn't like.
JB