RE: Engine silencer
You can quiet the exhaust noise quite effectively, but you will still be making plenty of noise from the prop by itself! Hopefully your neighbors won't complain about that.
I experimented using an extension hose and catch bottle to contain the oil from the exhaust. The smoke was still there, but I did capture a lot of oil! Watch this video:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEqXVix94Wc[/youtube]