Hey Brian,
Nice work with the spades and other RV-4 mods. And don't let the naysayers hold you back. This is experimental aviation and careful, thoughtful modifications are the name of the game. The same naysayers would have had a fit when Van developed the RV-1 from a Stits Playboy. I worked with Van on his article on "RV Aerobatics" (EAA Magazine, August, 2016, attached below) and he initially had reservations about me doing snap rolls in my RV-8. When I described the way I worked up to them while staying well within the recommended G and speed limitations he relented and stated in the article that snap rolls are OK in the hands of experienced aerobatic pilots.
When I developed a mod that added lead shot to a box between the horizontal stabilizer front and rear spars to adjust the CG for aerobatics the noise from the naysayers was as if I had developed a kamikaze version of the RV. Turned out to be the best mod I ever made!
I hope you get back into competition. There is a noticeable lack of RV's in IAC events lately and we need to change that. Press on and good luck.