Just grind the area off the alloy bulk, I really do not see it doing much at all for strength.
I would use thicker material than he did for the braces, or shorten the pins so I could use a screw to retain them.
Like this, see arrows in pic:
I would use thicker material than the stock hpi braces, and likely trim/grind the hingepins to the correct length. Then just use a m4 thread short cap head screw to hold the pin from sliding out.
I have moced up most of what I have to do, will keep searching for turnbuckles and see if I can score a set on the cheap.