Thanks again for the feedback, all. Those EAA videos were quite informative. I think I'm more intimidated by the engine management now than anything! It all seems pretty familiar though- I flew twin-Cessnas for a couple years with geared Continental engines (GTSIO-520s in Cessna 421 pressurized twins). I do remember that one of the big no-nos was letting relative airflow "drive" the motors, as opposed to keeping enough power in so that the motors were always pulling the airplane. Seems like sort of the same thing. Of course, many GA airplanes had issues with shock cooling also that required a certain amount of engine management as well.

I did find out that this IV I'm planning to fly next week does have both Grove landing gear and a pneumatic tailwheel. Sounds like those should both be helpful modifications...