No, the fab I've been working with on several PDB designs lately is legit. doesn't do that cloning crap.
Regarding the mod.
I'll try to share my idea about the layout.
Currently, there's 3 columns of pins for motor/servos.
The one closest to the edge is ground, followed by positive in the middle and last one, closest to the fc circuitry are individual signal through holes.
If the outer two, power + - are removed the signal column remains, now instead of through hole the signal pad would be castellated holes.
The power would go at the other opposite side, made of two larger castellated holes.
now, it would possible to solder fix the FC piece to any sort of external circuitry plate, be it power distribution for fpv rig or any other research or diy electronic project.
The Fc should be a lot smaller and roughly of 3 grams of weight.
another thought is to make the castellated holes for the USB port traces as well, at much smaller inner diameter.
With this, the fc would pretty much be an Ic alike, sorta.. plus you could place usb more conveniently for your design application.
so instead going to extremes, build in 5v bec or the ability to read battery voltage or osd or what not, the fc part would be cheap enough on its own while all it takes to implement it on another circuitry is a 5 minute soldering job and there's no limit what features you can add later and in what frame you could implement it in.
If it makes a sense at all, perhaps, I could make an image or two of the idea.
Anyway, sorry for all the talk, it's late at my end so hope it made sense haha
Best,
D.