MyNameIsNobody

+1. All the "best money spent" "best I ever did for the plane" mantra wins. We are a couple traditionalists in a sea of money spenders for the sake of spending money. Why change if their is zero problem? Is an upgrade an upgrade when there is little perceived benefit except a small wight savings? How many field wire threads of alternator failure have I read? More than I have read regarding Generator problems. Do what you want. So will I, but stop with the marketing phrases. Just the facts in my Dragnet voice.

What regulator did you have? Mine is always charging on ground since Zeftronics install.

LOVE the seats. They really look sumptuous. The split rear seats are a nice plus in the later models. Weird that they went BACK to the bench in the early J Models. Well done. Enjoy! Does interior feel "larger" with the spatial interior?

My issue with the Generator was in taxi at night with the old sealed beam light. IT WAS HORRIBLE AND UNSAFE. The light required so much power draw while at taxi/low RPM it was the pits. The HID light XEVision solved all those issues. I have just never had an issue with "Power" on the generator with the new Zeftronics Voltage Regulator. It just shows level charge at 13.9-14 volts and everything works as it should. I like the simplicity of the generator.

Not a wish list. A done list. Just kidding. There have been a lot of upgrades/maintenance that are absolutely necessary like brakes, flaps, scat hose, tank re-seal that were necessary, expensive and "improved the plane", but were about as glamorous as a dishwasher, dryer or water-heater in the home. I put the alternator upgrade in "that" list vs. being "fun" quality stuff you enjoy. Nothing worse than losing electronics in flight, I get that. Just having a really solid experience with the old reliable generator in my vintage plane. I apologize for having fun at your expense.

"Best money I ever spent"....

Why not first pull the existing generator and replace with a refurbished unit from Spruce? I have had ZERO issues with my replaced generator after also replacing voltage generator with Zeftronics unit. A refurbished generator is chickenfeed and labor would be minimal. Send your old unit for core. I am over ten years without an issue since replacement. The money saved bought a replacement co-pilot panel and voltage regulator. EI. My unit is charging on ground 14 volts if RPM is over 1250 in taxi. I run my HID landing light ALL THE TIME. 15U, REALLY? Best upgrade ever? Really sexy there. HID light, G3, updated yokes with electric vacuum disconnect, Accu-flite, Accu-Trak, 696, side-windows etc...ALL more sexy than an alternator conversion...Glad you got a zing out of installing that upgraded electric thing. Did I mention Fuel Flow, Digital Tach, Clock/timer, New carpet, gear warning, headrests...O.K. Alternator. Got it. Hey, I might need a new dishwasher. Super excited about that.

Another progressive trying to change the rules... Clearly defined what a Vintage Mooney IS. It is NOT a J. I have no need to wander into Modern Mooney threads for same reason I don't test drive a 911... I don't want what I don't know.

What a goofy thread. (and I know goofy)

Turkey Buzzard or Eagle. Both are beautiful in their own way. I am glad the world has both...

Really? We are THERE TIMES INFINITY. I SEARCH TO SHINE A LIGHT ON THE ASSININE. I was really just shooting the messenger on this one. Peter always entertains me. One must now find entertainment where one can find it. No politics on the thread so I will be the P.C. police. May even have a badge made. Mirrorred sunglasses.....YES, I bet you dirty old men wear them inside.

I appreciate anyone that does their job well and makes you feel valued. Whether they have a penis or a vagina is really not relevant as I am not looking at them as a sex-object. I appreciate well-trained responsive caring staff that provide a quality customer service experience. Period. I do think my wife is hot though.

Jack's surprise that the siren call from Peter brought you in with your emotocon/screen name. Stay classey.

I waited a few days. No one is calling you out on this. This remark is sexist and B.S. Peter. You can think whatever you want, but to put this down as an actual belief, just wow. How old are you? Do you have a daughter? When I see attractive young people I think of my daughter and son. I find many people "pretty". One must engage to identify if their beauty is merely skin deep. I find your comment creepy. I guess I am the only one. Here is a hint. Keep this shit to yourself as you will leave others wondering if you are "that guy" instead of confirming it.

That's it, I am converting back. I am all about foiling the drone hit. Well played sir

Highest break-up rate eclipsing the Bonanza V-Tail-Wood tail Mooney's. Have fun. I would not fly in one and I have read that most A&P's won't work on them...

I think the re-sale on my (used) Porsche in 25 years will be just fine.

$52k Buy in GUP & $10k (out of pocket) for new engine/prop/k doors, 1 piece belly at 1900 hours. Under instruction. Following an hour under hood and Flight review. Four touch and goes and instructor pulled power on downwind. Displaced runway. Beautiful in flare...crunch. Better than pre-GUP._ _ IT Happens... New panel $10k (incremental) Sold 1/2 plane to co-owner for $35k Bought a Cayman S. Life is good 600 hours post overhaul... Costs for panel/interior/windows (our labor) and upgrades to wing leveler (Accu/Trak) (Accu-Flite) and Altitude Hold as well as tank re-seal split with co-owner... All Brittain parts, 155, 300xl, 696 GEM 602 (now G3), Audio panel, Intercom (stereo w/music input, purchased used on EBAY A "Free" audio alert on gear with buy-out of avionics shop...and loss of "my avionics guy" thankfully after panel ALL DONE. He lost his job and never billed me.... How to own/and upgrade a Mooney on a shoe-string. YMMV

I prefer my "pain of ownership" in small doses. It really doesn't hurt much and you end up with a more reliable, better performing , more functional bird. Doing it yourself can be very satisfying. I was on a budget so had zero choice in how I pursued upgrades/repairs and beautification. I would love to have been able to 1. find an E with a panel as awesome as Barcho's and more importantly 2. Have it within my price point. My wallet feels lighter just looking at photos of his panel. Good for him. AWESOME panel and a really beautiful airplane. Can you get something like that for $50k these days? I still have under "solid" 201 money in my plane. I am glad I didn't spend big and did my incremental improvements. YMMV.

1. Check 2. NOPE-Good luck finding this on a vintage Mooney. Can be done, but NOT easy. 3. NOPE-Also tough to find. My MAJOR mistake was "lack" of a MAJOR. 4. NOPE-Did my interior myself and had seats re-done. One thing an owner can do along with glass. Not easy, but a LOT cheaper to do it yourself, learn your plane's inards. 5. NOPE-Can be done on a budget. Just use EBAY and do it icrementally...over years. First a used GEM...Then a G3. First left/pilt panel...THEN a digital tach, a digital MP, FF, Volts, Clock, Oil pres/Temp. A little at a time. THEN do right panel cut-out upgrade the electical buss, add an electical master. 6. Check. Bougt with cowl and windscreen mod. No gap seals yet... 7. Check. One owner hanger queen with 1850 TT at purchase. Finding a cream-puff is tough. What did this buyer with the uber panel pay? Back in 2000 E's were going for good money. $50-55k was common. Why would I sell my plane for less than $70k and "take a hit"? I think BUYERS have the unrealistic expectations. Educate yourself on what it costs to own an E configured well and well maintained inside and out. If you don't want to pay, then expect to get a heap of financial pain instead of a high dispatch fast/efficent flying machine that has been updated to current standards for safety in a cross-country flight. Hey Barcho get ready for a 3k+ hit for ADSB upgrade...

Or is it?

So you had the Mod that allows SAME access as standard windscreen and opted to not install it. What were these "advantages and disadvantages of which you and Russel spoke? Not access. Not speed increase. Not aesthetics. Wood wing/tail Mooney's have a super high incidence of safety of flight. They break up and the occupants die. Hope you have a metal tail conversion and nobody talked you out of that. I would not fly in a wood-tailed Mooney. I also would not convert a windshield on a '59 classic wood wing-metal tail bird. You chose wisely.

Somebody paid $40 grand. Apparently that was enough.

Counter-Point-A SWTA 201 conversion retains the same access and has been identified by MANY other sources as the single best speed mod to install on a vintage Mooney. That panel deserves a speed slope windshield. You one and two piece vintage guys enjoy, but there is zero doubt that there is an increase in speed with the windshield conversion and it looks superior. I look forward to putting Mike's cowl Mod and an updated paint to make my 1966 bird look and perform better than most planes built today. To each his/her own. No, there is nothing wrong with the original classic lines of the airplane. It is just better with upgrades functionally and aesthetically.

Deadbeat buyers on Ebay that say they didn't receive an item that was shipped to their address. No confirmation..."No Receipt" and you are out item and have to refund shipping and cost of item...