M20G Panel Upgrade Writeup

[3914N]

I upgraded my G-model's panel after purchasing it in mid-2015.  Upgrades included adding a GMA-340 audio panel and GNS-430W (with 106A indicator).  Not quite as glamorous as some of the other major upgrades I see on here, but in my mind it was a very affordable way to add a lot of capability to by '68.

The GMA-340 was a major upgrade because the aircraft did not already have an installed 4-place intercom.  So the interior needed to be pulled out, back seat jacks installed, the whole works.  We took advantage of having the interior out to wire the aircraft for ADS-B out, but I won't be purchasing the transceiver until 2020 gets closer.

When all was said and done, the airplane was in the shop for two weeks and the total install cost almost exactly $16,500, inclusive of all parts and labor.  About $11,500 of that was the GNS-430W installation, and the remaining $5,000 was for the GMA-340 (majority of that being labor).

I was going to simply install a KMA-24 audio panel and Sigtronics intercom, but my avionics technician talked me out if it and I'm glad that he did.  Because the majority of the audio panel installation cost is labor, I would have saved less than $700 on the total installation.  The GMA-340 is an amazing piece of equipment, and my passengers love the ability to listen to music on their own channel.  I also like the fact that an extra $700 got me a brand-new piece of equipment instead of something that's been obsolete for 20 years.

Jeff Landon of High Desert Avionics (based at WJF) did the installation, and I'd highly recommend him.  This is the second installation I've had him do (the first one being on a club airplane) and I've been very satisfied.

I'd be happy to go into any details if anyone is looking to do a similar upgrade

 

[slowflyin]

Very capable!  Nice!

[gsengle]

Have you tackled adsb out yet? Not cheap but highly recommend the L3 Lynx...

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[rbridges]

Looks great.  Having a certified GPS is really nice. I had a kma24. It's very capable but I'm so glad that I upgraded to something newer. 

[Raptor05121]

Any reason you didn't upgrade the xponder for ADS-B out while everything was apart?

[3914N]

29 minutes ago, Raptor05121 said:

Any reason you didn't upgrade the xponder for ADS-B out while everything was apart?

Honestly, too much at once.  This is my first airplane and I'd rather keep that money in the bank in case I run into other expensive issues during the first annual.

I did have all the wiring installed and connected to the GNS-430W, so the hope is that an ADS-B out transciever is a "plug-and-play" addition in a few years.