DC_Mooniac Posted April 16, 2011 Report Posted April 16, 2011 So a couple weeks ago I made the plunge and purchased a 78 M20J. I am loving the plane and everything is great, but the paint is original (and not in good shape) so it will be painted in May. I was wondering if I should install any airframe mods before it goes into the shop for paint. I had hoped to get the Wing Tip Fairing mod from Lasar, but have been told that they do not have any in stock and they do not know when they will receive any more. Since that apparently is not an option, would it be worth having any other mods done? For example, would it be worth getting the Wing Root Leading Edge Fairing? Any others from Lasar that would be worth getting? See http://www.lasar.com/mods.asp. I know the M20J airframe already includes many mods from the earlier Mooneys but I figure now is the time to make any changes before she gets new paint. One other thought, is there a reason why no one has come out with winglets for Mooneys? No idea if the improved fuel efficiency would work for Mooneys like it does for Boeings and Airbuses (and we already have great fuel efficiency as it is), but I would have thought there could be a market for these since most pre-81 Mooneys have the cut-off wing-tip design. Many thanks for your thoughts. Quote
richardheitzman Posted April 16, 2011 Report Posted April 16, 2011 the best mod you can get is the AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag system. We will have the STC for the M20J and the all the M20K finished in about 3-6 months. Quote
WardHolbrook Posted April 16, 2011 Report Posted April 16, 2011 I'll second what Jim posted. However, if you frequently fly long distances, the best "speed mod" you could get for your airplane might very well be long range tanks - it takes a VERY fast airplane to make up for a 30 minute fuel stop. Quote
OR75 Posted April 16, 2011 Report Posted April 16, 2011 you are taking things in the right order. It is good to take your time and see what you want to get done with paint being last. Are your fuel tanks not seeping ? recent reseal or bladders ? Quote
KSMooniac Posted April 16, 2011 Report Posted April 16, 2011 I went down the same road with my '77 J and will echo everything Jim said. I opted for the later model dorsal and empenage fairings, tail hinge covers, ram air-delete, and overlapping nose gear doors. Later I added the low-profile fiberglass lower gear doors, which allowed the removal of the bump fairing aft of the gear. Despite all that work, there isn't much gain. If you want to go whole-hog, search up the mods "testwest" has done on his '77. In particular, he retrofitted the later model J ventilation system and removed the draggy scoop on the cabin roof. This is an extensive mod, but definitely an aero improvement. The LoPresti cowl and smooth belly also helped... In your case, I'd make very, very sure your fuel tanks and windows are satisfactory before paint, and if not, get those addressed. Check the lower gear doors too because mine had eroded so much at the leading edge that there was a gap when they closed, so I opted to replace with new ones. Definitely delete the ram air system too because that little donut seal costs $300+ if you can find one, and it really doesn't help our planes. The rest of the mods are just gravy... Quote
DC_Mooniac Posted April 17, 2011 Author Report Posted April 17, 2011 Quote: JimR How about some pictures of and details on your new bird? As a '78 J model owner, I think that you chose very wisely! Jim Quote
bnicolette Posted April 17, 2011 Report Posted April 17, 2011 Hiram Congratulations on the purchase of your Mooney!! I too am a new Mooney owner and understand your excitement. What a great looking airplane!! If you wouldn't mind, shoot me a PM and let me know where you're getting the paint job done and what they are charging to do a Mooney. I'll be looking forward to seeing some pictures of the finished product!! Are you going to hangar after the paint? Would be a real shame to leave it out to the elements. Brett Quote
Barry Posted April 18, 2011 Report Posted April 18, 2011 Hiram ... Great plane !! All the goodies without too much extra. Just the way I like 'em. I wish it were mine. Yes, please keep us informed about the paint job. I'm in need of one, myself. Where are you keeping it ?? Quote
Awful_Charlie Posted April 18, 2011 Report Posted April 18, 2011 If you haven't got a 406 ELT already fitted, I would seriously look at doing the aerial under the dorsal fin before painting. I had to put 406 in (French regs!), but was unwilling to spoil the paintwork to put it under, so ended up with a horrible rubber duck next to the dorsal YMMV Ben Quote
fantom Posted April 18, 2011 Report Posted April 18, 2011 Quote: JimR Very nice, Hiram, very nice. I think that my Mooney had your colors and scheme when she was new. I'm looking forward to seeing her when she comes out of the paint shop. And well done with the bladders, by the way. Jim Quote
fantom Posted April 18, 2011 Report Posted April 18, 2011 Quote: JimR And his new paint will thank him for it! Jim Quote
Vref Posted April 18, 2011 Report Posted April 18, 2011 Congratulations with your aircraft, looks to be in good shape and welcome to the 78 club! Whats the serial btw..? grLuc Quote
RJBrown Posted April 18, 2011 Report Posted April 18, 2011 At the same time as paint on my 1980 231/Rocket I add a few speed mods and TLS style landing lights. The speed mods were cosmetic only in retrospect. I loved having the lights in the wing. Not a cheep mod but I thought it quite worthwhile. The lights in the nose are a constant maintenance pain. There is so much vibration it shakes the filament out of the bulbs. I only added them to the left wing because of cost. My current plane has them in both wings and it is great. Adding to the left side and leaving them in the nose is what I recommend for others. Quote
danb35 Posted April 19, 2011 Report Posted April 19, 2011 Quote: fantom Regarding all the 406 ELT installs, I've been told that the equipment to do a check on them at annual is very expensive and the baseline cost for just a check of an installed 406 ELT is ~ $400. Quote
fantom Posted April 19, 2011 Report Posted April 19, 2011 Quote: danb35 May depend on the specific 406 unit. For the ACK (allegedly now shipping), the tests required involve no more than for a 121.5 unit, plus using the unit's self-test feature--shouldn't cost any more than any other ELT. Quote
DC_Mooniac Posted April 19, 2011 Author Report Posted April 19, 2011 Quote: Barry Hiram ... Great plane !! All the goodies without too much extra. Just the way I like 'em. I wish it were mine. Yes, please keep us informed about the paint job. I'm in need of one, myself. Where are you keeping it ?? Quote
DC_Mooniac Posted April 19, 2011 Author Report Posted April 19, 2011 Quote: Vref Congratulations with your aircraft, looks to be in good shape and welcome to the 78 club! Whats the serial btw..? gr Luc Quote
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