Edd Posted August 2, 2011 Report Posted August 2, 2011 I recently purchased N99376 a '81 231. It has the Merlin wastegate upgrade and I've ordered an intercooler (8 weeks out). Now I am looking to upgrade the induction intake to complete the LB upgrade. Any suggestions with the intake/ throttle body parts suppliers? Ive put 55 hrs on her in 6 weeks and she is a great machine! Any help is greatly appreciated. Quote
panther1400 Posted August 2, 2011 Report Posted August 2, 2011 Cant help you with parts but was interested in your feelings about your 231 and what you had before? I was pretty set on a J but some people have good reasons to go with a K, what is your 2 cents? Quote
Edd Posted August 3, 2011 Author Report Posted August 3, 2011 Well, I have been flying only 2.5 yrs. I bought a Beech Sierra to finish my private license in and flew until May. They are a 200 hp complex aircraft. The cabin is wider than a Bonanza and has 2 front doors. I have around 520 hrs ( 450 in the Sierra, 55 in the 231 now) total time. The 1 door is taking some getting use to (after you have had 2), more leg room in the rear seats for the wife and kids but a little more narrow. They stability and control feels are amazing. It is the most stable plane I have flown. Speed is, well its a turbo Mooney. I fly from Nashville, Tn to Oklahoma regularly and it cut an hour off that trip each way. Don Maxwell has done the annuals therefore it is in great shape with all the bells. Im finishing my IFR and except slowing the thing down it is by far a better IFR platform. I have put 55 hrs on it in 6 weeks and I am enjoying it. I would recomend the K model if you take trips etc. If only local flying I might would go to the J model. My 2 cents worth. Quote
kortopates Posted August 3, 2011 Report Posted August 3, 2011 Eddie, To find your parts, your first step, if you haven’t already done so, should be to collect all the part numbers you need. This will require the Continental IPC (illustrated Parts Catalog) for the GB and LB. If you expect to do this more in the future, you’ll want to purchase a copy from TCM. Or you can use the TCM website to access the same up to date IPC content by registering at http://tcmlink.com/aviator/index.cfm . There is no fee to register, but you’ll need your engine serial number. After you register, login and click on Product Catalog, and navigate to fuel injection. You may need to play some tricks, like changing your engine model between GB and LB to see differences in part no's between the two – if the same IPC data does not cover both engines. Although hardcopy IPC(s) will make this easier, the TCM website is invaluable in giving you list prices of the parts . You can order TCM manuals from the TCM power store at http://www.tcmpowerstore.com/publications/index.html However, I didn’t see the IPC listed there so you may have to call them to order them, but all but the IPC are listed there for purchase. There are other manual sources such as Essco at http://www.esscoaircraft.com/ . Once you have your part numbers you can contact your closest TCM distributor for purchasing parts. You’ll have bigger success finding them at a nearby engine shop but pretty much any distributor can order them for you, including your preferred MSC or shop. You might also first try http://www.preferredairparts.com/engine.htm for discounted parts - they buy out old FBO parts inventories and you may get lucky on occasion finding what you need discounted there. Otherwise expect to pay list from your preferred local or nearby TCM dealer/distributor. You might also try some of the salvage yards for airworthy used parts. Good luck! Quote
Edd Posted August 3, 2011 Author Report Posted August 3, 2011 Wow, thanks Paul! that is the kind of advice im looking for. Quote
N9937c Posted August 5, 2011 Report Posted August 5, 2011 One of the first things is to check with your FSDO and see what hoops you must jump through. Some not so bad and some terrible ( FSDO's). Will require engine data tag to be restamped and flight manual changed. Also a parts manual is not considered " approved data " to make such a change. I have no idea how they came up with that! I do know engine shops change them all the time without a lot of grief but for a regular guy its not so easy. GOOD LUCK larry Quote
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