LASAR Cowl closure install work estimation

[yvesg]

Good day all,

I am asking my local maintenance shop to quote on installing this on my M20C 1965. LASAR quotes about 5 hours of labor on this. Is this realistic? It would be nice if some people who went through this could share their expereince with me.

From what I can see, this seems to be strightforward but it is hard to say without seeing the STC. Any risks that this would become a hog moneywise?

Regards

Yves

C-FQKM

[markm20b]

I just had one installed on my M20B last month and was charged for three hours of labor. It looks like a four hour job to me so the five hour LASAR estimate is probably more than reasonable. My A&P spent about a month looking at other insulations before starting so that may have helped to reduce his time.

I only have about five local flights on the plane since the mod. Looks like my cylinder temps are down by about 15f on climb out (my main reason for doing it) and I may have gained around 3k in speed. I’ll be making my first out of state x-country since the mod this weekend which should give a true test of any speed improvements. I have noticed an improvement of from 2-5k on full power local flights at around 4,000 feet. It also looks much better.

Mark

[jrwilson]

When I had mine installed, they charged me the 5 hours, based on Lasar's estimate, but it was well over 8 to actually do it. That included painting, but that was pretty quick. The shop had done a couple of enclosures in the past, but it had been a while, so they weren't that familiar with the process.

[yvesg]

Thanks Mark for the feedback. In my case I will get the aircraft a new paint after this and other stuff is done and with the new paint scheme, I prefer the look with the cowl closure. If I would do all I want before the paint it would be a completely new airplane but budget has a hard limit. I am also looking at replacing the spinner with a polished one. If anyone would know where I could get a second hand polished spinner for a Hartzell 2 blades (M20C, 180HP) I would definitely investigate.

Regards,

Yves

C-FQKM

[N601RX]

_{If your going to buy a new spinner you might want to consider the ARI cowl enclosure. It requires a new J style spinner, but looks a lot more like the J cowling. It's around $800 without the spinner.}

[yvesg]

Agreed with you N601RX, the ARI mod is another option for me. I looked at their web site and they have several versions. Now how would these different options affect access to the engine parts? When they mean permanent, will this prevent easy cowl removal? The pictures on the web site do not work for me, I need to understand this better:

1. Permanent Installation. With the permanent installation, the ARI top cowl and bottom cowl are both riveted to the nose of your Mooney using cherrymax rivets.
   
2. Permanent Top - Removable Bottom. With this installation, the top cowl is cherrymax riveted. The bottom cowl is installed with #6 rivnuts and machine screws.
   
3. Removable Top - Permanent Bottom. The top cowl is installed with #6 rivnuts and machine screws. The bottom cowl is cherrymax riveted.
   
4. Removable Installation. The top cowl and bottom cowl are both installed with #6 rivnuts and machine screws.
   
5. Sandwiched Installation. This is similar to the Permanent Installation, except the trailing edges of the top and bottom cowls are sandwiched between the aluminum laps (joints) in the existing aircraft skin for a smoother installation. This installation required a new mold which added material to the edges of the top and bottom cowl sections so they could be extended between the aluminum lap joints near the front of the existing aircraft cowl. Other cosmetic changes were also made to improve the appearance of the installation.
   

[1970m20e]

Well since installing mine my CHT and Oil temps have skyrocketed! But we did remove the lower cowling scupper and closed it off. The cowl flaps area is the only area for air flow. Did your installation retain the bottom cowl scupper? It's a SB from 1971 for high CHT's. I need help as I don't dare fly anymore due to CHT's that are 440-450 now.

[yvesg]

My installation is not started yet: I have yet to decide if I go LASAR or ARI... one of my local options (shop) found a source for a second hand spinner (which I need replaced anyway due to a very minor crack).. looks like I will go LASAR without touching any of the lower part of the cowling. Final call will be made Monday... still waiting for a quote.

I will record numbers and take pictures before the mod is done. I am also getting the pucks replaced and a few minor things done... next will be the paint. I'll post pictures.

Yves

C-FQKM

[Lood]

IIRC, tha installation on my Lasar cowl closure was also around 5 hrs. Performance wise, it did nothing towards any increase in speed, but both my CHT's and oil temp are cooler.