Cowl mods for M20F

[danb35]

I'm really pretty much dreaming right now, but I'm thinking about cowling mods for my '67 F (currently has the LASAR cowl closure installed).  I'm mainly considering the 201 cowl, but the Lopresti cowl looks nice.  I'm considering both speed and appearance as reasons.

I see SWTA has a 201 cowl for $5k, and they estimate 55 hours for installation.  I thought LASAR had one, but I don't see it on their web site.  I have vague memories of an STC that would allow the owner to assemble the parts from an actual J and install them on an earlier model, but I have no memory of who had that STC--I might be imagining it.

And, of course, the Lopresti cowl added more speed, but cost a fortune, and I understand it's not currently in production anyway.

Any feedback on cowl mods?  Is this something that an owner could reasonably do (under A&P supervision, of course), or would it really need to be done by an expert?  Would the 201 windshield need to be installed as well, or is this something that could be done separately?

(edited to fix formatting)

[231Pilot]

I'm pretty sure that if you install a 201 cowl, the windshield goes on at the same time.  But I could be wrong.

[flight2000]

Everything I've read about the Lopresti Cowl is it looks cool, but adds no significant speed to the aircraft.  I've only seen two Mooneys with their cowl installed.  I for one can't justify the price tag on it.

Brian

[danb35]

Aviation Consumer's write-up a few years back indicated several knots (5-7, IIRC) gained on a 20J with the Lopresti cowl.  It would seem that the increase should be greater yet on an F, since the J cowl was a big source of its speed increase.

[N207LS]

I have the ARI mod on my 68 G.  This does make it look a lot more like a 201 cowl than the others that only close one side.  My mod was done when I bought the plane, so I am not sure of his actual cost (with installation).  The only drawback is that it is fiberglass and with time had a few cracks.  When I had the plane repainted, we did all of the fiberglass repairs from the back side.  It is now crack free and I hope that it stays that way.  There are pics of the mod in my gallery.  Best of luck

Aaron

[Guest Anonymous]

Quote: N207LS

I have the ARI mod on my 68 G.  This does make it look a lot more like a 201 cowl than the others that only close one side.  My mod was done when I bought the plane, so I am not sure of his actual cost (with installation).  The only drawback is that it is fiberglass and with time had a few cracks.  When I had the plane repainted, we did all of the fiberglass repairs from the back side.  It is now crack free and I hope that it stays that way.  There are pics of the mod in my gallery.  Best of luck

Aaron

[N207LS]

I have a couple of good photos on my gallery, N207LS, then Tejas Aero Services folder.  My cowl has had the washers in place since I bought the plane.  They are the dimple washers on all 4 screws.  I assumed that it was how it came originally.  I did not do the mod, as it was done by the former owner.  The only prolem that I did have was some cracking issues (that are now all corrected since the paint job and fiberglass work from the back side of the mod).  Sorry that I couldn't be more help.

Aaron