Check out this 201, Lopresti Cowel

[201er]

http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/MOONEY-M20J-201/1978-MOONEY-M20J-201/1282013.htm

 

Wow, just 85amu with lopresti cowl and 1 piece belly. No panel pic so assume the worst but that must be a really fast 201!

[Marauder]

http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/MOONEY-M20J-201/1978-MOONEY-M20J-201/1282013.htm Wow, just 85amu with lopresti cowl and 1 piece belly. No panel pic so assume the worst but that must be a really fast 201!

Speaking of fast Mooneys, you ever figure out why your's is not? I saw Brett's videos and he has a quick bird. I don't know what year his is, but it is on par with the later model Js. Wassup with your's?

[PTK]

Are there any real life speed numbers for the J Lopresti cowl? I know they claim 7mph or 6 knots.

I've never seen any basis for it. Does anyone know?

But even if we believe the 6 knots assertion, on a good day it's probably more like 2 or 3 knots.

The question now becomes just how much are a few knots worth?

Personally I love my classic J cowl!

[scottfromiowa]

Throttle quadrant, wing tips, passenger air system, split back seats...I will take an 84 and newer J over a 78 thank you

[scottfromiowa]

Are there any real life speed numbers for the J Lopresti cowl? I know they claim 7mph or 6 knots.

I've never seen any basis for it. Does anyone know?

But even if we believe the 6 knots assertion, on a good day it's probably more like 2 or 3 knots.

The question now becomes just how much are a few knots worth?

Personally I love my classic J cowl!

Need a hug....virtual hug...

York plane looks great doc

[PTK]

Thanks Scott! X-Ray does also!

[scottfromiowa]

Hi, Scott. Neither '78 or '84 201s have the throttle quadrant. '77 was the last year for those. Early 201s often have over 100 pounds more useful load than mid 80's models. None of the niceties that you mentioned are free. Just something else to consider if you ever decide to enter the 201 market.

Jim

I also learned this weekend while dropping off plane for right tank reseal at Willmar that 83's also have the goodies...that are not "free" of weight penalty. Thanks for qualification on throttle quadrant. Arrow had it and prefer vernier. Other goodies for me and newer airframe...if I am dreaming trump useful load.

[marks]

About a year ago I had quite a talk with Mr. LoPresti (the son).  He told me that the speed claim for the Mooney cowling was fully based on the premise that to get the full speed effect you'd have to be using the "ram-air" system at altitudes above 10,000 ft.  It's easier to get a few more knots when the indicated airspeed is a little lower and the increased manifold pressure on a percentage basis is a little higher.  He was very forthcoming and his idea of flying without the ram air system in operation at lower altitudes would be more like 2 or 3 mph.

[DaV8or]

This is a plane that is worthy of spending the money to get the avionics replaced. Not at all crazy about the paint job though...

[aviatoreb]

http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/MOONEY-M20J-201/1978-MOONEY-M20J-201/1282013.htm

 

Wow, just 85amu with lopresti cowl and 1 piece belly. No panel pic so assume the worst but that must be a really fast 201!

 

There is an M20J with the lopresti cowl that comes to my airport periodically as a transient.  Its even more attractive in person.  Looks a bit like a kissing fish-face that lower circle, but despite I just said that, it looks very attractive and fast standing still on the ground.

 

I like that red paint job with blue and white stripes.

[teethdoc]

I'm partial to the Lopresti Cowel. see my avatar

[Bennett]

LoPresti cowl:

[Marauder]

That RAM air opening is something... Something I wouldn't want. Looks like someone puckering up for a kiss.

[Bennett]

What RAM AIR opening? That's my canon, synchronized to fire through the prop. Don't mess with Mooneys.

Actually, it does add about 1" of manifold pressure at 9000', and a bit more lower.

[KSMooniac]

The LoPresti ram air on a J actually works as opposed to the factory version.  Years ago I remember seeing a LoPresti STC package for some Piper that used a special prop with a trailing edge tab located near the hub that lined up with a ram air inlet, and indexed the prop such that the tab passed the opening at the right time to push more air into the induction system and it was good for 2" MAP IIRC.  Very cool idea I thought.  No idea if it is still around.

[Bennett]

I saw one of those props and wondered what the trailing edge tabs were for.

[rbridges]

This is a plane that is worthy of spending the money to get the avionics replaced. Not at all crazy about the paint job though...

 

 

my thoughts exactly.  just a personal thing, but I don't care for the solid color paint jobs.

[jetdriven]

The LoPresti ram air on a J actually works as opposed to the factory version. Years ago I remember seeing a LoPresti STC package for some Piper that used a special prop with a trailing edge tab located near the hub that lined up with a ram air inlet, and indexed the prop such that the tab passed the opening at the right time to push more air into the induction system and it was good for 2" MAP IIRC. Very cool idea I thought. No idea if it is still around.

I flew in a LoPresti cowled 201 a couple weeks ago. At 4000 feet it would add 1 inch of manifold pressure. It went to 27", which, on that day, was 1' above ambient pressure. He routinely flies it at FL180 and FL200. At those altitudes it adds 1/2", which is still a few horsepower above what it could make assuming no intake tract losses. 1/2" of MP is a lot when you only can develop 10-12" at those altitudes. It does nothing for takeoff and climb. It needs airspeed to function.

[fantom]

I too, have flown both, and without using the ram air, it was maybe a knot or two faster at 8,000 ft, everything else being equal.

 

Reports are that the quality of the new kit fit and finish, if you can get one, has fallen off, and installation is a pain. But they do look good, and that's all that counts.

[KSMooniac]

I too, have flown both, and without using the ram air, it was maybe a knot or two faster at 8,000 ft, everything else being equal.

 

Reports are that the quality of the new kit fit and finish, if you can get one, has fallen off, and installation is a pain. But they do look good, and that's all that counts.

 

Ed _____ flew to Maxwell's on the 8th in a beautiful J N555ED that had a LoPresti Cowl.  I queried him briefly about it and he had it installed by LoPresti and it looked/fit perfectly.  The windscreen fairing and new nose gear doors looked great too.  I don't know when he had it done, though.

[fantom]

That installation had to be some time ago, Scott. I've seen Ed's plane also. Just ask Maxwell what he thinks about the current Lopresti cowling

[KSMooniac]

Gary, I asked that question years ago... and I don't have one on my plane.  

[fantom]

Gary, I asked that question years ago... and I don't have one on my plane.  

 

Sad, but true....me too.

 

Asked many time of many different Lopresti cowl owners, and most say they wouldn't do it again, even those who had insurance pick up most of the bill. I even talked to Roy Lopresti about it over lunch years ago, and he said it was the design they should of had on the first 201, if wind tunnel science and testing were advanced enough, but as a $15K retrofit, it was an extremely hard sell to justify.

[Bennett]

Mine came already installed when I bought my J. Nice installation, and I really like the Ram Air design, but I wouldn't spend the 15,000 plus installation for it. Fit and finish are excellent and I am glad to have it.

[Bennett]

And I really like the "Boon Beam" installed in the LoPresti cowl