Saw on LoPresti's web site they now have Turbo Arrow Cowling STC'd and video showing/talking about the cowl. Not sure how long it has been approved or what the cost is, although I suspect it is fairly recent. Have sent them an email inquiring on cost.
Anyone have any more info over and above what is available on their web site?
UPdate. Appears a press release was issued 9/24. No response back from my email to them yet, but have pasted the press release below.
Vero Beach, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/24/2007 -- LoPresti Speed Merchants announces that it delivering its new Piper Turbo Arrow Cowling. LoPresti’s new cowling makes use of the new cooling air inlets and a cowl flap to improve engine temperature control.
Typically the cooling air inlets are designed for climb configuration. Designing inlets this way leads to a drag penalty because the inlet size required for the climb is larger than for cruise. The larger the inlet the larger the drag. The pressure drop across the engine can also be modulated by the cowl flap to fit conditions. This provides the pilot with more engine temperature options to fit high temperature conditions or high altitude conditions. There is also less chance of shock cooling the engine in a fast decent. Cylinder head temperatures are also much more uniform. The cowling is constructed from carbon fiber/ fiberglass vinyl ester composite making for a light, stiff, long lasting cowling. The cowling nose bowl is also removable to improve maintainability. The kit lists for $6995 and is complete with cowling, nose bowl, cowl flap, hardware, STC and all necessary documentation. Ready for immediate delivery.
About LoPresti Aviation
With certifications on 228 different models, providing for over 72,000 aircraft, LoPresti is the industry leader in HID lighting for aviation and has installed thousands of aftermarket kits. Roy LoPresti was responsible for the design and manufacture of more successful airplanes than any designer in aviation history. Mooney, Grumman, Beech, Piper, each company laid claim for a time to producing the works of his creative mind. In 1991, the legendary engineer formed LoPresti Speed Merchants, located in Vero Beach, Florida. With more than 40 Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) and Parts Manufacturing Authorizations (PMAs), plus patents and copyrights, LoPresti Aviation leads the way in performance and innovation time and again.
Got an email back from Lo Presti. Here is the info. Sounds interesting.
They just returned from NBAA convention and will be at AOPA so anyone going there can probably get more info first hand.
Email text:
Anyway - to answer your questions I am outlining more detailed information concerning our new Turbo-Arrow cowling below:
LoPresti’s new Turbo Arrow cowling kit solves a couple of the most persistent problems in these popular Pipers: poor engine cooling and less than stellar durability of the stock Piper components.
Of course, being LoPresti, we wouldn’t want to solve these problems if we couldn’t do it with a certain flair: The trademark low drag circular inlets which we introduced to GA aircraft way back in the early 90’s flow smoothly into a sculpted composite structure consisting of an ultra-tough carbon fiber core sandwiched between multiple layers of fiberglass, guaranteeing that this upgrade will be both beautiful AND durable.
In actual flight tests, with a JPI equipped airplane, our new cowl lowered cylinder head temperatures by an average of more than 20O, and also dramatically reduced the wide variation in temperatures between individual cylinders, which can only have a positive effect on engine reliability and longevity.
The cowl kit comes with brand new, carbon fiber lower skins and nose-bowl which completely replace the old, worn fiberglass parts on the stock cowling. The original metal upper skin, spinner, landing light housing and nose gear doors are retained. Also included with the kit are: a fully adjustable cowl flap, new engine baffle seals and a quick release door which covers the gascolator assembly.
The complete component kit for this enhancement costs $6,995.00 and requires approximately 30 - 35 hours of labor to install. A 50% deposit will reserve a new cowling for your airplane with delivery 30 - 45 days after order.
I can't believe it takes 30 - 35 hours to remove and replace the entire current cowling. Is this new cowling a fully-manufactured part? If so, what would my mechanic do for 30 -35 hours?
My 78 Turbo Arrow had the Lopresti wing root fairings, spats, splitters, and hub caps already installed when I purchased the aircraft. I can truly say that they do not provide any increase in speed compared with the flight school Arrow that I flew for my ratings. I wouldn't drop 10 Grand on this cowling assuming their claims of increased cooling are similar to those claims of increased speed associated with their speed mods.
Well, given all the hub bub from you great T-Arrow owners about LoPresti's cowling being both expensive to buy, expensive to install and of some dubious benefits, I did take a look at their website and the video. And, well, it may be worth it.
Installation - 30 to 35 hrs does seem high, but I can see 20-25 hrs easily. Gear door exchange would be about 3-4 hrs. Baffles are notorious for being time eaters, although I'm only guessing that the LoPresti kit includes a complete baffle change out. Next, and without a doubt the real time eater is the pilot controlled cowl flap. This would entail running a cable through the firewall and through the panel. This will take time.
Benefits - T-Arrow owners, don't we all find that cooling, and in particular consistent cooling across our cylinders is a significant issue. I've been reading this forum for years and TSIO-360 cooling represents a high percentage of engine trouble posts. Improved cooling airflow during climb and cruise phases of flight would be a very beneficial thing. It would be even more beneficial if that cooling airflow reduced temps for the back cylinders.
I'm not saying that the price is worth it. I just don't know enough. But with no credible intercooler provider available to us, a new cowling with inproved flight cooling and a cowl flap would be worth investigation. I'm actually interested now. Thanks!
Speaking of intercoolers -- Has anyone heard how this cowling interacts with the AirFlow intercooler for the Turbo Arrow? I e-mailed LoPresti two weeks ago but I never heard back.
