I'd seen some listing it as a TSIO-550-B, which is 350 hp, same as the Mirage, but a Malibu is lighter. But digging deeper, it looks like the 550 is flat-rated to 310 for the Malibu STC, so it looks like the Mirage should do better on short fields.

I’m confident based on the responses I can make either one work - but fuel specifics alone would lead me to pursue a Malibu vs. a Mirage.

Has anyone converted a Mirage to a Continental engine?

The newer Mirage airframe has some nice enhancements.

Using the POH a 310hp TSIO-520 Malibu at gross weight using the technique Chuck referenced has a ground roll of 1450ft (STD Day, Gross Weight, No Wind).

The POH for a Mirage says under the same conditions the takeoff ground roll is 1100ft (I'm using a 2002 POH revision for these numbers).

Several Malibus are upgraded from the TSIO-520 to TSIO-550C engine which is supposed to be de-rated to 310hp at 2600rpm by limiting the MP to 35.5". However this motor minus the oil sump, I believe is the same as the TSIO-550E motor which is rated at 350hp at 2700rpm at 38.5". As a result some people do have the fuel and MP turned up to 38.5" at 2600rpm which would be shy of 350hp (I have not done this).

The benefit of the TSIO550C in my opinion is push everything to the wall and you can leave it there even in the climb, where Mirage and stock 520 Malibus have a MCP that is used for climb.

As for the speed aspect, I was told the stock Malibu was always a bit faster than the Mirage when using POH power settings (POH confirms this). The TSIO550C are even faster yet as they can run at 85% of 310hp (which is about 75% of 350hp).

I have a photo of TSIO550C Malibu on a +15 ISA day at FL230 at 218ktas on 16.5gph (this was a test bird with the new SureFly mag installed). It was running 32.0" at 2450rpm. I'd guess my 550 Malibu would be about 212ktas as I have the underwing radar pod installed (which almost all Mirages have installed). The test plane I reference has the 3 bladed Hartzell installed, I have the old style 4 bladed MT installed.

If you use POH numbers for FL230 the Mirage would run 202KTAS and the stock Malibu would run 211KTAS at FL230. A 550 Malibu would be faster yet as it allows a higher MCP power setting which explains the 218KTAS.

They're all great planes. Speed rarely is a topic discussed amongst the piston crowd. Managing the climb and descent will probably have a bigger impact on block times than the few knots difference at altitude.

I dunno what the newer Mirages have? The spar wasn't a weak point, it's a manufacturing optimization at Piper. The 1988 Malibus vs a M350 system-wise ain't much different and a few STC exist to bring the systems up to nearly identical outside of the powerplant.
I'd take a dual 500TXi dual GTN750Xi over a G?000NXi setup (at least I can manage my pressurization much better than Chuck can :p ).
I'll take my R-12 AC over the newer R-134 system. Both are undersized, but R-12 makes 100F and 100% humidity tolerable.
Maybe the overhead switch panel? I also know a Malibu that's getting that overhead switch panel installed. I know of a Malibu with a Meridian interior.

Just note, most good to great Malibus get sold private party and rarely make the web. In fact I just got a postcard from someone Boston Mass with a photo of his three cute babies under a PA-46 wing asking if he could buy my Malibu. My wife thought it was a perfect heart strings tug to try and find a Malibu. I applaud the creativity, but I get a private request to purchase my plane probably every month.

Good Luck!

Upgrades were electric flaps, better landing hear hydraulic system and an increased GW.

Some of the latest Malibus got the flap and gear upgrades.

Also the heated glass windshield appears to be a very desirable (and expensive) upgrade and came standard on the Mirage.

I appreciate all the insight. I think a Malibu would work very well for our needs. First I need a bigger hangar as the Malibu won’t fit in what I have...

I’m in the process of attempting to relocate (my 13 years on a hangar waiting list may finally come to fruition soon). Of course I won’t have any say in the hangar I get - although some are big enough for the Malibu.

If it doesn’t work out that’s okay too. My ‘76 A36 with the TAT TN 550 provides Malibu type performance without the pressurization, A/C and FIKI certification (and a bit less room).

We’ll see.....

I love the Malibus. They will let you spend all the money you want on those mods though.

My 84 has...

Heated windshield
Conti 550
Four Blade Hartzel, better than stock 2 blade. (3 blade is best but way expensive)
Long range fuel ports (my longest flight 7.5 hours)
Speed Brakes (hydraulic)
Pilot Seat Extension
Tail Ice Light
Radar Pod.

I will be selling in spring because who really needs 3 airplanes.

Probably half of the Malibu's have electric flaps and the new gear system. The swtich was made mid 1986. There are a few electric flap and old hydraulic ones.

The original hotplate system is very rare. most have been converted. And regardless it's a $20K part (or was 10 years ago) that takes 80 hours to install and it lasts about 10 years.

Between the engine weight and increased fuel burn, I would call the GW increased but not improved.

Old thread, new option from AvFab...
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Here's a link to our web page and a video explaining the upgrade process.
https://avfab.com/products/view/piper-p ... m600-m700/