OK so I have been looking for a good 150/160 horse Pacer for a while. Recently missed a good one in Kansas. I know I am probably being foolish, but what would it cost (ballpark) to convert one? The STC, parts and labor. And does anyone know someone with experience with the conversion...?

Try www. ShortwingPipers.org. Lots of this kind of experience there.
My theory is buy the best airplane you can afford that is in the configuration
You want. I loved my PA22/20-150.
Dave

I have always felt that these are the best planes for the money. The key though is to buy one that someone else has invested more time then anyone would ever compensate them for and more money than they ever expected to in. The cost of conversion is pretty high. I think you could build a kit plane for near the same expense and time commitment and have a more bushworthy aircraft (not that these planes are not bushworthy, they perform pretty well out in the backcountry).

Keep looking for one. I bought one in 2006 for $19000 (150hp). I sold in 2010 for $26. The only thing I did was add an alternator STC and replced the Additude indicator and turn coordinator with modern stuff and flew it often. I kick myself for selling it, but I wanted a tail wheel converted C 172, Doh!

One thing to consider is to buy one with an 0290 (135 hp) and put a 0320 or 0360 in it. That might be a little easier to deal with. Spend your money upgrading one rather than totally converting one. Just a suggestion.

obxbushpilot wrote: I have always felt that these are the best planes for the money. The key though is to buy one that someone else has invested more time then anyone would ever compensate them for and more money than they ever expected to in. The cost of conversion is pretty high. .....

Ditto. The cost thing goes for a lot of other airplane conversions too. I fly a C150/150TD but bought it pretty much as is, at least in the major details. No way I could have bought a stocker, done the engine upgrade, LR tanks, & tailwheel conversions plus painted it for what I paid.
Univair is the source for the 22/20 conversion. Their website shows the basic kit (L2200-01) at $3,249, to include Cleveland wheels & brakes add another $1,800. Not included in the basic kit are toe brakes (another $1,500 for LH only, $2,000 for both side), tailwheel (another $1,100 for an ABW 3200), and proper lower cowl (about $1,100). So you're up to about $9K by the time you check out- just for the parts, not counting your time (if you're handy) or your mechanic's time.
A couple friends of mine did one of these conversions years ago, didn't take them long & they did a fine job of it. But they are both very experienced & skilled in the airplane-wrenching department. There's been a lot of 22/20's goofed up with regards to wheel alignment, due to getting the gear attached fittings welded on in not quite the right position. I think that's where the "squirrelly Pacer" reputation comes from.
IMHO you'd be way better off to just buy one already done-- there seems to be plenty of them out there, and they seem to usually go for a pretty reasonable price. Clippwagon's Clipper (listed for sale elsewhere on this site) might be a suitable alternative if you're not gonna fly with the seats full-- worth a look anyway.

Send me a pm with your contact information and I can hook you up with a friend selling a virtually new 150hp clipper just recently completely restored. ~50 hours on the total rebuild.

There are actually two STCs to convert a PA-22 nosedragger into a PA-22/20 Taildragger. Univair has one and I have the other. I am just now getting back into production to supply kits. My kit will be less that Univair but not cheap. I think Univair is quite overpriced and I will price based on cost rather than what I can force people to pay. If you decide to make the investment let me know and I’ll get you a quote.

As for the airplane after the conversion, yes it makes a great bush plane. There are a couple of other changes needed to make it that great bush plane but they are not nearly as expencive as the taildrager upgrade.

Rick
Raven Rviation
Kern Valley Airport "L05"

Apparently there are at least three conversion STC's.

http://www.trimmeraviation.com/gear.html

Troy Hamon wrote:Apparently there are at least three conversion STC's.

http://www.trimmeraviation.com/gear.html

This one's interesting. One of a kind gear, I guesss it's PA18 but with oleo's in place of bungees. The webiste doesn't mention about rudder pedals, t/w attach, handles, etc.