Retrofit lights into a patrol and 160hp performance questions

[MTFly2065]

How hard would it be to retrofit lights (legal for night flight) into a completed patrol? I've been glancing at a patrol that does not have lights. It does have an existing electrical system. Those of you owners and builders care to comment?

Any performance concerns with the 160hp 0-320? seems to be a lot in this configuration for it to be an issue. currently based at 3k feet and mountains of 7k-8k foot that would need cleared regularly. Is this 180hp territory?

Thanks!

[AKKen07]

I imagine running wires for wingtip lights would be the biggest hurdle. I don't k ow how you'd do that without opening up the wing skins. Maybe a more creative person could figure that out. If you have the wires run a 3-in-1 wingtip light set would satisfy the FAA, then fabricating a landing light mount on the cowling (or some external mounted ones) would check that box. Plus more wiring.
No idea about the performance question.

[jaredyates]

I added lights to our current plane after it was flying, and it was not a big job. I ran the wires aft of the spar and could reach all of the ribs to add supports and insulating bushings through inspection holes.

A 160hp Patrol will be a very nice plane. If Bob had said you can run anything between 120hp and 180hp, 160 would still sound like a lot. Instead, he specifies a range where it will perform well, unlike Piper who was happy to sell you a 140hp Cherokee when that was clearly not enough. Look at just about any other plane in its weight class and mission and I suspect you'll see a broad range including many below 160hp.

[MTFly2065]

I added lights to our current plane after it was flying, and it was not a big job. I ran the wires aft of the spar and could reach all of the ribs to add supports and insulating bushings through inspection holes.

A 160hp Patrol will be a very nice plane. If Bob had said you can run anything between 120hp and 180hp, 160 would still sound like a lot. Instead, he specifies a range where it will perform well, unlike Piper who was happy to sell you a 140hp Cherokee when that was clearly not enough. Look at just about any other plane in its weight class and mission and I suspect you'll see a broad range including many below 160hp.

really appreciate that insight