Switching to LPG

[davew]

Has anybody had their car converted to run on LPG?

I'm considering getting my Saab 9-3 Aero converted and looking for any opinions and information.

[Buzz Billsberry]

You can buy self install kits starting from £600+VAT My Brother bought one (£900) for his 58 plate Range Rover. It reasonably easy to install then you take it to a test station (Various sites round UK) Its checked over by a professional installer they then give you certificate to confirm installation’ meets required standards and bobs your T-pot

Just do a serach on goggle etc

Buzz

[Kevin Wood]

I converted my Vauxhall Omega 3.2 V6 myself. There are some pictures Here which hopefully show what's involved in a conversion.

Cost about £700 for the whole 6 cylinder kit including tank, pipes and all fittings. it'll be a bit less if you go for a single hole cylinder tank and a little bit more if you go for a toroidal "spare wheel" style tank. A bit less for a 4 pot, a bit more for a V8, etc.

If you would like details of the supplier of the kits, drop me a PM.

I've been running on LPG for about 18 months now. Fuel cost per mile is around 13p for my car, a saving of almost 10p per mile.

There's no noticeable difference in performance. A little hesitant when changing up at >5k RPM because the LPG injectors are a bit lazy for high engine speeds. That could be fixed by switching over to petrol at >5k, for example.

Kevin

[Kevin Wood]

By the way: the prices I quoted included VAT.

Kevin

[ambo]

http://www.my90.co.uk/lpg/index.php

Loads of good info above! If you are going to get it installed by a firm, try and find one via recommendation, as there are sharks around...LPGA approved or not!

Well worth it though, as long as you're going to keep the car long enough to make it pay.

Had my Impreza WRX converted nearly 2 years ago and done 23,000 miles since.

Conversion cost nearly recouped now, so soon going to be enjoying paying £29 for a tank of gas with range of around 250 miles instead of £58 for super unleaded!

Mines been on a rolling road at 222bhp on petrol and 212bhp on gas, with no noticeable difference to drive.

You should find out how easily you can buy LPG locally and on your journeys, as it not as readily available as petrol, but varies alot!

Pm me if you want any other info, Nick

[dombanks]

kev is there any reason for the orientation of the nozzel. how did you decide to put it there?

did the kit come with instructions on how to fit?

[samcooke]

I have an LPG 316i BMW ****box executive estate car and it's great, it does 35-40mpg on gas, so 70-80mpg equivalent. We also have an LPG Toyota Landcruiser for towing. The kit was installed at 40,000 miles, it's now done 170,000 with no hiccups. It actually runs better on gas than on petrol.

Use http://www.tinleytech.co.uk/ to buy the kit and they'll inspect it and certify if once you've installed it. The install is very, very simple.

[cast iron]

LPG is aggresive, we have done back to back dyno testing and the valve seats do wear quicker, tightening the valve clearances. you need to check your VC's every 10 K else you may hit trouble.

You also need to notify your insurance company that your carrying pressurised gas.

[davew]

Currently looking at getting a BRC SEQUENTIAL  £1600   dedicated turbo system from these people

GAS4CARS

A friend had his 95 Aero done and recommends them quite highly.

[dombanks]

what sort of milage do you guys do so to make the money back?

i was doing a basic back of a fag packet calculation and roughly speaking i thought it would take a good few years to break even when you do average 12-14K per year

[Kevin Wood]

what sort of milage do you guys do so to make the money back?

i was doing a basic back of a fag packet calculation and roughly speaking i thought it would take a good few years to break even when you do average 12-14K per year

Saving 10p a mile mine was paid back in 7k miles, or about 5 months. Obviously a less thirsty car will take longer, as will one that does less miles. For a decent professional install (beware of cowboys) you're probably looking at £1500-£2500 so obviously the payback interval is much longer.

Kevin

[T.G.G.]

Been reading this with interest as thinking of converting SWMBO car to gas.

What is the reduction in VED for a gas car.Checking the various sites it seems it is only between

£10 and £20  for cars registered after 2001 so no great reductions.

Anyone who has actually done a conversion on a 2Litre know the exact figure??.

[ambo]

Been reading this with interest as thinking of converting SWMBO car to gas.

What is the reduction in VED for a gas car.Checking the various sites it seems it is only between

£10 and £20  for cars registered after 2001 so no great reductions.

Anyone who has actually done a conversion on a 2Litre know the exact figure??.

Mine was £15 quid cheaper this year, pays for a litre of flashlube!

The savings are on the gas though, mines 40% cheaper overall

[dombanks]

has it changed enough yet to overcome the calorific value diference between the two fuels so they both return the same mpg?