Looks like it I am going to propane. I have been searching quietly, wondering if this would be a good option for me.
I think looking at all the costs of putting the 1.6 in that propane might actually cost me less, which is good! This rig is a trailer queen so no problems there...
I'm psyched. Anyone out there with propane experience? I'm looking for any input other than what I have searched.
BTW... I have a 8v fuel injection set-up for sale now...
Only successful propane injections I have seen performed were on diesels. Its like nitrous to those jokers. I've rode in a buncha HD diesel trucks with them and was impressed big time. Given you had a 8v FI for sale tells me your strapping this onto a gas powered engine???
Given you had a 8v FI for sale tells me your strapping this onto a gas powered engine???
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No, I am converting the engine to run on propane only.
I like it for many reasons...
*No fuel pump
*It is a very safe set-up
*Little to no maintenance
*Engines last longer
*With my setup I do not need to adapt my harness any longer
*I need parts still to finish my EFI set-up all of which could add up to close of what it will cost me to convert to LPG.
*It's something different, I like that.
Be aware that propane can eat some types of stock engine gaskets over time since it's "dry" compared to gasoline . I've seen a couple of Chevy's nearly burn to the ground from this . If you are running propane only , shouldn't be too much of a problem . The vehicles that really had the issues were dual fuel units ...
Sarge
Dale,
You burn a bit more prop than gas since the Fuel value of prop is a bit lower, and the cost
of prop for your BBQ does not = the cost for a vehicle, They must add the road tax's. On
the other hand prop doesn't have the "mood" swings on price that gas does. Prop is harder
to find for fuel stations .
back in high school my buddies truck ran on propane.
it was a ford 390 i believe. he would have to get propane like once every month or 2 depending. he would go out to an rv place to get the propane because it was cheaper than going somewhere like uhaul.
NICE! That should be sweet when is all said and done. Are you gonna prop. inject the 1.3 or a 1.6? We ran a propane injection setup on our push vehicle at tech. school years back (chebby 350 BTW) and worked well. Was a bit thirstier,as mentioned above. I think Daxe is looking for some 1.6l stuff...
Be aware that propane can eat some types of stock engine gaskets over time since it's "dry" compared to gasoline .
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From what I have read that doesn't seem to be an issue on a propane only rig.
In reply to:
Wonder what the cost per mile is to run a propane only rig, compared to a gasoline rig? Any idea?
Any idea as to what it would cost to convert?
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There is a kit available for suzukis... here is on of the sites I have referenced. http://www.gotpropane.com/p4.html I can get most of the parts locally for less. Today I am going to search "real" costs when I find out more I'll chime in.
In reply to:
You burn a bit more prop than gas since the Fuel value of prop is a bit lower, and the cost
of prop for your BBQ does not = the cost for a vehicle
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From what I have seen around my area the price is not only less than filling a BBQ tank(the volume cost) but much less than gasoline. They best bet is to fill at a large filling station rather than a place that does BBQ tanks. The taxes are less as well as the cost of fuel.
In reply to:
Prop is harder to find for fuel stations .
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There are more places around that can fill than you think, the issue not running out or not being prepared if you do. I am going to have two tanks and keep one on my tow vehicle or in my garage. For the amount that the Samurai will be used in comparison I think propane will be efficient enough.
I hear the trick to high efficiency is to accomodate for the 100-110 octane of the propane.
I run with a number of guys (no Sami's) that run propane and it's something I really want to do. The 1 drawback I heard is a bit of power loss, they say you lose about 20% on an unchanged engine (you can go higher compression pistons to get that power bback).
I've researched and could do for about $300 + tank. Let us know what you think when you do it..I'm very interested
Ok, I am a certified propane installer in Texas... I have had a Ford 460 one ton with Propane conversion- in fact it was strict propane- close to half a million miles- never a problem besides an occassional rebuild of a part that would convert the liquid propane to a vapor - vaporizer... Failure to maintain that vital part can cause massive problems- fire, internal engine explosion that is much more than just a typical internal combustion!
Only thing is when you do it via do it yourself, as you are suppose to be a certified installer and the state - which ever you live in requires a federal sticker on your vehicle stating its propane conversion- propane companies will not fill your tank if your not stickered with this decal... and you cant use your typical bbq tank to fuel the vehicle on the road- has to meet federal road and safety standards... and you have to be certified to get the sticker...
The propane tends to be better on large stroked engines- the smaller engines is a minute less in performance- get more power out of the stroked engines when using propane...
thats funny !!!!! im live in arkansas trust me they would let you runn a car off toxic waste here.. as for the fill stations i have propane fork lifts i get the bottle field all the time no questions asked .. freind of mine runs his farm trucks the never sak him 4 anything nither do the guys in town that are direct shooting it into there diesils for more HP
I am not worried about the cert. I have a gas account with my local provider and where my mom works they fill RV tanks (Not BBQ tanks). Luckily I live in a small town so I won't have any problems and when the vehicle gets trailered out of town I will bring extra LP with me.
Good thinking though...
Performance wise on the 1.3 or 1.6 I hear that pumping up the compression will give me about the same results as a gas 16 valve. That is all the power I'll need.
I think the biggest benefit even if the power is less is the simplicity of it all. I am getting rid of some of the headache of the wiring, ecu, etc...
Edit: Just got this info... IF the tank is stickered (I am using forklift tanks) then I can bring it to any LP dealer and get it filled without problems. This came from an LP guy but I really won't know until I try to fill one.
ok, forklift bottles are not considered to be used for automotive road use (and are regularly filled with no problem)- important thing about using them- set up so your getting liquid feed to vaporizer...
Wouldnt want to get caught with one (forklift bottle on an automotive application) in my state on any vehicle Im driving- hefty fines... the sticker (required for refilling at LP stations) that I was referring too is usually placed on the windshield... fillers usually dont ask to see it- its in plain sight on the windshield (and I am not talking the blue LP triangle sticker)...
over here, last year- a filler filled two of these type tanks for the same type use (forklift bottles on a car)- turned out to be a sting operation by railroad commission- $10,000 fine per tank... My stations have turned several away- in fear of being a sting. The tanks that are required for automotive use are relatively cheap... remember propane weighs about 4 pounds per gallon... but those little tanks for automotive use are heavy empty- heavy gauge metal!
Hey Brent any good links you could give us for info on this..?
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