bryn
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,913
|
|
|
Lots of use. real life running facts. Gosh i hope i get more than 13mpg out of my 2wd 3.5 v8 sierra (hoping for 25)! If you're driving down hill with a tail wind, you might get that figure... If that's how you're thinking I'd give up now I've got two LPG equipped vehicles, and my advice to anybody is buy one first with a kit fitted, see how you like it and go from there. Filling up isn't a problem, you soon get to know the stations in your area and there's numerous booklet/maps available with nationwide listings. Although as MrC said, leaning on a button for ten minutes can get tedious, until you see how much money you're saving. LPG is said to be capped on price until 2010, the large fuel retailers did a deal with the government so there investment in new pumps (which has been implimented over the last couple of years) would be protected by a steady flow of conversions and customers. The government get to look green and we get our cheap fuel. Both my 2.3ltr Volvo and 3.5 BMW suffer from a performance drop on LPG, the BMW especially. But at any time you're no more than a flick of a switch from normal petrol power. On LPG the Volvo does about 20mpg and 24mpg on normal unleaded, mixed driving, the BMW 20mpg on unleaded and 16.5mpg on LPG. There are numerous different systems available, all dependent on your model of engine, induction etc. I've never been asked for an installation certificate for insurance purposes, although when I sell the Volvo soon I'll be expecting to have to show it. Give it a go, it all depends on your personal mileage versus cost and proposed time you expect to keep the vehicle.
|
|
Volvo, Buggy, Discovery and an old tractor.
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for the facts Bryn, we can all weigh it up if any of decide to go for it. Bit optomistic about my economy expectations I know and MPG shouldn't come into V8 ownership, but at 95p a litre its hard to forget I read original SD1's did/do over 20MPG, and my car weighs very little. thats kinda where the guestimate came from for long run. proof in the pudding this summer if it gets done. fingers crossed
|
|
it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
|
|
bryn
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,913
|
|
|
Good luck with it, LPG on a rover can work well, my mate with the Land Rover hot rod runs it solely on the stuff... Oh and forgot to mention, although it's got a higher octane rating than petrol, it's got a lower calorific value... So cleaner burn, but less power as my rather simple understanding of it translates...
|
|
Last Edit: Apr 4, 2006 18:03:29 GMT by bryn
Volvo, Buggy, Discovery and an old tractor.
|
|
|
|
|
Cheers, if I hang onto the V8, i think an LPG kit could be on the christmas list! Blownimp gave a technical explaination. and that thing i read that i think was one of PPC's Will Holmans cars as far as i can remember was interesting, says the car can be tuned for the LPG.
|
|
it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
|
|
|
|
|
I've installed LPG systems on three cars now (all Mercs). To buy the bits for an open loop (i.e. basic) system will cost about £500. It is a weekends work to fit, and you then need to get it certified. Not any installers are happy to certify someone elses work though - I guess I am just lucky to know a few installers.
I have not bothered doing my 560, as it is supposed to be a weekend car and is only insured for 3000 miles a year anyway, but I will convert our Dodge camper as soon as it hits British shores, as this will hopefully be doing many miles around Europe this summer. I have loads of bits kicking about in the garage (mixers / solenoids / controller etc), so I think the whole system will owe me about £200 maximum. Bargain!
|
|
There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes
|
|