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baalamb20
Fully Licenced
115 Posts
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 Posted - 15 Aug 2006 : 11:04:15 AM
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Hi guys,
I'm thinking of converting my Vn to Gas, is anyone here thinking of doing the same? what are your thoughts and does anyone have any info on how the car handles and is there any loss of power?
thanks.
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mouce
National Driver
1525 Posts
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Posted - 15 Aug 2006 : 6:46:48 PM
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I've worked on VN's with and without gas. So long as it's done properly there's no issues. A couple of things to remember though:
1) Unless you feel like replacing your air box, don't go anywhere near the accelerator when you start it. Even a little throttle opening can cause a big backfire through the air intake system, which blows crap out of your air box.
2) If you're going to run gas most of the time (and why wouldn't you) make sure you get the car retuned specifically for LPG, so long as you do that you'll have no problems with a loss of power, actually it is sometimes possible to get a slight increase in power when tuned for LPG.
3) Remember that no matter where you put the tank, the car will handle a bit differently because of the extra weight.
4) Unless you're going to go gas research (100% gas conversion, no petrol tank at all), make sure that you run the car on ulp or pulp for at least 10 minutes a week, it just helps to keep the seals in the engine happy, LPG is a very 'harsh' fuel on seals. Running ulp through it just keeps them a bit healthier.
5) Make sure the cooling system is in perfect working order. LPG burns hotter than petrol, and places a hell of a lot more strain on the cooling system, I'd suggest a full flush and pressure test just to make sure.
6) At the next service get engine oil and spark plugs specifically designed to run with LPG.
Just keep in mind that for all that gas is cheaper, you do also use more of it per 100km that you would petrol, last time I did the calculation I would have to have been doing in excess of 25000km a year for it to pay for itself in 5 years. For me I know it's not worth it, if you've got your heart set on it, go nuts...keep in mind that servicing might get a tad more expensive because of the gas system. Also...I've been told (don't know for sure) that Shell LPG is worth avoiding, it's really waxy apparently, and causes problems with the gas converter sometimes. |
Bite off more than you can chew, and chew like hell - Peter Brock (1945-2006) |
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lolo
Fully Licenced
503 Posts
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Posted - 15 Aug 2006 : 11:09:08 PM
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| mate, no way Im going to LPG... gas research or whatever.... my engines gonna be gulping the high octane **** till kingdom come |
Marcus Rogulic R.I.P (1980-2007)
"The Good Die Young" |
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mouce
National Driver
1525 Posts
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Posted - 15 Aug 2006 : 11:48:53 PM
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As lolo helpfully pointed out, LPG is probably not the way to go if you plan on 'working' your engine. It's okay on a stock motor, but if you plan on making things a bit more spicy under the bonnet, I'd say stay away from it. Other people may want to shout me down for saying that, but I stand by it.
Anyway lolo, you should just about need to run your beast on avgas when you're done LOL. |
Bite off more than you can chew, and chew like hell - Peter Brock (1945-2006) |
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baalamb20
Fully Licenced
115 Posts
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Posted - 16 Aug 2006 : 12:01:19 AM
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| Nah I think I will leave it as it is, seems a little too good to be true, and knowing the backyard mechanics around my area I wouldn't trust and Holden would probably charge the earth. Don't know what the petrol Prices are in Melbourne but here at the moment its around 138.9 and 50cents per litre is going to tax so there is plenty the government can do. If worse comes to worse i may have to sell the ole girl. |
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mouce
National Driver
1525 Posts
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Posted - 16 Aug 2006 : 10:41:58 AM
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In Melbourne yesterday it was 135.9 near me, or 142.9 for PULP and LPG was about 52. And yeah, you're right about 50c from petrol prices goes in tax, but hey...what can you do?
It might sound crazy (and sorry if I've asked you this already in another thread), have you tried running PULP? I, and a lot of other people, have found that running PULP in our VN mean that we can go further on the same amount of fuel, and it's worth the extra few c at the bowser. Might be worth trying. Sounds a little strange I know, but I'm saving about $5-$10 a week by using PULP. Might be worth a shot. |
Bite off more than you can chew, and chew like hell - Peter Brock (1945-2006) |
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lolo
Fully Licenced
503 Posts
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Posted - 16 Aug 2006 : 11:56:44 PM
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| Vortex is around the $1.55 mark in my area @mouce we'll be trying some sunoco 16 or something for drags |
Marcus Rogulic R.I.P (1980-2007)
"The Good Die Young" |
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