LPG conversions for classics
Discussion
Twincam16 said:
I'm not talking about necessarily commuting in it, I'm just conjecturing that, say if you were to take your car on a very long journey, it might be much cheaper running on LPG. I'm thinking a big cross-continental European run or something (then again, can you get LPG everywhere?)
The ferry and channel tunnel operators are not too keen on LPG converted cars, so you might have problems getting to mainland Europe in the first place.
I have a book on Propane/LPG conversions, yes you generally do keep the gasoline carb but have an additional "carb" or vaporizer for the Propane. Propane requires very good valve sealing for some reason so an engine that might otherwise not require a valve job might need one.
Something that has not been mentioned is that this extra carb setup is usually pretty damn ugly, I would not want this kind of rig on my MG or M3.
Propane conversion is most practical in a pickup truck where you can put the extra tank in or under the bed. On most cars you end up putting it in the trunk and to do this right you have to build a sort of fire-wall. The tank needs to be "outdoors" or in a compartment that's sealed off from the passenger cab.
On the plus side Propane is something like 103 octane so you can optimize an engine for it with pretty high compression. It's very clean burning and your engine oil seems to stay like new. Propane engines, if set up right, seem to last about forever.
I can see where you are coming from, I just don't like a car that's a gas hog, even if it racks up very few miles it just offends my sensibilities as an engineer. But most gas hogs can be made usefully more economical with proper tuning, synthetic lubes, a better ignition system for the old rigs with points, etc.
I think you would be better served by selecting a classic that's not so thirsty to begin with rather than converting something to Propane. MGB anyone? Not enough poke for you? Get one with the V8 then, if properly set up with 3.08 rearset they can cruise quiet economically if you have the iron will to keep your foot out of it. Full dose of Jekyll, full dose of Hyde available too...
Something that has not been mentioned is that this extra carb setup is usually pretty damn ugly, I would not want this kind of rig on my MG or M3.
Propane conversion is most practical in a pickup truck where you can put the extra tank in or under the bed. On most cars you end up putting it in the trunk and to do this right you have to build a sort of fire-wall. The tank needs to be "outdoors" or in a compartment that's sealed off from the passenger cab.
On the plus side Propane is something like 103 octane so you can optimize an engine for it with pretty high compression. It's very clean burning and your engine oil seems to stay like new. Propane engines, if set up right, seem to last about forever.
I can see where you are coming from, I just don't like a car that's a gas hog, even if it racks up very few miles it just offends my sensibilities as an engineer. But most gas hogs can be made usefully more economical with proper tuning, synthetic lubes, a better ignition system for the old rigs with points, etc.
I think you would be better served by selecting a classic that's not so thirsty to begin with rather than converting something to Propane. MGB anyone? Not enough poke for you? Get one with the V8 then, if properly set up with 3.08 rearset they can cruise quiet economically if you have the iron will to keep your foot out of it. Full dose of Jekyll, full dose of Hyde available too...
M3 Mitch said:
On the plus side Propane is something like 103 octane so you can optimize an engine for it with pretty high compression...
...I just don't like a car that's a gas hog, even if it racks up very few miles it just offends my sensibilities as an engineer.
Think in terms of thermal efficiency and energy content of the fuel, rather than volume of fuel consumed...
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