Impreza 5 door (wagon)
Discussion
Consideriing the possibility of an Impreza estate wagon as a replacement for wifeys current car but would appreciate some advice from owners.
Firstly what is the chances of getting a dog cage in the back, as she needs the estate style for the damn dog.
Secondly I understand the turbo versions are thirsty and the "sport" models slow (Slower than a 306HDi??).
Has anyone tried an lpg conversion and if so, where does the tank go?
Thirdly, is the 4WD any real benefit in this current climate (been snow bound since friday up a country lane) or does the turbo power just cause other problems and yes I know you can take it easy with the loud pedal.
How reliable long term are they and are they any use as a tow car.
Looking at probably a 05, 06 or 07 year I guess, about up to £7k ??
Guess the alternative is a Forester but that is getting a bit big for her.
Look forward to hearing your views and guidance
Tony H
Firstly what is the chances of getting a dog cage in the back, as she needs the estate style for the damn dog.
Secondly I understand the turbo versions are thirsty and the "sport" models slow (Slower than a 306HDi??).
Has anyone tried an lpg conversion and if so, where does the tank go?
Thirdly, is the 4WD any real benefit in this current climate (been snow bound since friday up a country lane) or does the turbo power just cause other problems and yes I know you can take it easy with the loud pedal.
How reliable long term are they and are they any use as a tow car.
Looking at probably a 05, 06 or 07 year I guess, about up to £7k ??
Guess the alternative is a Forester but that is getting a bit big for her.
Look forward to hearing your views and guidance
Tony H
Skyedriver said:
Consideriing the possibility of an Impreza estate wagon as a replacement for wifeys current car but would appreciate some advice from owners.
Firstly what is the chances of getting a dog cage in the back, as she needs the estate style for the damn dog.
Secondly I understand the turbo versions are thirsty and the "sport" models slow (Slower than a 306HDi??).
Has anyone tried an lpg conversion and if so, where does the tank go?
Thirdly, is the 4WD any real benefit in this current climate (been snow bound since friday up a country lane) or does the turbo power just cause other problems and yes I know you can take it easy with the loud pedal.
How reliable long term are they and are they any use as a tow car.
Looking at probably a 05, 06 or 07 year I guess, about up to £7k ??
Guess the alternative is a Forester but that is getting a bit big for her.
Look forward to hearing your views and guidance
Tony H
Boot opening isn't huge and boot isn't big - depends on size of dog. It also has a lip unlike some estates with a flat loading bay.Firstly what is the chances of getting a dog cage in the back, as she needs the estate style for the damn dog.
Secondly I understand the turbo versions are thirsty and the "sport" models slow (Slower than a 306HDi??).
Has anyone tried an lpg conversion and if so, where does the tank go?
Thirdly, is the 4WD any real benefit in this current climate (been snow bound since friday up a country lane) or does the turbo power just cause other problems and yes I know you can take it easy with the loud pedal.
How reliable long term are they and are they any use as a tow car.
Looking at probably a 05, 06 or 07 year I guess, about up to £7k ??
Guess the alternative is a Forester but that is getting a bit big for her.
Look forward to hearing your views and guidance
Tony H
I believe LPG doesn't mix well with turbo? I could get 30mpg out of my WRX if driven (reasonably) sensibly and on A/B-roads. 33mpg if driving miss daisy.
In the snow they are excellent, still take as long to brake as a normal car but mine was brill at getting up hills etc. Really miss it at the moment and keep looking in the classifieds! I could feel the benefit of the 4wd tootling along in the rain.
Reliability can't be faulted just get one that has been looked after with loads of paperwork etc.
Not sure about a tow car, perhaps not brilliant. Mine didn't get going until the turbo kicked in, I imagine a bigger smoother lump would be better for towing? Not sure, never used it for towing - mine is an uneducated opinion!
chrisk said:
Boot opening isn't huge and boot isn't big - depends on size of dog. It also has a lip unlike some estates with a flat loading bay.
Better go and have a look with a tapemeasure and hadn't realised about the lip that is a drawback, has the forester & legacy got that too?
I believe LPG doesn't mix well with turbo? I could get 30mpg out of my WRX if driven (reasonably) sensibly and on A/B-roads. 33mpg if driving miss daisy.
MPG better than I thought. Saw a car with LPG advertised recently but only just fitted so would that be the problem??
In the snow they are excellent, still take as long to brake as a normal car but mine was brill at getting up hills etc. Really miss it at the moment and keep looking in the classifieds! I could feel the benefit of the 4wd tootling along in the rain.
It's the hills etc that we need it for so thats good.
Better go and have a look with a tapemeasure and hadn't realised about the lip that is a drawback, has the forester & legacy got that too?
I believe LPG doesn't mix well with turbo? I could get 30mpg out of my WRX if driven (reasonably) sensibly and on A/B-roads. 33mpg if driving miss daisy.
MPG better than I thought. Saw a car with LPG advertised recently but only just fitted so would that be the problem??
In the snow they are excellent, still take as long to brake as a normal car but mine was brill at getting up hills etc. Really miss it at the moment and keep looking in the classifieds! I could feel the benefit of the 4wd tootling along in the rain.
It's the hills etc that we need it for so thats good.
I put up a dog guard in my WRX wagon and cart around two large dogs in the back of mine on trips to Scotland several times a year plus all the crap we normally take with us on the back seats. It also gets me all around the UK with a boot full of tool boxes, jacks, stands and so on as i map and modify Subaru's for a living and have to take a comprehensive range of tools to do my job.
Go and have a look at one yourself and decide if it's big enough. If it isn't then try a Forester or Legacy wagon. Same Subaru solid build and reliability.
4WD is superb in any weather, specially Subaru's asymmetrical 4WD which is in 50/50 lock all the time. The WRX goes and handles well for what it is as std but if you want some more go and fuel economy (c.300 miles per tank at 60ltrs) it can be remapped very easily, and along with some inexpensive mechanical mods and you'll get a very safe 280bhp/torque which is more than enough to tow whatever you like. The turbo kicks in from 2600rpm and below that it can drive as smoothly as your granny would like. With correct mapping you can make some reasonable torque early on outside the boost range.
I cannot recommend the WRX wagon enough. I've had mine for 5yrs, i'll never sell it, and i love it!!
Go drive an Impreza, Forester, Legacy and Outback, and and tell us what you think
Go and have a look at one yourself and decide if it's big enough. If it isn't then try a Forester or Legacy wagon. Same Subaru solid build and reliability.
4WD is superb in any weather, specially Subaru's asymmetrical 4WD which is in 50/50 lock all the time. The WRX goes and handles well for what it is as std but if you want some more go and fuel economy (c.300 miles per tank at 60ltrs) it can be remapped very easily, and along with some inexpensive mechanical mods and you'll get a very safe 280bhp/torque which is more than enough to tow whatever you like. The turbo kicks in from 2600rpm and below that it can drive as smoothly as your granny would like. With correct mapping you can make some reasonable torque early on outside the boost range.
I cannot recommend the WRX wagon enough. I've had mine for 5yrs, i'll never sell it, and i love it!!
Go drive an Impreza, Forester, Legacy and Outback, and and tell us what you think
Skyedriver said:
chrisk said:
Boot opening isn't huge and boot isn't big - depends on size of dog. It also has a lip unlike some estates with a flat loading bay.
Better go and have a look with a tapemeasure and hadn't realised about the lip that is a drawback, has the forester & legacy got that too?
Better go and have a look with a tapemeasure and hadn't realised about the lip that is a drawback, has the forester & legacy got that too?
ScoobieWRX said:
if you want some more go and fuel economy (c.300 miles per tank at 60ltrs) it can be remapped very easily,
thanks ScoobyWRXmore performance not really a requirement for wife but economy is, your 300/60 figure equates to around 23mpg which will probably shock her although she isn't doing the mileage she used to.
have you seen an lpg conversion work or is there an economy remap (wisper that quietly as there will be crying on PH if everyone hears that.)
cheers
On a run i'm doing 80-90mph. I see 300 miles from a tank full at these cruising speeds. I'm sure if i were to do 70mph and stick at that it might give a bit more, but you've also got to factor in that usually on a trip to Scotland i have the dogs in the car, luggage + crap, and my partner (more luggage 
) etc... That's a lot of weight so in the grand scheme of things for the performance you get that's actually pretty good.
The more power/torque you have the less effort required to maintain or get to a certain speed. If you suddenly gain an extra 40-50ft/lb of torque you will save fuel as your accelerator pedal doesn't have to be pushed down quite so far to get the same effect.
When my WRX was standard at 218bhp i was lucky to get 250-260 miles per tank. When i mapped it to 275-280bhp i started to see c.280-290 miles per tank. When i swapped the engine out and plopped in an STi lump and now that i've mapped to 350bhp on low boost (TD05 20G) i'm seeing 300 miles per tank which as far as i'm concerned is more than pretty reasonable given the power and performance.
I've said this before and i'll say it again.....if fuel economy is an issue then do not buy any turbo charged Impreza!! It is unreasonable to expect good fuel economy and supercar humbling performance in any 4dr/5dr car. You can't have your cake and eat it!! If you think Turbo scoobs are thirsty get yourself an Audi RS4 Avant. Similar real world performance to a well modified WRX but you do need to be shadowed around by a petrol tanker all the time.
Go for a newer diesel Impreza hatch at 50mpg, or a petrol N/A Impreza sport that will give you 30-35mpg.
As for LPG converted turbo scoob...There are some about but...I think i'm going to be violently sick!!...
...Oops too late!!
) etc... That's a lot of weight so in the grand scheme of things for the performance you get that's actually pretty good.The more power/torque you have the less effort required to maintain or get to a certain speed. If you suddenly gain an extra 40-50ft/lb of torque you will save fuel as your accelerator pedal doesn't have to be pushed down quite so far to get the same effect.
When my WRX was standard at 218bhp i was lucky to get 250-260 miles per tank. When i mapped it to 275-280bhp i started to see c.280-290 miles per tank. When i swapped the engine out and plopped in an STi lump and now that i've mapped to 350bhp on low boost (TD05 20G) i'm seeing 300 miles per tank which as far as i'm concerned is more than pretty reasonable given the power and performance.
I've said this before and i'll say it again.....if fuel economy is an issue then do not buy any turbo charged Impreza!! It is unreasonable to expect good fuel economy and supercar humbling performance in any 4dr/5dr car. You can't have your cake and eat it!! If you think Turbo scoobs are thirsty get yourself an Audi RS4 Avant. Similar real world performance to a well modified WRX but you do need to be shadowed around by a petrol tanker all the time.
Go for a newer diesel Impreza hatch at 50mpg, or a petrol N/A Impreza sport that will give you 30-35mpg.
As for LPG converted turbo scoob...There are some about but...I think i'm going to be violently sick!!...
...Oops too late!!
My 2000 has been terrifically sure footed in the snow and ice. Not as fast as some of the near suicidal people I've encountered but very confidence inspiring. On the back roads in the day light with no one around it was an awful lot of fun while not being dangerous.
On my way to work following the masses I get about 28mpg and when the road is free and I can choose my own speed I get about 25mpg unless I'm really in a hurry.
On my way to work following the masses I get about 28mpg and when the road is free and I can choose my own speed I get about 25mpg unless I'm really in a hurry.
ScoobieWRX said:
The more power/torque you have the less effort required to maintain or get to a certain speed. If you suddenly gain an extra 40-50ft/lb of torque you will save fuel as your accelerator pedal doesn't have to be pushed down quite so far to get the same effect.
I don't find the GTB too much thirstier than previous NA Legacies - you only really notice the difference around town, or when you're playing.
GravelBen said:
ScoobieWRX said:
The more power/torque you have the less effort required to maintain or get to a certain speed. If you suddenly gain an extra 40-50ft/lb of torque you will save fuel as your accelerator pedal doesn't have to be pushed down quite so far to get the same effect.
I don't find the GTB too much thirstier than previous NA Legacies - you only really notice the difference around town, or when you're playing.
ScoobieWRX said:
On a run i'm doing 80-90mph. I see 300 miles from a tank full at these cruising speeds. I'm sure if i were to do 70mph and stick at that it might give a bit more, but you've also got to factor in that usually on a trip to Scotland i have the dogs in the car, luggage + crap, and my partner (more luggage ) etc... That's a lot of weight so in the grand scheme of things for the performance you get that's actually pretty good.
The more power/torque you have the less effort required to maintain or get to a certain speed. If you suddenly gain an extra 40-50ft/lb of torque you will save fuel as your accelerator pedal doesn't have to be pushed down quite so far to get the same effect.
When my WRX was standard at 218bhp i was lucky to get 250-260 miles per tank. When i mapped it to 275-280bhp i started to see c.280-290 miles per tank. When i swapped the engine out and plopped in an STi lump and now that i've mapped to 350bhp on low boost (TD05 20G) i'm seeing 300 miles per tank which as far as i'm concerned is more than pretty reasonable given the power and performance.
I've said this before and i'll say it again.....if fuel economy is an issue then do not buy any turbo charged Impreza!! It is unreasonable to expect good fuel economy and supercar humbling performance in any 4dr/5dr car. You can't have your cake and eat it!! If you think Turbo scoobs are thirsty get yourself an Audi RS4 Avant. Similar real world performance to a well modified WRX but you do need to be shadowed around by a petrol tanker all the time.
Go for a newer diesel Impreza hatch at 50mpg, or a petrol N/A Impreza sport that will give you 30-35mpg.
As for LPG converted turbo scoob...There are some about but...I think i'm going to be violently sick!!...
...Oops too late!!
point taken, TBH its the smallish, dog carrying, reasonably stylish, 4WD side rather than the out and out power, she is looking at. We too do the fully loaded Scotland run, from outlaws on Wearside to Isle of Skye as well. Current car is a Pug 306HDi and most other dog cage friendly cars are either pretty big in comparison, ugly, bland or plain "vans with windows". Always liked the Impreza "estate" for its individuality (and performance) ) etc... That's a lot of weight so in the grand scheme of things for the performance you get that's actually pretty good.The more power/torque you have the less effort required to maintain or get to a certain speed. If you suddenly gain an extra 40-50ft/lb of torque you will save fuel as your accelerator pedal doesn't have to be pushed down quite so far to get the same effect.
When my WRX was standard at 218bhp i was lucky to get 250-260 miles per tank. When i mapped it to 275-280bhp i started to see c.280-290 miles per tank. When i swapped the engine out and plopped in an STi lump and now that i've mapped to 350bhp on low boost (TD05 20G) i'm seeing 300 miles per tank which as far as i'm concerned is more than pretty reasonable given the power and performance.
I've said this before and i'll say it again.....if fuel economy is an issue then do not buy any turbo charged Impreza!! It is unreasonable to expect good fuel economy and supercar humbling performance in any 4dr/5dr car. You can't have your cake and eat it!! If you think Turbo scoobs are thirsty get yourself an Audi RS4 Avant. Similar real world performance to a well modified WRX but you do need to be shadowed around by a petrol tanker all the time.
Go for a newer diesel Impreza hatch at 50mpg, or a petrol N/A Impreza sport that will give you 30-35mpg.
As for LPG converted turbo scoob...There are some about but...I think i'm going to be violently sick!!...
...Oops too late!!
In which case if you do buy one and decide to have some ECU remapping done, purely from an economy point of view of course , the next time i'm up at Pitlochry visiting the outlaws or Paisley visiting other family i'll let you know and we'll work something out. I'm sure your wife will be chuffed to bits with a ScoobyWagon.
, the next time i'm up at Pitlochry visiting the outlaws or Paisley visiting other family i'll let you know and we'll work something out. I'm sure your wife will be chuffed to bits with a ScoobyWagon. Interesting thread, and I was about to post something similar re LPG.
I have a 98 5 door Wagon that I have had for about half its life, and its been the family workhorse. It has also been a lot of fun, which is why I love it. I can endorse the above comments about being sure footed in the snow, but like any car will not defeat the laws of physics. The boot is not huge for an estate car, but not being a dog person, I dont really know how much room they need. Not owed with it either. A small trailor would not be an issue, but I am not sure how it would cope with something big.
I may be about to change jobs, and if I do, will be commuting about 140 miles a day. My first thought was to spend a couple of grand on an old diesel something to get maximum economy. However, it did cross my mind that I could gas the Impreza, and then have fun on the commute. I accept that I would loose the boot, as I would want the biggest gas tank(s) possible, but that wont be an issue.
I know of other turbo cars that have been gassed. I also run a gassed range rover, so I know about the pros and cons of gassing. Has anyone done it on an impreza before?
Other than the "if you cannot afford to run it, you shouldnt have it" comments, what is the issue with gassing an impreza turbo?
I have a 98 5 door Wagon that I have had for about half its life, and its been the family workhorse. It has also been a lot of fun, which is why I love it. I can endorse the above comments about being sure footed in the snow, but like any car will not defeat the laws of physics. The boot is not huge for an estate car, but not being a dog person, I dont really know how much room they need. Not owed with it either. A small trailor would not be an issue, but I am not sure how it would cope with something big.
I may be about to change jobs, and if I do, will be commuting about 140 miles a day. My first thought was to spend a couple of grand on an old diesel something to get maximum economy. However, it did cross my mind that I could gas the Impreza, and then have fun on the commute. I accept that I would loose the boot, as I would want the biggest gas tank(s) possible, but that wont be an issue.
I know of other turbo cars that have been gassed. I also run a gassed range rover, so I know about the pros and cons of gassing. Has anyone done it on an impreza before?
Other than the "if you cannot afford to run it, you shouldnt have it" comments, what is the issue with gassing an impreza turbo?
Baring in mind Impreza ECU's are pretty sensitive beasts, when you start on the mods trail it's always advisable to remap for a given mod or group of mods. Some mods don't affect mapping so much as others do, that's just the way they are.
When you start running on different fuels you have got to remap otherwise you're going to get problems, potentially turning into serious issues eventually, but likely it's not going to run very smoothly. LPG has a different stoich to petrol i.e. 15.5:1 as opposed to 14.7:1 for petrol so you really should be mapping for it if at all possible. You can get away with it on a lot of N/A cars but not Turbo scoobs. Also you would need to run swichable maps that alter fuelling and boost for running LPG or Petrol independantly.
You have a V4 98 car therefore not mappable unless you have an aftermarket ECU so i would be very careful about any fuel you're running. On V1-V2 classics, no problem. Same on V5-V6 Classic and V7+ Newage, all of which are very mappable on the std ECU.
There will be some turbo Subaru's (Legacy, Forester or Impreza) around that have been converted but probably never been mapped for LPG. If they were they would run super smooth, make more power, and be a lot more economical.
The crux of it is though the cost of converting to LPG and just how long it would take to recoup your investment. Unless you are doing some very big miles year in year out it will take a bloody long time to get that back. If it was already converted when you bought it then fair enough and you might think you were quids in but cars with LPG conversions sell for much more than those without. Also you're going to lose your spare tyre space in a scoob and add weight to your car thereby reducing mpg. It's swings and roundabouts.
I stand by what i said....if you want fuel economy get a diesel!!
When you start running on different fuels you have got to remap otherwise you're going to get problems, potentially turning into serious issues eventually, but likely it's not going to run very smoothly. LPG has a different stoich to petrol i.e. 15.5:1 as opposed to 14.7:1 for petrol so you really should be mapping for it if at all possible. You can get away with it on a lot of N/A cars but not Turbo scoobs. Also you would need to run swichable maps that alter fuelling and boost for running LPG or Petrol independantly.
You have a V4 98 car therefore not mappable unless you have an aftermarket ECU so i would be very careful about any fuel you're running. On V1-V2 classics, no problem. Same on V5-V6 Classic and V7+ Newage, all of which are very mappable on the std ECU.
There will be some turbo Subaru's (Legacy, Forester or Impreza) around that have been converted but probably never been mapped for LPG. If they were they would run super smooth, make more power, and be a lot more economical.
The crux of it is though the cost of converting to LPG and just how long it would take to recoup your investment. Unless you are doing some very big miles year in year out it will take a bloody long time to get that back. If it was already converted when you bought it then fair enough and you might think you were quids in but cars with LPG conversions sell for much more than those without. Also you're going to lose your spare tyre space in a scoob and add weight to your car thereby reducing mpg. It's swings and roundabouts.
I stand by what i said....if you want fuel economy get a diesel!!
D_G said:
Isn't this just an advert for your remapping company?
The poster asked a question about 'why not LPG?' and i answered. If you think my reply is incorrect, correct me as i for one enjoy being educated. If i want to advertise my services on PH i'll go though the proper channels thanks.
If i post any useful tech info/opinion/help based upon experience and what i do for a living it's given freely. If it helps someone on their way it gives me a great deal of pleasure to do so. This is the beauty of PH....lots of interesting info and opinions....free of charge!!
Allready lost spare wheel as standard space saver does not fit over big brakes. Boot space is not an issue for me anyway.
Payback time about 1 year. IF I take this job (very much in 2 minds) I will be 130 miles a day = 650 a week = just over £30k miles a year. At 30mpg (the best a turbo scoob will ever do, even if driven like a snail). That would be about £4,500 on fuel a year. LPG cost half the amount, but even allowing for the fact it was not running optimaly, I could still save approx £2k on fuel a year. Cost of a conversion is about £2k.
Plan A was to spend about £2k on an old diesel. Then it crossed my mind that for the same money I could gas the Scooby, and have similar fuel costs, and a lot more fun. I know it would not be running in a perfect state of tune, but this would be the "work hack" not a track day or sprint special.
I also run a gassed range rover that has not been re mapped. This is about 10% down on economy when running on gas rather than petrol (and hence probably 10% down on power as well) and I have always put this down partly to it not being re mapped for the different fuel, and partly down to the fact that gas has a lower calorific value than petrol. However, in round terms, it halfs the fuel bill, and that makes the car affordable to run. At the end of the day, on the road, how long do you actualy spend with your right foot flat on the floor? I do apprecaite that a rover V8 and Lucas ECU may not be quite as sensitive as the Japanese technology on a scooby.(or should that be, they are more crude)
Are you saying the scooby simply would not run on gas without a re map (and hence new ECU), or just that it will be a bit rougher, and not quite as efficent as it is on petrol?
Payback time about 1 year. IF I take this job (very much in 2 minds) I will be 130 miles a day = 650 a week = just over £30k miles a year. At 30mpg (the best a turbo scoob will ever do, even if driven like a snail). That would be about £4,500 on fuel a year. LPG cost half the amount, but even allowing for the fact it was not running optimaly, I could still save approx £2k on fuel a year. Cost of a conversion is about £2k.
Plan A was to spend about £2k on an old diesel. Then it crossed my mind that for the same money I could gas the Scooby, and have similar fuel costs, and a lot more fun. I know it would not be running in a perfect state of tune, but this would be the "work hack" not a track day or sprint special.
I also run a gassed range rover that has not been re mapped. This is about 10% down on economy when running on gas rather than petrol (and hence probably 10% down on power as well) and I have always put this down partly to it not being re mapped for the different fuel, and partly down to the fact that gas has a lower calorific value than petrol. However, in round terms, it halfs the fuel bill, and that makes the car affordable to run. At the end of the day, on the road, how long do you actualy spend with your right foot flat on the floor? I do apprecaite that a rover V8 and Lucas ECU may not be quite as sensitive as the Japanese technology on a scooby.(or should that be, they are more crude)
Are you saying the scooby simply would not run on gas without a re map (and hence new ECU), or just that it will be a bit rougher, and not quite as efficent as it is on petrol?
BIG DUNC said:
Allready lost spare wheel as standard space saver does not fit over big brakes. Boot space is not an issue for me anyway.
Payback time about 1 year. IF I take this job (very much in 2 minds) I will be 130 miles a day = 650 a week = just over £30k miles a year. At 30mpg (the best a turbo scoob will ever do, even if driven like a snail). That would be about £4,500 on fuel a year. LPG cost half the amount, but even allowing for the fact it was not running optimaly, I could still save approx £2k on fuel a year. Cost of a conversion is about £2k.
Plan A was to spend about £2k on an old diesel. Then it crossed my mind that for the same money I could gas the Scooby, and have similar fuel costs, and a lot more fun. I know it would not be running in a perfect state of tune, but this would be the "work hack" not a track day or sprint special.
I also run a gassed range rover that has not been re mapped. This is about 10% down on economy when running on gas rather than petrol (and hence probably 10% down on power as well) and I have always put this down partly to it not being re mapped for the different fuel, and partly down to the fact that gas has a lower calorific value than petrol. However, in round terms, it halfs the fuel bill, and that makes the car affordable to run. At the end of the day, on the road, how long do you actualy spend with your right foot flat on the floor? I do apprecaite that a rover V8 and Lucas ECU may not be quite as sensitive as the Japanese technology on a scooby.(or should that be, they are more crude)
Are you saying the scooby simply would not run on gas without a re map (and hence new ECU), or just that it will be a bit rougher, and not quite as efficent as it is on petrol?
What fuel do you currently run your Scoob on?? Payback time about 1 year. IF I take this job (very much in 2 minds) I will be 130 miles a day = 650 a week = just over £30k miles a year. At 30mpg (the best a turbo scoob will ever do, even if driven like a snail). That would be about £4,500 on fuel a year. LPG cost half the amount, but even allowing for the fact it was not running optimaly, I could still save approx £2k on fuel a year. Cost of a conversion is about £2k.
Plan A was to spend about £2k on an old diesel. Then it crossed my mind that for the same money I could gas the Scooby, and have similar fuel costs, and a lot more fun. I know it would not be running in a perfect state of tune, but this would be the "work hack" not a track day or sprint special.
I also run a gassed range rover that has not been re mapped. This is about 10% down on economy when running on gas rather than petrol (and hence probably 10% down on power as well) and I have always put this down partly to it not being re mapped for the different fuel, and partly down to the fact that gas has a lower calorific value than petrol. However, in round terms, it halfs the fuel bill, and that makes the car affordable to run. At the end of the day, on the road, how long do you actualy spend with your right foot flat on the floor? I do apprecaite that a rover V8 and Lucas ECU may not be quite as sensitive as the Japanese technology on a scooby.(or should that be, they are more crude)
Are you saying the scooby simply would not run on gas without a re map (and hence new ECU), or just that it will be a bit rougher, and not quite as efficent as it is on petrol?
If you use 99RON as opposed to 95RON (I hope so anyway) and possibly add Octane Booster as well there is a reason why. That reason is that the factory mapping on V.4 cars doesn't allow for particularly great running on 95RON making them very prone to knock under load. Your ECU is mapped for 100RON (Jap Fuel) from the factory and probably runs a lot of timing advance as well so you need as high an Octane rated fuel as you can get. LPG is no different to putting 95RON petrol in your car. You wouldn't run it on 95RON so why would you run it on LPG?
BTW....I have no idea how you would add Octane Booster to LPG
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