Anyone run Propane fuel only ?

[dan66cj5]

Hi, I have been intrested in the idea of propane fuel as an alterntive fuel. I currently am running a propane powered NA engien.. I would like to run a turbo setup someday. I heard that with propane(104 octane at the pump) allows you to run more boost. Also its a cheaper fuel, and cleaner.. so You win in every way ?

What do you all have to say about the subjet of propane powered cars ?

Dan

 

[granatl]

I asked this same question about 3 months ago, and was politely told that it would be a waste of time and effort.

 

[klrv6]

Propane Sentra

I have a propane injected Sentra (B13 93 model) it is not 100% propane. The propane allows the gasoline to burn completely in the cylinder rather than waste going to the cat. I noticed no less than a 14MPG increase in mileage. Last week I drove 330 Highway miles @ 80MPH and got right at 46.7999 MPG: 60-65 MPH and better tires, would have pushed me above 50MPG. I spend around $2.50 a week for the propane, not bad considering that it saves me almost $12 in gas. I will post pics once I get the Suburban converted. I did explore the option of full propane but, the "kits are free after you file your taxes: you convert your vehicle to a "dual fuel vehicle" rather than running straight propane. I also must pay the road tax for the propane I purchase.

 

[buickpower]

klrv6, where can you get propane injection kits?

 

[Drac0nic]

"dual fuel" means that you can switch between gasoline and propane, not that it runs both at the same time. We run those at the plant a lot, and you actually are supposed to run a tank of gas throug em a month to keep everything in the gasoline system squared away. It's actually handy because LPG plants aren't everywhere to fill up on, even though for an in town DD it'd be just fine. We've got Fords here, the 97 F-150 we've got that was factory fitted for LPG is junk though, they're always replacing parts on it, and since it's computer controlled it's not cheap. The new ones are supposedly fixed from what I've heard, but I wouldn't know if it's true or not. The way to go on those in my book is the Impco or Century vaporizer setups, most of our trucks run em and they're a near bulletproof system. I'm rather curious as to the system you're running that's partial propane, could you drop a link?

 

[klrv6]

propane injection

http://www.welshtec.com

This unit does run both gas and propane at the same time I think of it as propane enrichment. I hope to have the Suburban on it very soon. Straight propane vehicles seem to cost more per mile?

 

[chevyII]

I serviced schwans trucks that ran on propane only. The engines were 366ci tonawanda? looks just like a BBC. It was a simple TBI type system on top and a round manifold with a rubber diapram to vaporizing the fuel. They ran really clean the oil was still gold at 5000 miles and the spark plugs were always white. The only down fall was at low temps around 20 or lower the propane wont vaporize and needs the help of a block warmer.

 

[n20junkie]

a 366 is a BBC, tonawanda is the engine plant that it was made at, about 2 miles from my house, i believe that it is still the worlds largest engine plant in the world, i want a 502 to fall off a rail car, well one can wish, i read on how the new charger was going to be propane powered as an option, and the proto was, from what the magazine said besides the injectors ticking loudly, it was a real good runner and the benefits outway the disadvantages, but there are alot of reasons we probably won't see many propane only cars in our lifetime.
grant

 

[BuickMike]

Klrv6,

How much did your kit cost? Also, does it raise the octane value of the fuel? I was checking out the link you put up and was thinking a kit like this would be pretty cool for the GN if I could run more boost and get better economy at the same time. I'm sure my Regal GS could benefit too!

 

[klrv6]

octane?

The total kit ran about $275 for the Sentra and $700 for the Suburban (I also bought the 7gal tank). I will get upto $1500 back for each vehicle next year, tax credit for alternate fuel vehicle. I think it raises it to around 94.5 octane? My GN will be getting the alky injection.

 

[BuickMike]

Wow, that's not bad. When you say the octane is raised to 94.5, is that using 87 octane, or 91?

 

[klrv6]

87

I am putting these on to help with MPG rather than performance. The Sub will see more use from the 94.5 or so when I tow things with it. I would rather run alky on the GN because it will also cool the intake charge, I can't see spending all that time & money to propane a car that was driven only 500 miles in the past year.