Thread: Buying a County V8 - why we shouldnt?

Originally Posted by isuzurover

So the "power" of the [3.5] V8 wasn't enough???

Meet you in the middle of the nullarbor for a race

I bought it that way mate ... though I am happy as I have heard the 3.5 can be a bit limp at times. My point is that with the cost of diesel compared to LPG, setting up your 3.5 V8 on LPG would have you ahead in terms of costs and you still get V8 power into the bargain.

Tell you what, I'll meet you at the Nulla Road House and race you to Norseman!

Tiki.

Originally Posted by Tikirocker

I bought it that way mate ... though I am happy as I have heard the 3.5 can be a bit limp at times. My point is that with the cost of diesel compared to LPG, setting up your 3.5 V8 on LPG would have you ahead in terms of costs and you still get V8 power into the bargain.

Tell you what, I'll meet you at the Nulla Road House and race you to Norseman!

Tiki.

And my point is that "power" and (low comp) 3.5V8 is an oxymoron

The 4.4 is a great engine though - heaps of torque. The 3.9 disco motor goes quite well also.

As for LPG+V8 vs Diesel though... Depends - if you stay within a reasonable radius of the CBD... I think if we both travelled from Nullarbor roadhouse to Norseman - even at legal speeds - then I would be out in front $$$ wise.

What is your fuel consumption like on both petrol and LPG sitting at 110 km/h into a strong headwind?

At rough prices of ~$2/L for petrol/diesel and $1.50 for LPG, it would cost me $26 per 100 km. You would need to manage 17 L/100 on LPG (if available) or less to beat that.

On top of that, I could fill up with enough cheap fuel at the servo in Norseman town centre to make it out to Nullarbor and back safely, legally and cheaply.

I think the V8+LPG vs diesel argument falls flat for a touring vehicle.

Ben,

It may be closer in terms of costs when touring - not sure on that - depends on capacity and type of vehicle, weight, engine + other assorted sundries. All I will say is when we toured up to Qld Xmas 2010 from Sydney - I was getting close to 300k's on an 80 ltr tank of LPG which cost me about $50 to fill up. The cost of LPG locally where I am right now is nowhere near $1.50 ... more like 75c/Ltr I think. On the Nulla, it will probably be pricier - but traveling the Pacific highway and other major hwy servo's would still have pretty cheap LPG - nowhere near $1.

So depending on capacity etc + cost of fuel I still think the LPG comes out in front - the range of diesel would be better ( fewer stops ) but I think my costs would still be lower in the long run. My truck is dual fuel also so I can flick to petrol should I need to in a touring situation and also carry additional fuel. It's all good fun and I merely put it out there as another consideration when you consider the costs of a conversion ...

P.S You ever chat to any of the old Stumpers?

Tiki.

Originally Posted by Tikirocker

Ben,

It may be closer in terms of costs when touring - not sure on that - depends on capacity and type of vehicle, weight, engine + other assorted sundries. All I will say is when we toured up to Qld Xmas 2010 from Sydney - I was getting close to 300k's on an 80 ltr tank of LPG which cost me about $50 to fill up. The cost of LPG locally where I am right now is nowhere near $1.50 ... more like 75c/Ltr I think. On the Nulla, it will probably be pricier - but traveling the Pacific highway and other major hwy servo's would still have pretty cheap LPG - nowhere near $1.

So depending on capacity etc + cost of fuel I still think the LPG comes out in front - the range of diesel would be better ( fewer stops ) but I think my costs would still be lower in the long run. My truck is dual fuel also so I can flick to petrol should I need to in a touring situation and also carry additional fuel. It's all good fun and I merely put it out there as another consideration when you consider the costs of a conversion ...

P.S You ever chat to any of the old Stumpers?

Tiki.

That is almost 27L/100 LPG!!!

Normally I average 13L/100 sitting on 110-120 fully loaded - even with a headwind. Lowest ever while touring ~9L/100 and highest close to 25L/100 while towing a 5m boat into 100 km/h headwinds between canberra and adelaide.

LPG was ~$1.30/L on the Nullarbor in late 2011. I increased P/D/L prices accordingly.

Apart from you and Irek (who is on here but hangs out in the FL section), I have trouble matching up old and new folk - plus the memory is fading...

Ben,

Keeping in mind that Diesel and LPG are different fuels not sure the comparison can be made directly in terms of consumption per litre but we'd probably be better to look at range/distance covered on a full tank + cost to fill to that tank capacity. I must also confess that my 2010 mileage is set to improve since my Holly carb was a frankencarby when I bought the truck - previous owner had mated a few different series of Holly carb parts together and it was not running optimal at all! I have replaced the carby with a brand new Holly so the mileage will be way better than before as before it was sucking way too much LPG by far. I would suggest I'll be getting well over 300k's to the tank in future.

Re - Irek ... nice to hear he's still kicking around! He helped me out with some U bolts once upon a time.

Tiki.

Originally Posted by jbell110

Tikirocker your county looks very in dual cab form....

I just picked up an 85 4spd V8 2owner, just needs a tidy up, will
post a pick soon..

Jeff

Full circle hey Jeff? It'll be good to see you in a County again. Are you going to fit Q78's to this one too?

Cheers
Andre