to gas or not to gas that is the question

[casterbased]

:?:
i'm just a poor student :cry: , and i'm spending $100 a week in fuel on the 3.9

i don't like gas, but may be forced to use it :cry:

what do u guys reckon

i want to build up a kit myself, has anyone done it on here

what would it cost :?:

[PeterM]

Don't know about DIY on the gas system. I think you need to have it done by an authorised fitter otherwise you could end up in more poo than Batman without his batbelt.

You've got a few options with how you have tanks set-up, from replacing the main petrol tank, to using the cargo bay. I opted for the 3 scuba size tanks in the back. This sacrificed a bit load area but kept my petrol capacity in tact.

If you are planning to install a turbo or supercharger ask around. Backdraft when you shut of a throttle with a charged mixture can be untidy, hence why many taxis have rubber straps holding the top of their airbox on. (It gives a bit rather than shattering if they get a burn in the inlet tract).

That said, I have never had a problem with mine. Just make sure that you run petrol through the system at least one day a week, given the information you have given on your fuel consumption.

[maggsie]

I was fortunate that my County was already on gas when I bought it. As previously stated it has to be fitted by a licensed LPG installer.
The current price of LPG here in the west is @ 0.45c/litre, less than half the price of unleaded and certainly lightens the load on the wallet. I have 70litres of usable gas and average 350klms for a tank and thats towing a camper trailer with a somewhat tired 3.5. Another bonus is the clean burn of LPG, your engine is kept a lot cleaner using gas. Also good offroad, gas is unaffected by extreme uneven terrain unlike a certain brand of carbie on petrol.
The gas tank location can be a pain, mine is located RHS rear, however I relocating mine in the well ( still inside ) between the rear guards. It will be 170mm higher than the guards but with a cover built over the top there is still plenty of room for the handbrake and myself to sleep on top in the back.
Also, I am sure there is a $500.00 rebate when you have LPG installed.
Go for it.

[Ralf_the_RR]

As stated, tank location is a big consideration.
If you want cargo space, then don't install the tank in the back.
I've seen a few versions.
Tank installed longitudinally on the RHS. This allows the back seat to folded, and allow more space.
The other option is behind the seat. This negates folding the rear seat as nothing is achieved.

I have two tanks installed where the petrol tank was.
About 60ish L useable .
I also have a spare wheel carrier, so cargo area is fantastic.
I also have sill petrol tanks which hold about 35L each.

I mainly run on gas, and get about 20-25L/100Km, but the cost is minimal.

[p38arover]

My '86 RR was on LPG and had no problems with backfire.

Unlike a Disco, fitting scuba tanks into a Rangie takes up too much room. The Disco has extra headroom so it's not as bad.

On my '86 the tank was fitted fore-aft on the RHS and tucked under the window so it didn't intrude into the cargo area to any significant degree. See http://members.optusnet.com.au/thebecketts...overmod.htm#lpg (http://members.optusnet.com.au/thebecketts/rover/rovermod.htm#lpg)

I recommend a system that starts the car on petrol and automatically switches to LPG at a certain RPM - about 1400 rpm on my old '86.

My current RR has the tank crossways behind the seat and is a pain in the backside. The control is manual as well so you have to remember to switch back to petrol for cold starts. It's a pig to start on LPG when the engine is cold. It was expensive (for the previous owner) and not a good installation in my book and I would never recommend this installer (near Maroota in Sydney) to anyone.

Backfires have been a real problem and I've destroyed two plastic airboxes (damn expensive on P38A Rangies) so I've fitted a Disco steel canister filter - see http://www.rangerovers.net/rrupgrades/airb...rbox/index.html (http://www.rangerovers.net/rrupgrades/airbox/index.html)

Ron

[Ralf_the_RR]

Originally posted by p38arover
It's a pig to start on LPG when the engine is cold.

Mine's the exact opposite.
Starts immediately on gas, and a little reluctant on petrol.

[LandyAndy]

Hi Casterbased
In WA we get a GOV rebate of $500 for a conversion,EVEN IF SECONDHAND gear is used.
Legally you cant do the gas work yourself,but if you have a friendly installer you may be able to fit the hardware yourself.
Secondhand parts are OK,new gas lines have to be used.You would get a cheap conversion by getting everything from a wreck,mounting the tanks/valves yourself and getting a friendly installer to run the new gas lines and sign off on it.
My Bro has done 2 conversions this way recently,a XC falcoon which cost him about $100 less than the rebate and his 2A wagon which cost him a couple of hundred more than the rebate(had to buy a new special tank to fit the chassis rails).BUT he does have a good mate who is a gasfitter.
Andrew

[p38arover]

Didn't the Federal Govt also introduce a rebate at the time they introduced the LPG excise in order to offset the suddne drop in LPG installations?

I knew WA did that and have been searching for a similar thing for NSW or from the Feds.

Ron

[dungarover]

Regards to fitting LPG DIY I know a couple of blokes in my club who have converted there Rangies with a couple of minor hiccups.

I know it's not cheap, but I would rather pay someone to do it professionally than myself. I could fit it no worries, but blowing myself up is not a downside I would like to risk 8O

I'm in the same boat as you, notytol thrilled about LPG, but may be forced to in the not too distant future.

Regards,

Trav

[Ralf_the_RR]

The 79RR 4.4 on gas is my first gas vehicle.
I also have an Ford XE 351 (which is for sale), and I wish I had converted it gas.
The cost saving in fuel is quite dramatic.
Power is not noticably down, so overall, I recommend it.

IF you are handy, source the parts second hand and install them yourself. Then get them connected professionally.

[Michael2]

I had LPG fitted to my 3.5 '88RR 50,000 km ago. Economically it has been great. If I use a 4cent per litre discount voucher and buy gas on the low end of the pricing cycle, I get 17km per dollar!!! Better than a Tdi.

I bought a 2nd hand system from a RR wrecker for $1,000 complete. Twin tanks replace the original fuel tank. A 45litre sub tank goes in the left panel under the floor and utilises the original filler. I also have 2x35 litre sill tanks.

When I tried to get the system fitted, no one wanted to do it. Quotes for fitting were over $1,600, but every one who quoted suggested I get it done somewhere else. Those that have done it know what a cramped job it is.

In the end a mechanic LPG installer did it for mates rates at $600, but he had the car for over a week, didn't fit a backfire protection valve and was sloppy with his wiring. I got the backfire protection fitted and the car tuned and tidied up for another $350.

All said, I would have been better off having a new system professionally installed, that way my guages would read more accurately, and I would have saved time on the install. But that would have cost me an extra $1,000.

The RR runs well on LPG. Here's something to consider though. When the car's on LPG the fuel pump pumps fuel around to the EFI and it returns back to the tank.
If you run out of petrol, your pump will run dry :x
If you have a fire in the engine bay, your pump will pump petrol to it :x
I've put a relay on the fuel pump relay (under the drivers seat) which turn the fuel pump off when the car's on LPG style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif
Except that the rubber pipes to the injectors may dry and leak if there's not fuel in them all the time :x

LPG milage was 3.5km/l around town, now 4 km/l with Hiclone and 5km/l highway.

ULP milage is 5km/l around town and 7.5km/l highway.

If you use $100 per week (I'm guessing 500km or 100 litres @$1 per litre) then 500 (km) /4 (km/l)= 125 (litres)
@ 30cents per litre = $37.50
@ 40 cents per litre = $50

[matbor]

Here is a good excel spreadsheet, just input the values and it will tell u how much u are going to $$$ !!!

http://matbor.fastmail.fm/Gas%20conversion.xls

Matt.