LPG Conversions Low Price?

[Shirley]

Hi Everyone,
Don't know if what I have is a good deal or a nightmare in disguise but after searching for people to put the gas on the Rangie and being quoted prices in excess of $3500.00 plus, I found that Ultratune at Tuggerah NSW offered the same job for $2500.00 with a 96 litre tank full of gas.
Seems to good to be true but I have booked the old girl in for Monday morning and will have it back on Wednesday.
Question: Is there anything I should really be asking these guys? or should I just accept the quote and keep my trap shut?
Cheers,
Shirley...

[loanrangie]

Hi Everyone,
Don't know if what I have is a good deal or a nightmare in disguise but after searching for people to put the gas on the Rangie and being quoted prices in excess of $3500.00 plus, I found that Ultratune at Tuggerah NSW offered the same job for $2500.00 with a 96 litre tank full of gas.
Seems to good to be true but I have booked the old girl in for Monday morning and will have it back on Wednesday.
Question: Is there anything I should really be asking these guys? or should I just accept the quote and keep my trap shut?
Cheers,
Shirley...

It really depends on the vehicle and the tank location, i think it sounds reasonable obviously its not an injection system or twin under floor tanks as that would be 4k plus.

[p38arover]

With the $2000 rebate, you'll be happy!

[Shirley]

LPG seems like it might be a minefield in general.
I read about people getting their vehicles converted and then they have nothing but expensive problems with backfiring destroying components on the intake system, losses of power, backfiring and all sorts of nasties.
I had not considered that the system would not be designed specifically for EFI which makes me rather worried about if this system will be nothing but a waste of money and time.
It's really difficult to know what to do in this situation, whether to cancel the job and reassess everything and wait until I get a better understanding of what system is best suited to the 1990-91 model Range Rovers???
Thanks for the feedback, it's really appreciated,
Regards,
Shirley....

[Shirley]

As long as it works OK, hey?

[p38arover]

If anyone is interested, I have the venturi system LPG system I removed from my Rangie and which I wish to get rid of. I have the mixer, the converter, electronics, and an economiser. You'd need a tank and gas lines to get it working. Note that the govt. rebate also applies to fitting a secondhand system and that even it if costs less than $2000 installed, you still get the full $2000 rebate.

Oh, I also have an LPG ignition advance module for distributor ignitions, unused. I bought it for my previous RR but never installed it.

[Shirley]

Now that's what worries me....!
Whay did you take the system off the Rangie in the first place?
Cheers,
Shirl....

[p38arover]

As long as it works OK, hey?

I had a venturi system on my '87 RR and had no backfire problems.

I had the same on my P38A and did. However, in the case of the P38A, i suspect the problem related to the water from a slipped liner. After the engine was changed the problem never recurred and no other changes were made.

[p38arover]

This might be of interest: Tuning the Rover V8 (http://www.mez.co.uk/TuningTheRoverV8-pt7.html)

[Utemad]

That type of system will be fine. Thousands of early EFI Rangies and Discos have it. Really it depends on the quality of the equipment and the installation. Also make sure your ignition system is in A1 condition.

I paid $3500 in Brisbane about 6 months ago. That was with a manifold tank on the floor though and they are about $1000 on their own. They would take off $500 if I used a second hand one but they had none in available.

Ask them how many they have converted (of your EFI type) and what equipment they plan to fit.

Mine has never backfired but the installer said to keep a close eye on the ignition as it is the number one cause. I put in new plugs and Gasmaster leads before hand.

[Shirley]

Hi Ron,
I guess I just got the jitters about the whole thing.
I have never been a the sort of person that wins the raffles and and I think that the word "luck" is from a chicken with a speech impediment with a silent "c".
The info is really great and very helpful, especially the bit about ignition systems.
I know mine is a little hard to start and probably has not had leads or plugs in ages.
As the company that is doing the installation is Ultratune, I will get them to do a diagnostic before hand and change anything that is suspect as I don't want to get caught feeding it Air Flow meters and inlet manifold hoses at the prices they cost.
I guess I have a lot of fast talking and questioning in the morning as it is booked in for 8.00am which doesn't leave a lot of time for research.
Thanks again,
Shirley......

[p38arover]

Now that's what worries me....!
Whay did you take the system off the Rangie in the first place?

Because the installation was dodgy and my tank was out of date. Pulling it out and fixing the bodged wiring cleared up a number of problems and faults. The P38A is a tad more complex than an earlier RR.

I was running without LPG for quite a while before I decided to fit a sequential vapour injection system.

I had previously replaced the destroyed plastic box air cleaner with the earlier cylindrical steel unit. See 4.0/4.6/P38A Air Box Replacement (http://rangerovers.net/rrupgrades/airbox/index.html)

[Shirley]

Thanks Justin,
It's not often you get positive info as we all tend to focus on the things that go wrong.
Knowing nothing about these systems, I am totally vulnerable and feel like my neck is sticking out a mile, as it usually is.
We only just bought the Rangie and it drives so well. I would really hate it if this installation ended up messing the thing up and I end up spending a fortune trying to remedy the problem.
I have no idea what system they intend putting in and it really makes no difference as I am completely dumb when it comes to LPG, it means I have to trust the dealer and hope that their warranty is worth the paper it is written on and that they know what they are doing.
Fingers crossed,
Shirley....

[Utemad]

Shirl I know that Ultra Tunes are franchises but if that one is anything like our local guy then they will do a great job. I had my last car serviced there for about 6 years and my wife has her car serviced there now. Excellent guys.
First name basis and all that.

[Shirley]

Hi Justin,
That does make me feel a lot more settled.
I had read so much negative info on the injected systems that the mixer systems seemed to be old technology that was strictly designed for the older carburettor models.
Al I could invisage was my Air Flow meter going west after the first load bang and then my hands in my pocket from then onwards....
I will try to let you know the outcome. I get the vehicle back about next Wednesday I think and have to go into hospital soon after so I won't get a lot of time for testing but you can be sure that I will be treading carefully....
Sometimes I wonder if it's all worth it, now the government has started introducingan excise on the gas.
When will these mongrels stop being so damned greedy and let us enjoy the fruits of our own country without getting screwed by tax and parity pricing that is crippleing our transport options...
Honestly, if I wasn't so old I would go back to a motor cycle..... My backside is starting to get a thread in it from being screwed.
Cheers Luv,
Shirley......

[p38arover]

I forgot to say I ran the '87 RR on LPG for about 5 years and never had a problem.

It was installed by Riverstone Gas who were recommended by LR specialist, John E Davis Motorworks. Riverstone were one of the few companies that would do Rangies.

[Shirley]

They are probably a bit too far away from me but I can always use them for reference.
Thanks Ron,
Shirley.......

[t_speedster]

G'day all, just surfing and saw forum on lpg. I bought a front end kit from UK last year for a tad over $1000 delivered to my front door,a secondhand tank from the tip for free and retest $120, a filler from local lpg dealer $70 and started conversion 8am Saturday morning and test drove Sunday 2pm.
I think what i'm trying to say is, with a bit of shopping about and some knowhow with a spanner set anybody can save a buck. Did have electronic recurved dizzy fitted previously and this is a definate must, had a bit of back firing recently and replaced plugs with next range up(hotter) and that fixed that. Must admit had to buy an O2 sensor and fit it into front engine pipe to finetune the system. One catch I did not anticipate was I'm not able to claim the rebate unless I can get a lpg fitter to sign off on the system. I did however have an installer look over it and he said he would affix an lpg certification plate to the system but not fill out the paperwork to allow the rebate. Still working on that one though. If any body is interested the front end kit was supplied by Tinley Tech in the UK (very helpfull and well priced)
I suppose I should follow suit and mention cars I own
94 Disco 4.6L & 1923 Model T Ford Fronty Speedster

[p38arover]

G'day all, just surfing and saw forum on lpg. I bought a front end kit from UK last year for a tad over $1000 delivered to my front door,a secondhand tank from the tip for free and retest $120, a filler from local lpg dealer $70 and started conversion 8am Saturday morning and test drove Sunday 2pm.

Strictly speaking fitting your own system is illegal. I certainly would recommend that anyone contemplating it first read AS1425 thoroughly.

I don't know what the insurance implications would be - or even the legal implications. Don't forget that for regiastration (at least in NSW) the car will have to have its annual inspection done by a registered automotive gasfitter.

[p38arover]

Al I could invisage was my Air Flow meter going west after the first load bang and then my hands in my pocket from then onwards....

Ahh, my '87 didn't have an air flow meter. It had an Haltech aftermarket EFI computer that used a MAP sensor.


Sometimes I wonder if it's all worth it, now the government has started introducing an excise on the gas.

Excise doesn't start until 2011 and then at 2.5 cents/litre increasing to a max of 12.5 cents/litre. It was due to start 5 years (the minimum legal period) after being announced in the 2003 budget, i.e., this year but the previous govt. deferred it to start in 2011.

[t_speedster]

Ron, that is correct it is illegal,however if a certified installer inspects and signs off on the job and affixes the compliance plate(which he is going to do)he tells me it is all above board and legal in the ACT. not sure of other states
Terry

[p38arover]

Ron, that is correct it is illegal,however if a certified installer inspects and signs off on the job and affixes the compliance plate(which he is going to do)he tells me it is all above board and legal in the ACT. not sure of other states
Terry

Yes, I understand where you are coming from but .....

See http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi14.pdf

[LandyAndy]

Hi Shirley
Once its done look into the aftermarket EFI systems.
Haltek as Ron had or Wolf 3D thats on ours.
Besides being able to program/tune the EFI system to how you want it will run a second LPG mapping that will get the both out of best fuels,the changeover is automatic when you switch fuels.
The AFM isnt used so no costly backfire damage,the system uses a MAF sensor instead.
Try to always start on petrol(most systems do anyway) to avoid backfires wich mostly occur on startup.
Andrew

[t_speedster]

Ron, you got me and so did the bloke who was going to comply the installation. Me thinks I need to look into the matter further

[akelly]

Shirley,

Keep in mind that the quality of the components can make a big difference to the efficiency of an LPG system - about the only item you can economise on is the tank. Check out what brand gear they use, when I used to work on LPG systems (over 10 years ago) the best equipment was Impco. If the mixer and converter are cheap & nasty you will use lots of gas.

That said, you can retro-fit better components down the track if initial cost is the driving factor.

Cheers,

[p38arover]

I have an OMVL R90/E and a Landi Renzo SE81 for sale http://p38arover.com/lpg/Landi_Renzo_SE81.max