V8 on LPG v TDI on LPG

[wozzlegummich]

Hi All, Long time lurker - seldom poster.

With the price of diesel sky rocketing and showing no signs of abating ($1.62 @ litre in Melbourne yesterday) it is negating all the fuel economy gains of running a diesel (300 TDI 96 Disco).

So here is my quandry.

Do I fit LPG to the TDI (ECOshot or the likes) and enjoy the extra power/fuel economy or bite the bullet, sell the car and go for a V8 & have it fitted with sequential vapour injection?

I would love to hear from anyone who has fitted either these systems and what were the gains/pitfalls/issues etc.

Cheers,

Robbie (confused) :confused:

[Xavie]

Hey mate, I was considering the same question. Currently I have decided to keep the diesel because it will cost more to run but I am told they are tons more reliable and will go for a lot longer. I was seriously thinking about the v8 though and it still niggles.

So I am planning on getting gas put on the 300tdi. However in doing that I'm 2500 bucks out of pocket but I'm doing it for driveability and not economy as saving 1 or 2 litres per 100 kms and being 2500$ out of pocket is not a good economic choice.

Xav

[Disco_owner]

Hi mate;

Prior to purchase of my new Range rover , I was going to fork out 4.3K and have sequent II Diesel-Gas injection system installed on my disco 300tdi , however ever since the purchase of range rover ( 3.9 V8 ) which is already converted to LPG I have decided against it , V8 on gas is absolutely beautiful to drive , I can't tell the difference between petrol or LPG , others may , it cost me $30 bucks a week to get around on Gas and I'm consistantly filling up at 64.9c for LPG , as apposed to the fluctuating Diesel prices around. the V8 is my daily driver. in any case good luck which ever way you decide to go and let us know how it goes for you.

[mark2]

I wish diesel was only $1.62 here:(

I tend to agree with Xavie that putting a diesel on gas only for economy will take a long long time to break even unless you do big k's. Doing it for driveability is easier to justify if it makes a big difference - I cant comment on this and whether thats worth $2500 but IMHO a V8 compared to a small diesel is always going to be more driveable whether on gas or not.

As long as the price of diesel doesnt pull too much further away from petrol, your Tdi without gas is likely to be about the same as V8 on gas to run but this can depend on how much you have to pay for gas. In regional areas the price difference to diesel is much less than in cities.


And although V8's are cheaper to buy than a diesel, by the time you factor in the selling and buying costs given that you already own a diesel, I think you're better off doing nothing and keeping things as is.

[V8Landy]

I love my V8 on gas.It costs me about $30 a week to run.I would like the range of the diesel though

[ozscott]

Arrrhhh....tdi/td5 more tonns more reliable than a Rover bent 8...mmm...not been talking to the right people (and while your talking to the right people price a rebuild on the TD compared to a V8:))

As for which has more grunt my bet (my brother is a Diesel Gas specialist) is that the Td with LPG will outgun a V8 on LPG if properly set up.

Cheers

I run a 95 on LPG and an 01 on LPG - both mixers later closed loop earlier open loop LPG. The closed loop mixer style uses electronic control of fast acting servo motors for idle tap and main gas tap in the vapour line....excellent and very dependable and no backfire issues (and excellent economy). The 95 is simple and effective but not as economical. I love both. Both are better than a Tdi in terms of running costs and sheer acceleration, but against a TD with LPG it would be a different story

[Michael2]

I've got a 300Tdi Defender and a 3.5V8 Rangie on LPG. The RR has done about 450,000km and goes okay. I preffer the Diesel Defender, it works out about 2 cents per km cheaper with the Defender, the Defender requires a lot less service, is more reliable and has a very long range. Range is pretty important to me, so the diesel gets the nod.

[ozscott]

The D1 used crap Lucas electrics for the HEI ignition. I ditched that and went with Australian Bosch (Ford V8) dizzy and HEI module - very very sweet and very reliable - ie read no break downs at all 255,000k.

The D2 is all German Bosch Motronic and is very very reliable (albiet more electronic sensors to fail in long term).

The Rover V8 is a piece of joy. Not many petrol motors can regularly clock up half a million ks (excluding taxis that are all hot miles - ie no cool down and warm up wear like a normal vehicle) with just making sure the oil is good and the coolant is good (coolant being I reckon just as important as good oil).

Cheers

[p38arover]

Quite frankly, with LPG on a V8, you will soon get annoyed with the lack of range.

Now some may flame me but I have a P38A on sequential LPG injection. It drives very well but the range is abysmal - I fuel up every two days. I loved our 300 Tdi for the range alone. I could go for two weeks without having to fuel up.

[Hoges]

You may be able to get a $2k rebate from the Fed Govt's LPG scheme which also applies to diesels. Have you factored this into your calcs?

try

LPG Vehicle Scheme (http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/content/level3index.cfm?ObjectID=D47685C8-0B0B-459C-B07A2EFBDB3D4AF7&L2Parent=AEB901E5-7CB8-4143-A3BF33B2423F9DA6)

One small piece of trivia: We must be the only country in the world where such a scheme is promoted through....the local MEDICARE OFFICE:eek: I kid you not...collect the LPG rebate forms along with your medicare rebate...

[PAT303]

I have a 3.9 on gas and my Tdi is booked in,3 month wait to get done and I agree that the range of the V8 isn't much but I keep it in good order and after a dyno tune every 8-12 months it runs smooth and is a good cruiser.The Tdi really gets a wiggle on,I have driven one on gas and it will only cost me a grand after the rebate and that won't take long to pay back. Pat