Petrol vs LPG payback calculator

[Junosi]

Hi, I made myself a little spreadsheet to calculate how many km's it will take me to pay back the cost of LPG installation. So thought I'd share it. I'm still trying to decide whether to install LPG or not - it'll take me about 55,000k's to pay back as of today and I don't do many k's in my P38 so it would take me many years to pay back I reckon

Go to the following to enter your own figures (costs etc) https://spreadsheets.google.com/view...DQ4NzA5YWI&ifq

it can take google a few mins to update the spreadsheet with your figures

or go to the following to see the results:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?k...=1&output=html

Edit: oops, had a little calc error, corrected now... you get that when a phone call interupts you mid formula

Regards, Clark

[Hoges]

Hi Clark
very useful thank you.

I also have been through the yes/no/do i/don't I etc. There's also the added " cost of money" used to pay for the mod. ...i.e.interst etc over that time. what with the govt rebate decreasing/finishing and interest rates increasing...the paybak time will be further extended...
I've decided NO ...further, it's one less complication on a complication-prone relationship
cheers
hoges

[Junosi]

Its a shame that the vapour injection installs cost so much Around $5000 is the cheapest quotes I'm getting so far from installers I should be able to trust. If they were a grand or so cheaper the payback period would be vastly reduced.

I'm tempted to go the basic impco mixer system route - which I had for many years on my 3.9 discovery and it was flawless on that vehicle. But as you say Hoges, 'it's one less complication on a complication-prone relationship' if I stick with petrol...

[adm333]

I bought my P38 with mixer type LPG already installed. I paid maybe 1K - 2K over the odds for the car with this in it.

I reckon with my city driving it does about 22 l / 100kms.

It has a 100 litre cylinder tank directly behind the rear seats, so cargo space is reduced. I have built a box surround for it which means it blends in aesthetically and you can load stuff on top of it.

Capacity is reduced but I have always managed to fit a lot of stuff in, much more than I first imagined.

The totally irrational thing that you can't capture in a spreadsheet is the massive phsycological difference it makes at the servo when you fill up your Rangie and spend $40 and not over $100.

Sure you do it more often, but not twice as much.

Plus on long trips I can fill up both and drive 900kms without stopping for for fuel.

Dave

[81stubee]

Plus on long trips I can fill up both and drive 900kms without stopping for for fuel.

I remember being able to do that in my Tdi Disco, and that was with the standard tank.

[Junosi]

The totally irrational thing that you can't capture in a spreadsheet is the massive phsycological difference it makes at the servo when you fill up your Rangie and spend $40 and not over $100.

Totally agree, I remember the feeling very well from my Discovery days - big smile every time I filled up I'm still thinking seriously of doing a mixer type system - do you have any of the reported problems with it Dave ? Backfires, overheating etc

[Aussie]

The totally irrational thing that you can't capture in a spreadsheet is the massive phsycological difference it makes at the servo when you fill up your Rangie

I have a similar irrational feeling when I drive past toyboata or pootrol drivers. I had a diesel pootrol attempt too stop me merging in an overtaking lane at 100Km/h I saw this little puff of black smoke in my rear view mirror as he tried too speed up too pass me. hahaha poor sod had no hope. He did get his own back though, he passed me as I was refilling at the shell 120K's down the road..LOL Then when I caught him up I waited till the next passing lane and glided past him with ZZtop banging flat out. How shallow am I...LOL *sigh* I seem to see these tools all too often in my daily commute. One thing thats gets em everytime is the quiet rumble of the 4.6

[bee utey]

Totally agree, I remember the feeling very well from my Discovery days - big smile every time I filled up I'm still thinking seriously of doing a mixer type system - do you have any of the reported problems with it Dave ? Backfires, overheating etc

I don't have many troubles fitting the pre '99 P38A's with mixer type gas systems, it's all down to plugs, leads etc. I also recommend fitting a cylinder type aircleaner off an '87 EFI, so if it does backfire you still have an aircleaner.

However I have done one of these with LPG injection, it's achievable to install for around $4000 using a second hand donut tank from a VT - VZ Commodore wagon when available. This doesn't include credit for any gov't rebate you are currently eligible for.

I posted up some "lpg pics" last year if you want to see what's possible.

[Junosi]

Does anyone know if parts bought from overseas are covered by the LPG scheme ? I know used parts are allowed but unsure about overseas parts.

Those Marelli Vapour injection DIY kits are suddenly looking very attractive at $1000. Would just need the tank side of things then

[bee utey]

Does anyone know if parts bought from overseas are covered by the LPG scheme ? I know used parts are allowed but unsure about overseas parts.

Those Marelli Vapour injection DIY kits are suddenly looking very attractive at $1000. Would just need the tank side of things then

LPG rebates are available if you show 1. proof of payment of parts, 2. proof of payment of licenced labour to fit it. So you need to find a helpful LPG fitter. He has to see that the parts meet Australian Standard AS1425. Check with the overseas supplier if they can provide certification.

For more info: visit AusIndustry