LPG Alloytec

[old mans ute]

anyone running an LPG base Alloytec. Interested to know what they are like. Holden dealers dont seem real keen

[80shovelead]

when we got our sv6 we where told that since its the 190 motor it cant be converted to LPG because its a high performance motor as for the 175 motor i cant see any harm or reason why it cant be converted over.

[Road_Pilot]

Aked the Customer Service Centre last week about the availability of a LPG system for my VZ Exec Wagon and this was there response.....

"...An Injected LPG System will be available through Holden By Design for VZ Commodore Executive Sedan and Wagon only. This enhancement is expected to be ready for sale in October 2005, however, this date is not confirmed.

Further information regarding LPG fitments will be available closer to the release date via our website at www.holden.com.au. ..."

I have spoken with the suppliers (IMCO) who ststed that under their contract with Holden they CAN NOT supply any units to other resellers or installers as Holden have decided that it will be a factory fit option ONLY.

I hope this is not correct as that would mean I will need to consider if I keep the VZ or change to another vehicle as I travel approx 10,000k per month.

[commodore_vy]

Ive researched at length about converting to a dual fuel in my ute to get more ks per tank and cheaper tanks...


Ive come to the conclusion thats its a waiting game before they will produce an aftermarket system by another manufacturer...so thats what im doing and then i will compare it with the genuine holden system...ill let ya know how i go


but im gonna have it in by christmas....

Im doin 50 000kms a yr...way too much

[OBMAR]

When I purchased my VZ One Tonner in February 2005, I asked about an LPG version and was told it would cost about $3000.00. I thought I would evaluate the fuel consumption before installing LPG. Last week I phoned Holden Customer Assist to enuire about LPG and was told it had not been approved for any of the VZ model and may be approved for the VZ Executive Sedan and Wagon in October 2005.

Why in these days of high fuel prices would a major car manufacturer introduce and engine that they will not approve for LPG conversion?????????

No wonder they are going broke and retrenching workers.

"VZ" owners unite and demand that Holden make a firm decision on thier Alloytec engine in regards to LPG conversion.

Holden Customer Assist are unable to give any reasonable answer as to why this engine can not be converted to LPG.

As the man from a major provider of LPG conversion equipment on enquiring about the "VZ" conversion said to me ".......... go and find a very solid brick wall and bash your head firmly against it. In there will lay your answer.........." :b:

Any further posts would be quite welcomed.

Lets apply some pressure.

[steane]

when we got our sv6 we where told that since its the 190 motor it cant be converted to LPG because its a high performance motor as for the 175 motor i cant see any harm or reason why it cant be converted over.

Only difference between the 190 and the 175 is the 190 has variable cam timing on both camshafts, the inlet manifold is a different design and of course the ECU tuning will be a bit different. If you could run LPG on the 175 you could run it on the 190 as they are the same lump at the end of the day. Describing either engine as "high performance" is stretching it. They are just a holden V6 available in a commodore ie ordinary.

[Sammy]

from everything i've read about lpg is that it will actually go better once tuned to suite your car, the other thing is i believe it has higher octane which would mean that there would be no reason the 190 couldn't use it if the 175 could.

i too am in the 50,000km's a yr boat and if there was a cheap gas option that would give me more money in my pocket i'd be interested for sure.

[tim85]

Pretty soon there'll be no point in converting to gas anyway, because the federal govt is dropping the current excise on gas, meaning that it's price will be close to that of unleaded anyway, making a gas conversion pointless!

That would explain why Holden hasn't spent the development dollars on making an LPG conversion system.

[OBMAR]

Correction. The Federal Government is actually increasing the excise on LPG not dropping it. The government has stated, as I beleive it, that it will only increase the excise by 8 cents which will still make LPG a hell of a lot cheaper than petrol.

As a 30,000 to 40,000 kms per year driver I feel I could cut my costs by at least 30%.

My main arguement is why has Holden disigned an engine that they feel can not run on LPG.

My next option is to place a billboard on the tray of my One Tonner informing the public of this fact.

[commodore_vy]

.

My next option is to place a billboard on the tray of my One Tonner informing the public of this fact.

sounds good too me...do ya recon it would be cheaper makin two at the same time

[OBMAR]

commodore_vy, You are probably right, it would be cheaper. Anyone else want one.

Any suggestions for the script on the billboard?

Maybe, " GMH says my new VZ Commodore Alloytech engine cannot be converted to run on LPG"

[DavoTheGreat]

I rang my Holden dealer this morning to ask about LPG. They suggested I speak to The Gas Man at Alexandria. Rang them, the guy said the VZ system was still in development but once it's completed and approved they'll be no problem putting it on the 190kw motor. He is hoping the VZ system being available within 6 months but didn't specify an exact timeframe which is fair enough.

[steane]

See below - Was announced this week.

GM: HOLDEN LAUNCHES DUAL-FUEL COMMODORE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The success of Australia’s most popular car range will be enhanced with the launch of a dual-fuel Commodore, featuring a newly-developed version of GM Holden’s 3.6 litre Alloytec V6. The engine is modified to run on petrol and LPG, using new valves and hardened valve seats designed for harsher LPG operating conditions.

Based on the Executive variant, the LPG-powered Commodore uses a high-tech system called Sequential Vapour Gas Injection (SVGI), which injects gas directly into the air intake runner, eliminating excess gas circulating through the air intake system.

The system gains further efficiencies by mimicking the petrol injection sequence, which allowed engineers to achieve power and torque figures close to theoretical LPG maximum efficiencies. Like the petrol-only Executive, power is 175kW @ 6000 rpm with 320 Nm of torque @ 2800 rpm.

Consistent with GM Holden’s efficient Alloytec engines, the dual-fuel Executive meets Euro 2 emission standards. LPG fuel economy is 14.4 litres/100km (sedan) and 14.8 litres/100km (wagon).

Petrol fuel economy figures remain unchanged at 11.1 litres/100km (sedan) and 11.3 litres/100km (wagon). Significant development work was undertaken to ensure a seamless transition from petrol to LPG while driving, with no discernable power difference. The LPG system uses petrol on start up, then automatically transfers to LPG, if selected, once the engine has warmed up.

Another advantage of the gas-powered Commodore is one fuel filling point – the gas outlet is located above the petrol cap behind the fuel filler door.

The system is also easy to service and maintain. In addition to GM Holden’s standard maintenance schedule, the dual-fuel system requires an LPG-system service only every 15,000kms, which involves changing two filters and a leak check.

GM Holden National Fleet Manager Simon Carr said the appeal of LPG-powered vehicles is increasing due to LPG’s compliance with all current and future emissions regulations, and the comparatively low cost of LPG.

“There’s more and more interest in LPG vehicles due to the increased cost of petrol.” he said.

“GM Holden’s sophisticated SVGI system produces the same driving characteristics as the petrol-only Commodore and it also has the cost advantage of the cheaper fuel source.”

The dual-fuel VZ Commodore Executive is priced at $37,550 for the sedan and $40,660 for the wagon.

Production of the LPG-powered Commodore begins in October, with GM Holden dealers taking orders from today.
__________________
Business Manager - Street Commodores Magazine

[Road_Pilot]

I spoke with the cus service people in Melb today and was advised that the LPG system was a Factory fit option only and there is no plans to offer it as a after market system for fitting to vehicles already on the road. I also rang IMPCO the makers of the system and they advised that under their contract with Holden they can not sell systems to third parties and to there knowledge Holden will not sell the system other than factory fitted.

I have spoken with a lpg installer in Sth Brisbane who advised that there is another system (not IMPCO) currently under trial and it is hoped that will be available within 3-4 weeks

So I guess its back to the drawing board so to speak.......

[Ms.VS]

I have a VSII SS.
I'm looking to convert it to straight LPG. I was supposed to get quotes/information today but as you do I got sidetracked with one thing or another. Does anyone have any information that will help me out until I get myself into gear and make some calls.
I'm aware of a slight loss in hp, but I know I can gain that back and then some as I'm able to up the compression by running 100% LPG after I've had the heads shaved etc.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanx.

kylie.