Alloytec on LPG- worth it?

[akqrate]

Hey guys

Trying to save money with fuel, was wondering if the LPG is as good with the alloytec as it was with the old ecotec.

Reason I ask is that a lot of people are telling me a lot of different things like an alloytec on lpg will end up costing the same for fuel as not converting it... or things like LPG will ruin the alloytec engine, and some back it up by saying how many alloytec commy's do u see driving around as taxis?

While that is true, why would holden then release dual fuel models of the VE that work with the new alloytec engine?

Any ideas? Is the conversion worth it? Are there extra servicing requirements which will make it not so worthwhile?

[JBDrifter]

I got mine done, simply because my dad specialises in gas conversions and i got it done at cost price. Which still isn't cheap mind you, it cost me $3,450. So that's $1,450 out of my pocket after the government rebate.
It is definitely worth it though, I pay about $35 for a full tank of gas and it gets me on average about 450km per tank, that's stop start driving. On the freeway I'll get at least 600km easily.

[akqrate]

What the? really? how big is that tank? 450km city driving is crazy on one tank.

[poweredbycng]

We own a VZ SV6 that has had an SVI LPG conversion installed for two years now. We average around 13-14L/100km in the Perth suburbs and that's hand-calculated (compared to about 12L/100km on 98 RON unleaded), which gives around 550km per 75L tank ($40 to fill - we have a cylindrical tank with 90L liquid capacity). It runs really well and has covered 25,000km on LPG now. Low down, it has more torque on LPG than it does on petrol. Even up high, it seems to have the same grunt regardless of fuel selected. The system starts the engine on petrol even if LPG is selected and the fuel changeover occurs when the coolant temperature hits 40C (takes about 2-3min on a cold morning). If you want to see some photos or would like more info, please let me know.

Regards,
Dave

[Tuttle]

By the sounds of it is worth getting just have to find a reasonable price.

If anyone knows of a good place around Adelaide that would be sick, not the kinda thing i want done dodgy

[bcw61]

Trying to save money with fuel, was wondering if the LPG is as good with the alloytec as it was with the old ecotec.

Any ideas? Is the conversion worth it? Are there extra servicing requirements which will make it not so worthwhile?

I bought my VZ wagon with the factory BRC LPG system fitted. Although I initially had a fault with the system after I bought the vehicle, after it has been fixed, I reckon it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. With LPG hovering around the 65c a litre mark in Adelaide, it is cheaper to run than on petrol. With the wagon, I get around 13.5 l/100kms, which gives me a highway range of around 450km. The BRC system also has really expensive gas vapour filters that need to be changed every 15000kms, although I think I may have identified some much cheaper generic Ryco ones instead.

Not sure about conversions, although I have noted on these forums that the aftermarket vapour injection LPG systems are reported to be pretty good.

[muneey]

I bought my VZ wagon with the factory BRC LPG system fitted. Although I initially had a fault with the system after I bought the vehicle, after it has been fixed, I reckon it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. With LPG hovering around the 65c a litre mark in Adelaide, it is cheaper to run than on petrol. With the wagon, I get around 13.5 l/100kms, which gives me a highway range of around 450km. The BRC system also has really expensive gas vapour filters that need to be changed every 15000kms, although I think I may have identified some much cheaper generic Ryco ones instead.

Not sure about conversions, although I have noted on these forums that the aftermarket vapour injection LPG systems are reported to be pretty good.

what size tank is it (useable) and is that 13.5l/100kms on the freeway? what about local consumption?..i am seriously thinking about it for my wagon..currently on petrol my consumption is close to 13l/100..and that is grannying the thing in sydney traffic
would also like to know what kind of space saver would fit in the vz as i would want a smaller wheel up on the stand to save room in the boot area

[bcw61]

what size tank is it (useable) and is that 13.5l/100kms on the freeway? what about local consumption?..i am seriously thinking about it for my wagon..currently on petrol my consumption is close to 13l/100..and that is grannying the thing in sydney traffic
would also like to know what kind of space saver would fit in the vz as i would want a smaller wheel up on the stand to save room in the boot area

The tank size in my wagon is a 75 litre doughnut tank, with a working LPG capacity of 60 litres. In practice, my tank will take around 58 litres from empty, although a few months ago, my partner did accidentally fill it with over 70 litres . Needless to say, I told her to drive the car straight away on gas, and keep on driving to get rid of the excess gas ASAP.

Just did a few rough calculations, and my gas consumption driving to & from work (outer suburban driving) works out at around 15.5 l/100km. As my BRC system starts and initially runs on petrol, my petrol consumption was around 2 l/100km for the same period.

The only downside is the floor of the cargo floor area is reduced slightly because of the raised gas tank cover, and the relocation of the spare wheel to the drivers side of the cargo compartment. However I regard these as minor issues & have learned to live with them.

[muneey]

hey bcw61, just a quick question, on lpg do the fuel consumption/ distance to empty etc readings still work on the dash readout on the vz ( i have a 3 cluster dash in the lumina wagon)or do they become reduntant like my VT calais on lpg (mixer setup)

[womble66]

Before doing it find someone that has +100K km on LPG on an alloytec after a SGI conversion and see what they say. When I got my VZ Calais in 2006 I looked at doing it but back then there wasn't enough long term evidence on the negative impacts on the alloytec especially in the area of cylinder head deteriation.

I decided not to risk it as at the time they advised the heads would s%#t themselves and you would need to get them overhauled to LPG specs within 50K - 100K km which would see any savings made on fuel costs eaten up on repairing the heads. Apparently the factory spec LPG alloytecs have harden valve/seats to negate this issue.

Now its 4-5 years on the evidence should be much clearer but like a previous poster stated you don't see many VE taxis which is even further confusing and may point to some long term issue given Ford don't make a 'taxi' special any more yet it appears there are many more and therefore indicating to me that the Falcons are still the taxi industries preferred option.

Even with my VE Calais V I didn't revisit this LPG option even though I do 45K km p.a. because I think the opinion on the alloytec is still there.

[bcw61]

hey bcw61, just a quick question, on lpg do the fuel consumption/ distance to empty etc readings still work on the dash readout on the vz ( i have a 3 cluster dash in the lumina wagon)or do they become reduntant like my VT calais on lpg (mixer setup)

No. At least on my BRC factory gas system (production option KL7 system), the fuel consumption/distance to empty side of things does not work when running on LPG.

Apparently the factory spec LPG alloytecs have harden valve/seats to negate this issue.

This is true. As my gas system is factory, my engine designation is production option LW2, which differs from the standard Alloytec (production option LE0), to include valve seat inserts in the cylinder heads and valves that are treated with Stellite.

[muneey]

i got my car installed with SVI just 2 days ago..its an emar (is that how you spell it) system..
.,just a few things thus far which i need to take back to the installer..first one is that after driving for a while..i get a "safety mode" warning on the dash and hence it goes into limp home mode..secondly i filled up my doughnut tank for the first time from empty and it filled up at only 50 litres??? thirdly, just after i filled her up with gas..as i was leaving the intersection..she stalled on me...
anyway im sure all these niggly things can be fixed easily enough..but i will say this much..wether on petrol or lpg, you cannot tell when it changes over..and i cant even tell of any power difference..although i do feel it has a bit more torque down lower on gas..
my car has 190k on the clock having just recently bought it..but love the car so much i will probably keep her for longer and that is why i decided to throw in the lpg conversion..that and also that unleaded is $1.50 at the moment and lpg is 64c..a no brainer!!