[VIC] $10,000 budget for first V8...What would you do?

[383 hatch]

Oh dear god, going down this road again? I'm steering clear of this thread now.

 

[GEN3RATD]

just giving my opinion on this topic, id just buy a VXII SS, and not bother with gas, rather then beating around the proverbial bush.

 

[383 hatch]

But, OP stated at the start he can't afford that, so your opinion is moot.

 

[GEN3RATD]

he could if he doesnt get gas. i payed 11k for mine, in mint condition with 69,000kms. ive seen them go here for around 7-8k.

$4500 is a lot of ULP, how long would the installation of gas take to become a profit?

 

[383 hatch]

Yeh, true. In all honesty, i don't think gas ever really becomes a "profit" so to speak. By the time you take into account the damage it can/will do to an engine that will cost $$ to repair you don't end up any better off IMO.

I totally agree though, $4500 will buy a lot of ULP. At a guess, it should keep him going for the 1-2 years he plans to keep the car for.

 

[shaune_m]

You reckon guys? Driving say 30 to 40,000kms a year i always thought gas would work out better. Damn those online calculators lol.
Factoring in prices of PULP (recommended?) which dont seem to be going down. Wouldnt the cost be made back after a year or 2?
Would the LPG injection still hurt the LS1? (was told they were much nicer to the engine than the old mixer setup?)

 

[GEN3RATD]

id say 3 years. 3 years is a long time, things change, circumstances change.

with a decent tune LS1's can run with awesome fuel economy and still make lots of power.

and as Blown V6 Hatch said LPG will damage the LS1 over time

 

[shaune_m]

Yep 3 years is a long time. Ive seen some great results on LS1's from Oztrack etc so no problem there.
I know its probably bogus, but using this website with rough fuel prices entered and a $80-100 weekly fuel spend it seems 1.5-2 years is closer?
LPG Autogas Australia

 

[GEN3RATD]

well its impossible to tell isnt it? with fuel prices increasing and whatnot.

IMO if you worried about fuel prices a V8 isnt for you. i know its not what you want to hear but there is no point trying to find a bandaid solution, you can either commit or you cant.

having said that if you havent struggled with the ecotec i cant see an LS1 being TOO much different fuel wise.

edit: just hooked up redbook and it has a VR exec 5spd coming in at 8.5l per 100kms while a VX SS 6spd pulls 9.5l per 100kms keeping in mind that figure will improve with tuning.

 

[shaune_m]

Na Fair enough dude i hear ya, just want the best of both worlds i guess. Will be getting an 8 either way, just weighing up my options.
Yep Manual LS1 would be the go if i can find one for a decent price, obviously be a bit thirstier around town than the 6 but thats to be expected.
Anyone notice a big jump going from ULP to Premium?