Hi all, i am thinking about converting my VS commodore- V6 to gas but don't know much about it, so i am hoping i can get some experiences here of you guys. I was asking a gas mechanic about prices this morning and he reckons he installs an American kit that has no problems with back firing etc, he also said he puts brand new leads in as well for $2,200, sounds good but i would like to hear your thoughts first before i commit myself to any conversion. I have heard that the " Vapour System " is the best but its not suitable for a VS -V6 commadore only the lateR models ?? Any info would be appreciated, Thanks, Ron
hey mate, i'm going to go do it on my VP (or maybe i sell and buy a VS first) and probably on my dad's VS (or he may sell and buy a VX first) check out my thread in the VN-VP section for all the info i have so far.
What cancer to humans,LPG to engines.No diff.Only diff is the pump price,thats all.I drove cabs for 16 years and own a factory duel-fuel VS Equipe II,So i know what im on about.Maintanence is VERY important here every 35 to 40 Thousand klms. you HAVE to replace plugs,leads and a/filter REGARDLES.Even the car runs OK.Heat generated by the LPG kills everything in its path.Dont believe lpg engine oil,no such a product ever developed yet so you have to keep your oil clean and fresh etc. etc.Every backfire will cost you heaps.Or like the rest of the population,just keep driving 'till The-End.Also Vapour system you refering (Gas Injection) is suitable/applicable for any car......For a price ofcourse...Starting from $3500.Yes its a big job too.(Converter,injectors etc. etc.)
That's assuming a vapour system kit has been developed for the specific car. A VS being an older model car, I would not be so sure that they are producing vapour kits for them. $2,200 seems about right for a VS conversion... and considering he's also throwing in new leads you can't really complain. I don't know if I'd go for it though, I'd rather have an Australian made kit installed, like the Parnel system I have in my car.
Thanks guys for your replies, I have been looking around a fair bit and have come across " Parnell Gas conversion " , this is suitable for my model car, and is a " Vapour injection " conversion, which i believe is the best conversion around these days. I haven't yet got a quote on the conversion but i am interested in this type of conversion.
They dont assume anything,multipoint sequential vapour system designed for use on LPG vehicles that is the leading edge for LPG gas fuel injection technologies. It uses specially designed "Stealth" injectors that are controlled directly by the motor vehicle's original computer. . Actually best example was at the motor show,they had a VY R8 Clubby fitted with MPSVS.Friends Land Rover cost $3800.Its got nothing to do with the cars year,model or type.It is a engine based system.And yeah its AUS design and built.
Thanks, so with the Parnell vapour system, do you have to still replace with new spark plugs & leeds, air filter, every 35-40 thousand klm's ? the motor oil always gets changed at 15,000 klm's now and does the Vapour system fully eliminate back firing ? What i am not clear about is, when my car is due for a full service, do you still get it done at a normal petrol mechanics or do you have to book it in at the gas installation place ? Also with this type of conversion [ Vapour ] does it still require you to use petrol at any time and do you start with petrol and then does it change over to gas auto maticaly. thanks for all your help
Fair enough. I was under the impression that the systems were specific to the car model... and being such a new system they were only being produced to suit new model cars. Anyway I don't know if I'd bother spending the extra ~$1600 just to have the vapour system.. I'm getting great economy and not much loss of power with the standard kit in my car anyway.
Ok, thanks heaps guys, its getting more clear to me now. so its the actual use of the gas that wears out spark plugs, spark plug leeds,air filters quicker than normal petrol and its not the actual type of conversion type, so keeping your car serviced regularly should help air boxes & muffler blow outs So i got the option for the normal gas conversion done [the $2,200 one] it would only cost me $200 with the gov grant of $2,000, and making sure i changed over the plugs, leeds and air filter ever 35 - 40 thousand klm's, it be should be ok, i suppose. Seeing i want to keep this car for a long time, i am still a bit undecided whether or not to to pay out the extra dollars for the Purnell Vapour system or go with the cheaper one. By using the gas no matter which conversion i believe there is a need to lubricate the motor, i heard just by using petrol once a week gets around this problem is this true ? thanks a lot everyone.
Yeah running your car at least once a week on petrol will help a little, or if you really want the extra protection you could get yourself a Valve Saver Lubrication System, otherwise known as Flash Lube. Every time you start your car you have a bit of petrol go through your motor, as the newer gas systems actually start with petrol and automatically switch over to gas. Here's the Flash Lube kit on eBay; http://cgi.ebay.com.au/FLASHLUBE-VA...ryZ72469QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem It costs $66 +postage there... but I'll ask my dad how much he sells them for and if it's cheaper and you live in Melbourne I can refer you to him.
Thanks mate, i am not in Melbourne anymore, but still go up there sometimes, i live in the Bellarine area near Geelong these days. I think i might go for just a standard conversion and with that lube kit should be pretty good then. many thanks for all the help your been a great help, believe me.
Thankyou for the heat clarification, and yep, i can afford the gas price for lots of klm's but not the petrol price, i used to do a lot of country driving when the price of petrol wasn't as steep, but now its getting beyond a joke. Thank you so much mate, i really have appreciated your help. ps - I may be able to give you a little tip, i use my air/con all year round, in the winter, i just set for full heat set the demister for blowing on your front window and the fan up to the second or 3rd speed [ personal choice ], put the air/con on, you get a very clear front & side windows and its not cold as you would expect, just a comfortable temp inside the car.
