LPG Conversion on VY

Some answers

HI,

That's a good list of questions. I wish I had the answers to all of them.

I believe that the LPG conversion is about $2,500. If you do high mileage, you would get the money back in a reasonable time. At average mileages, it could take a lot of years to recoup the initial cost.

My understanding is that you would not notice any performance change from the seat of the pants.

Consumption is about 20% higher on LPG, so that savings are not the full price difference.

LPG burns cleaner, so there will be less carbon build up.

You will lose a significant portion of your boot if you go for the dual fuel option.

I believe that filling up takes longer as well.

Sorry that I could not answer most of your questions.

 

I also have an 03 VY and this is what I've learnt so far.
1) I have been quoted $3300 from Holden dealer for genuine kit which is from Impco. I also got a quote from a company I've used before which was $2700 for the same kit.

2) All the dashboard electronics work with the factory Impco kit. Also, the gas filler is behind the fuel filler flap next to the fuel filler.

3) Not sure if their is a power difference but if I were to guess, then yes there is. My old car, (EF Fairmont) had slightly less power on gas. I've been told that there is a kit for the VZ which uses gas injectors and costs over $4000 and gives you similar power and economy as petrol. I think they also said it will fit VY but can't remember.

4) I haven't converted yet but will sometime in the future. I was getting around 500 km's from full to near empty on gas (mix of freeway & suburbs 68 litre's of gas). Not sure of petrol economy as I never had more than one quarter of a tank in there.

 

ring around there are places that guarantee you no power loss with dual fuel setups they just run twin computer setups tuned for each fuel

 

I'm interested to know where you got the $2700 quote from, i know it was 2 years ago, but i was jsut quoted abotu $4200 from a holden dealer :|

I'm looking for a place in melbourne who can do the Impco conversion for a VY II Berlina V6

 

Holden just want your money, I would ring around and get prices. Make sure it is the gas injection system. It runs much better and is more effecient on fuel. I have VT SS on gas with this setup and have no problems at all.

 

I do own a workshop in Wantirna and I am a Impco fitter. GENUINE impco factory systems.
I am also a Tartarini and Eurogas vapour injection systems fitter.
If you need a quote or want more info or want to see pics of my work you can e-mail me at;
anthony@amautomotive.com.au
And I do give discounts for Forum members.

 

I've had mine done, $2990 or something like that. Works fine. The gague is linked to the computer so you can still find out what your efficiency is. It's less powerful of course, but that happens to all LPG vehciles.

 

Im thinking of converting my SV8 to LPG too, i got quoted 4000+ with the injectors, knowing ill get 2Gs back from the government, it still 2Gs that needs forking out...They did say i wont lose power or economy so that could be good!

Ring around, there are plenty of pplz that could help.

Peace

 

A mate of mine had his vy done last year for $2300. He doesn't notice much power difference betweent the 2. He lost traction control when it runs on gas and also wasn't able to have the standard fuel gauge hooked up to the gas so he also lost trip computer for gas. With the ecotec, I was told you need to run upper cylinder lube as well where as other cars it's not a really needed. But after you get $2000 back from the goverment it works out quite reasonable.

 

I have a VY berlina (s1) that I converted to LPG in November 07. I got a genuine Impco/GM Kit that set me back $3180, then the $2000 rebate came, which left me just under $1200 out of pocket.

Car runs really smooth. You can hear more of a 'roar' when you accelerate hard, and there is obvious loss of power, but I'm not complaining. Costs on average $45 to fill up, and I get between 350-400 km city driving, with economy figures around the 21 lt/100 km depending if the a/c is on or not.

Just curious - are those economy figures ok? I was sorta expecting a bit less lpg usage, as on petrol (before I converted) i was getting around 11.9 lt/100km. I know LPG uses around 30% more fuel then petrol which leads me to asking shouldn't my economy be around the 17/18 mark?

Any feedback appreciated.

 

How big is your tank ? Have you got a v6 or a v8 ? Those figures should be more like 16-18 litres for you to get 350-400k's. What is tank size ? I have an ecotec, with mixer setup, and i get 45o-500 from 70 odd litres. I have a 96 litres tank but only can fill 76 litres. I ran at around 13L/per 100k's.

 

If you were getting 11.9L/100km on petrol with exactly the same type of driving, then something is amiss.
Return it to the installer, if its a genuine fact system, it should come in right on the 30% extra mark as that is what they have been tested to be able to do in the goverment fuel testing standards. There is really no excuse I can think of for not getting it to do that, its all brand new equipment?

 

I have converted my VX, my brother inlaw his VX Supercharge and my mate his VY Ute. THere is no specific but go for an impco or an impco copy like AMR made in Clayton Melbourne. Mixer setup on mine and my brother inlaws, my mates teh injector system. VY will need injector system. At time of installation, get them to put on new leads, new plugs, and the dripper lubricator system. In the first 1000k's you will get some dramas, cutting out etc, but then it will settle and tune itself properly as the gas computer piggybacks the original one. THen it will be good with regualr oil changes, plug changes etc. Remember spark,ignition and tune is key to lpg.

 

If he has the standard 75L usable tank then 350-400kms is possible at 21L/100km. Why does VY need injector system when there was a fact mixer system designed for them?

 

Injection for the V8s is the only way to go cause of the plastic manifolds don't take too well to backfire.
The Factory Impco systems I fit work amazingly well and intergrate the factory PCM and dash.
You also get alot of other little things you don't get with standard systems ie, rear springs, new airbox, factory tank ect.
I do the Factory systems at around the $3350 mark with alot of stuff free inc. free loan car.

 

Maybe for the Series 1. But from what i know, after VX's they now install injector systems due to emissions control. Thats all it is. If you can get your VY or VZ on a mixer system let me know. I found it strange too as VX used mixer, and VY had same motor, but it all comes down to emission control.

 

Theres alot of variables involved with LPG. You can only fill to 80% capacity of your tank. Also the trip computer is not always the best. It also comes down to the quality of the gas used which you never really know. Sometimes i will only get 450, sometimes the tank goes 550 on same litres per 100k's. Also you should never run it empty, im getting those k's on red light and only filling 70litres. Some people milk an extra 50-100k's by running it dry. Aircon comes into effect as well.

 

It also comes down to the tune, the lean tune will have you use less gas, but if your plugs or leads misfire, your car backfires and damages something like has happened to a few people i know. I have mine slightly rich cause i don't wanna crack my intake or blow my air box etc. Some people hassle the mechanic wanting more mileage as if they aren't saving enough money anyway....

 

You were talking to me, I dont have a VY.

AFAIK, the fact mixer system was an after purchase option on the vy v6 commodore, so why they suddenly need injection is a mystery to me, they should only have to meet emissions for the year in which they were manufactured.