Hey People... Due to we all know the rising costs of petrol, and should petrol ever hit the $2 per litre mark, its going to cost heaps to fill the 75 litre tank... I've been looking into having my car gas convert so it will run on gas, aswell as petrol. Vanture system is around $2800 fitted.. and the injected system is $4400... however, I am wondering, what system is in the vx's dual fuel cars that came as a factory option. Would anyone know? Also has anyone converted a vx to gas, and how does it run? My dad has his vr converted...and had to change the coil pack, spark plugs.. and some other things... Let me know your thoughts!
I just got my VT exec converted to LPG (v6 auto). (dual fuel) It was an impco system and cost 2650 in total to get installed. I'm not sure if they use a better (non-restrictive) mixer now, or I just don't use full throttle enough, but I didn't notice any difference in power at all. The lpg level is indicated by the fuel gauge in the dash, which makes all the trip computer/DTE etc work nicely. There's a little switch below the headlight switch for LPG/petrol selection. So far the only thing I can fault, is that it's a little bit harder to start (it shudders a bit about half a second after starting then runs smooth..) - Will be going back to them for their free 1,000km tuneup to get it fixed. All in all, I'm very happy with it so far. Can even fit my pushy in the boot - and it cost me $45 to fill up 74 litres or so. - Yet to know how many km's I get out of a tank, but it looks to be heading towards the 400-450mark at least.
impco system - would that be an air system... not the injectors? i like the fact the lpg level is indicated by the fuel gauge.. but what happens if u have a full tank of petrol in the tank... and half empty gas tank? would it stil show full? or half empty? does the guage u get depend on the selection u make... of gas or petrol mode? the vr car that gas converted gets around 350-450kms...however the system on that.. the button has a gauge on it... are impco system can be found where? i'm in nsw!
It's an air valve system, not injected. It sounds like the system the factory used on VX; Impco 225, Model E converter (pressure regulator), factory PCM with integrated fuel control on LPG by the PCM. The LPG PCM is important because it retains the trip computer functions and anti-theft system. The fuel being used is what will be displayed. Any LPG installer will be able to purchase Impco gear.
Cheap6 thanks for the knowledge. Do you run one of these systems in your car? I only ask the question regarding the guage... cause i don't want the ugly set up that the vr has, i want to get a proper vx gas button.. and use that. much more better lookin.
i have the vx fact system. Yes, its all designed well and no tacky switches or led gauges inside the car. Go with that, though you want to ensure the installer gets the right kit and installs it exactly as it should be.
commsirac - the factory kit.. is an impco 225 kit? like the guy above typed out? does the fuel guage work dependant on what you are running at the time... eg if u have a full tank of fuel and running lpg.. it will show the lpg reading? im all new to this!
VX LPG (the way to go!) I bought my VX II Acclaim in October 06, with the LPG compliance plate stating it was installed in June of the same year. 70k on odo. Changes fuel seamlessly with a button on the dash & has a series of vertical LEDs for the guage. Has petrol start and loves new spark plugs, which are cheap from Metro Holden and made in Japan. I gas up fortnightly and today paid $40 to fill up! Very expensive to top up with petrol on a two-monthly basis, though....
alcommo... do u think u could put up some photos of ur dash to show me what u mean? and how ur engine bay looks like?
Yes. The fuel gauge also changes near instantly when going from one to the other and you dont need to actually start the engine to switch over the electrics for this either, it can take several minutes in a Ford for the gauge to get the new reading.......... Same say they need to know simultaneously how much fuel is in both tanks,.....dont really see a crushing need myself, unless you anticipate getting a hole in the tank of the one not being used. Would be good if the manufacturer provided the two gauges in the dash, could be on the same dial with different colour needles for each fuel.
I wonder if the folks at Advanced Fuel systems can rig something up with the fuel dial for LNG or CNG (Liquified/Compressed Natural Gas). Did you know they will retrofit a vehicle, install the in-home refuelling equipment and also provide any training? Yes, NATURAL gas, not LPG. The same stuff that you use in your home for cooking and heating. According to their information, you can get 200-400 kms depending on the tank. The car refills overnight. It also apparently can increase the time/distance between services. There are many commercial vehicles, trucks, buses, forklifts, that run on CNG/LNG. I'm so surprised that this alternative to Petrol AND LPG isn't used more widely by the general public. Instead of paying a petrol station to refill, you just pay your regular gas company. I have no idea how much a full setup and conversion will cost, perhaps that may be why it hasn't taken off as mainstream. I priced an LPG conversion for my VT, was quoted $2,600 for a venturi system and $4,500 for an SGI Injected.
Anyone know any good LPG people in Sydney that would install a system like this and know what they are doing? :thumbsup:
No, I just worked on them. That'd be me, for one. On a VX- holden approved system it's not really an issue because the PCM prevents the fuel pump from operating when on LPG if the petrol level is below about 6 litres. That avoids the fuel pump killing itself by running dry when it is otherwise used (on start etc.). Running the petrol tank dry is possible if LPG is used without checking the petrol level periodically, hence the shut off. If anyone has trouble starting a VX- factory LPG system on LPG, that is one of the first things to check; that there is petrol in the tank. (I also use both fuels together at times and would rather not run lean because the petrol tank is empty, nor do I have the fuel pump shut off when on LPG.)
Just wondering, where does the official gas button go in the dash? cause the fog light button goes underneath the headlamp dial... where would the gas button go? or should i say where did holden put it on the factory fitted systems!
On VX the fuel switch was/is on the console next to the gear selector. LNG is cryogenic liquid so I think that it will not be used in vehicles any time soon. CNG is more practical and has been/is used. I suspect it's a cost issue; the home based compressors are a few thousand dollars (I think Honda's system is U$4.5K). The equipment to meter the fuel on the car is virtually the same as that used with LPG, whether carburetted or injected. The pressure regulators are different and the tanks bigger and heavier due to the higher pressure. Not sure about the range you quote but CNG will be less than LPG for the same volume - home based fuelling probably offsets that for most people. CNG, as a gas, doesn't have a level so a fuel gauge would be based on pressure. I'm sure a sender could be integrated with a factory petrol gauge with suitable electronics.
Thanks for pointing out that there is an automatic cut off thingo for the petrol pump if operating on lpg, there is also a low petrol warning that comes on when operating on lpg too.....it will first trigger when the vehicle is facing up hill!. However, in the absence of those is it really too hard to check the petrol level once in a while if constantly using lpg? or anticipate when some more petrol should be added.?
