[Ralf S.]

Has anyone converted their old donkey to run on LPG?

What system did you use? There's a few out there and I'm trying to get an idea which one is the best value...

Is it any good? Reliabiltiy is easy to understand.. but did you experience any running issues (lumpiness, hesitation etc.)?

What sort of mpg do you get (on just petrol and on gas... since driving styles vary).

Who fitted it and did they solve any issues?

I'm just exploring if it's something with any potential or worth doing at the moment.. (break-even point would appear to be about 2 years and 8 months at my present mileage of 12,000 a year).

Ta.


Ralf S.

 

[jtalfa]

Had my 166 converted with a stag systm can't tell the difference
if you try this company ask for andrew he will give 10% off to forum members
Profess LPG LTD - Busiest LPG Gas Converison Centre, Car LPG Conversion Installers, AC STAG Trainers, Direct LPG Importers and Retailers in Wales
currently £1050 for a V6
if you checkout the 166 forum a few of us have had it done here.

 

[jtalfa]

Lpg

CHECKOUT THIS THREAD

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa...here-with-lpg-conversions-of-their-166-a.html

 

[Turtle4288]

I have driven 5000 miles since an 800 quid conversion and its half way to paying for itself.

Crap power above 5000 rpm but otherwise is smoother than petrol.

28 mpg on Petrol and 24 on LPG I estimate. Helps to have a 69p filling station nearby (lots are 79p).

System is Oscar M. Seems to do the job!

 

[biffa]

Depends what engine your running... I run a JTS on LPG and its ****, will only run on gas over 1800 rpm so 30mph in 4th is out...
TS engine run really well on gas, as do V6's. If you do get it converted make sure you get the tank for you spare wheel well and ask them to fit the slightly smaller one the 60ltr tank is too large...

My system is the Romano as fitted (back when it was offered) by AR themselves...

 

[Ralf S.]

CHECKOUT THIS THREAD

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa...here-with-lpg-conversions-of-their-166-a.html

Cheers JT... that thread is really useful.

I've got to MoT the beast in the next fortnight and then if it's solid I'll have a look at the actual latest costs of petrol and gas to see how soon it would pay for itself.. My rough guess is about 2 years, since I'd do more mileage if the fuel is cheaper.. :thumbs:

Does the Profes (Stag) system have a manual over-ride so it can be switched to petrol on-demand, or does it only use petrol (other than starting) when the gas has run out?

Ralf S.

 

[ChrisS]

I posted a bit on that thread myself as I was going to get my 166 done at Profess....but in the end, I gave up on the idea on the grounds I do so few miles it would never pay for itself before the car reached it's twilight years.

FWIW, my 5.7l Hemi Jeep runs the same on LPG (Prins system) as it does on petrol, and costs the same or slightly less to run as the 166 on the exact same journeys. Any decent modern system should work perfectly. The power loss should be pretty much undetectable. If not, it's not working right or it's not configured right.

If the car is sound, you plan on keeping it a while and you do the miles....it's a no-brainer IMO.

 

[black cat]

Until the government catch on to it and put gas up to the same price as petrol

John

 

[jtalfa]

the stag system starts on petrol the switches over to LPG you can set it to switch back to petrol if you go past 5000 rpm so if you are driving hard the performance is still good. With a laptop and the software you can switch each injector between petrol and lpg so say run 5 cylinders on lpg one on petrol which helps if you do have any problems. The system is self learning so gets better once it adapts to your driving.
It is at the cheaper end of the market but is well regarded on the LPG forum.

I have also been running a 75 on LPG its now done 324000 miles but I am so impressed with the stag system I will be fitting the kit to the 75 when the engine finally lets me down (I have been waiting for that to happen for 10 years but its still running)

 

[Ralf S.]

the stag system starts on petrol the switches over to LPG you can set it to switch back to petrol if you go past 5000 rpm so if you are driving hard the performance is still good.

I was wondering because I've seen some systems with a little switch... whereas the Profess website gallery shows photos of just a 5-LED gas level/pressure gauge. I think I would like the option to manually select to run on benzina .. though not sure why I would.

I guess they or someone could rig up an over-ride up (maybe just turn off leccy to the gas ECU or something..?)

Where do they stick the ECU...? I've seen a few cars where the airbox has to be replaced by a cone filter or similar.. which would be a drag.

Ralf S.

 

[jtalfa]

the switch is built into the LEDs you can't feel it switch from one to anouther if you press it. It will switch automaticly to petrol if you run out of LPG and bleep to let you know

 

[jtalfa]

sorry missed the question about the ecu
on my 166 V6 its fitted on the bulkhead next to the break master cylinder but it depends where you cars ecu is located it could be fitted inside the car.

something to think about is that you don't need a CAT so you could remove that if needed replacing

 

[ChrisS]

Until the government catch on to it and put gas up to the same price as petrol

John

Not that you can trust them an inch, but the Govt have stated that as LPG is a 'green' fuel, they are committed to maintaining a duty differential with petrol/diesel.

Most LPG is waste product anyway apparently, so it would be nice, if naive, to think that the producers would rather make a few p a litre than just flaring it off. Increased demand might encourage them to do that.