Auto-LPG Conversion Thread

[buknoy2002]

any updates on LpG?

meron na bang nakapagconvert na tsikoteer?

[ghosthunter]

currently, I saw the LPG station of NAIDS along pioneer in mandaluyong. Its been operating for a few months na. I can see lots of taxis being converted and (I assume) being refilled with LPG daily.

[buknoy2002]

so shell & petron pa rin.

and the shell version can be converted to allow refill at petron stations?

bukas na ba yong sa visayas ave station?

[ghosthunter]

so shell & petron pa rin.

and the shell version can be converted to allow refill at petron stations?

bukas na ba yong sa visayas ave station?

...er.... I didn't say anything about shell nor about petron... I just said that NAIDS have their operations running at the pioneer street in mandaluyong city.

[charmander]

i saw the review on studio 23 a week ago. they test drove it first sa city streets and then sa racetrack. sabi ok naman daw for city driving pero one driver said "we shouldnt have tested it on the racetrack"

[ghosthunter]

One major problem with "racing" a LPG converted car is the tank location. Although its located between the rear wheels (where most gasoline tanks are located), its position is relatively higher (above the wheels) so the car's center of gravity will be affected. This is not that important to normally driven cars but in a track driven car, it is very important.

[niky]

http://www.autoindustriya.com/articles/fa00056.shtml

In a world about to be laid low by the aftereffects of exhaust gases from gasoline (and diesel) engines and the rapid depletion of petroleum reserves, governments worldwide have encouraged the development of alternative fuels.



One such fuel is liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). LPG has been used as automotive fuel (or autogas) for more than four decades in progressive and developing countries (such as Italy and South Korea), with eight million vehicles worldwide currently tapping LPG as the automotive fuel of choice.



Unfortunately the number of Philippine vehicles using LPG as autogas is insignificant; but with the stringent vehicle emissions (and the mandatory rules and regulations enforcing the law) stemming from the 1999 Clean Air Act, it is forecast that the use of LPG as automotive fuel will increase.

Petron Corporation has realized this and recently launched Petron XTend Autogas. Basically an installation of an LPG tank in the trunk, an LPG bypass valve (sitting on top of the intake manifold) and a conversion kit that enables one’s engine to run on LPG, XTend Autogas surpasses other conventional fuels in terms of emissions (for example, 0.09 hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide are emitted by XTend, unlike 0.14 hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide emitted when gasoline is used). It also does not contain lead and very minute amounts of sulfur, contains less ozone- and CO2- forming properties, and prolongs the life of the engine due to the lack of acids and carbon deposits present when burning gasoline (which results in less wear and tear on the engine).

For those who have doubts about the safe use of “cooking gas” as autogas, one may consider the following: 1) LPG tanks are made of the highest quality steel and are tested to high pressure, which do not puncture easily and are manufactured in accordance with standards set by the international governing associations in automotive use of LPG; 2) LPG tanks are equipped with a device that automatically shuts off LPG flow when filling reaches 80 percent of capacity, which allows for temperature changes and prevents the release of gas from the tank; 3) Autogas engine fuel systems are fitted with safety devices, vents, magnetically controlled fuel sensors, heavy duty copper pipings and electrically controlled shut-off valves that function automatically in case of fuel line ruptures, thus preventing uncontrolled flow of LPG from the tank; 4) Autogas has the least flammability range (two to ten percent) of any alternative fuel, does not soak clothing and easily dissipates in the air in case of minor leaks because of an added odorant within the product; 5) Even at cold starts, engine performance is similar, with little emissions, no smoke, no carbon exhaust “smell”, little engine noise and smoother combustion, eliminating the need for costly fuel additives.

To wit, Autogas has a simpler chemical makeup (mostly hydrocarbons, with 60-70 percent propane and 30-40 percent butane) which leaves very little carbon residue. Although it is found in liquid (pressurized) form when it is in the fuel tank, Autogas becomes a gas when it enters the engine, leaving less carbon deposits than gasoline or diesel. And speaking of gasoline, Autogas has a higher octane content than super grade gasoline, with the former at a 100 octane rating and the latter at 98.

Autogas can be used on four-stroke spark ignition engines can be converted to bi-fuel (Autogas and standard gasoline), including turbocharged and fuel-injected engines. This is done by adding a second independent fuel system to the vehicle, with the tank fitted to the spare wheel well or the trunk (occupying roughly one-third of the boot). The conversion costs about P26,000 (for carburetor-based engines) and P32,000 (for EFI-based engines) and can be completed in one day.

If warranty is a problem, Petron claims that vehicle manufacturers can only void the warranty in respect of the parts affected by the conversion, and capable conversion kit installers can provide additional warranties to cover these areas. If insurance is a problem, Petron recommends notification of one’s insurance company if the vehicle has been converted; otherwise the cover may be invalidated.

[niky]

If you can't see the pictures, click the links below:
http://www.autoindustriya.com/images...fa00056_03.jpg
http://www.autoindustriya.com/images...fa00056_01.jpg

[niky]

Sorry kung na-post na ito sa LPG thread, but I couldn't find it on the search function.

This is cool... I wasn't aware of the local availability of EFI kits. I've got one guinea pig ripe for modifying. :D

[mazdamazda]

niky... may LPG conversion center along Pioneer... malapit sa Globe Telecoms Plaza.

[ghosthunter]

the one along Pioneer is the NAIDSS lpg conversion/service station. They have LPG kits for both carb & efi.

Just note that NAIDSS & Petron systems are basically the same except for the filler nozzle. That's probably so you would be a "loyal" customer to whoever you bought your kit from.

[ghosthunter]

Sorry kung na-post na ito sa LPG thread, but I couldn't find it on the search function.

threads have been merged

This is cool... I wasn't aware of the local availability of EFI kits.

I think that point has been mentioned in the original thread.

I've got one guinea pig ripe for modifying. :D

Just to remind you, the LPG tank is mounted above your rear axel. Your car's CG will be affected. And the kit's price is more than P35,000 (before the hybrid fuel tax cute ruling)... do you use that much gasoline to let the kit payback for itself (in terms of savings) under 1.5 years?

[meierdemilan]

We are italian producer of lpg cng sequential system kit
please check our website www.kingas.com

[niky]

*ghosthunter: Not really... we're not using it at all, at the moment, but I find it an interesting prospect.

When we were using the car, we put over 50k km on it in a year. Abuso talaga sa engine ang business trips...

[ghosthunter]

We are italian producer of lpg cng sequential system kit
please check our website www.kingas.com

do you have any local dealers who can give us a price quote on your system?

[zman]

any tsikoteer who've tried this?

btw, does anyone have an idea on how much weight the additional equipment adds a vehicle?

[ghosthunter]

I think the system adds around 30kg to 80kg (full LPG tank).

Curiously I saw the taxi cabs in Melbourne, Australia to be running on LPG... similar system being sold in Metro Manila.

[KoKoNAT]

That is correct. Almost all of the taxis here in Australia are dual fuel (LPG+petrol) as taxis here are full-size sedans or station wagons with 6cyl engines. I have yet to see one that is not dual fuel.

Our kapitbahay has a dual-fuel current model Corolla with 1.8l VVT-I engine. If you want I can ask him questions/take pictures.

[Leroy Brown]

I passed by Petron Marcos Hi-way and I think they have this project to convert cars to be LPG-fed (actually bi fuel kasi iretain ata orig na set-up)... Extend Autogas ata... basta orange-colored yung coding nya... Anyone tried it?

[zero]

they only convert cars with carb engines.
i've talked to a petron representative two weekends ago at the fort where they had a booth display. its korean technology daw and it will costs you more than P26,000 for the convertion. according to them, their customers are mostly taxi operators. you can still use unleaded fuel when you ran out of LPG. LPG fuel costs P21/liter daw and there are currently 5 petron LPG refilling stations daw in the metro.