Well after you guys see this you may think I'm crazy but oh well. Around this time next year I want to pull the engine and rebuild it and trick it out extremely but I was reading an article about propane fuel systems. I know that my gas tank is almost 16 gallons and would it be worth while (just curious) to switch over the entire fuel system to a propane system. I can already see all the cons against this idea like 1) not being able to fill up whenever the hell I want, 2) I wouldn't be able to fill up by myself, 3) not enough room to store a large propane tank and other things. The pro's that I can think of are 1) unsurpassed engine life, 2) propane systems can still work w/ turbochargers, 3) maybe filling up would be cheaper (don't know), etc.
Give me some feedback b/c I like planning things ahead.

- Mike Harvey -

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The '86 Firebird http://www.geocities.com/flash_point2002

 

only thing i've ever saw was trucks because of the size and weight of the tank. in 86 some one in division 3 (nhra) had a grand am w/BBC and natural gas. he was an engineer for a gas companey. you have to have a high preasure tank then regulate it to low preasure and then at the intake regulate it to the finial preasue. the regulators were huge. you'd need a tall hood. for the cost you and time involved i'm sure you could buy another engine. if you're concerned with longevity run methanol instead of gas.

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ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd

 

It used to be common around here for farmers to use propane. A fairly simple conversion kit, with regulaters and a tank. The engines would last a long, long time with serious abuse and constant dirt. But, it 'used' to be common. Fuel injection is more difficult to convert(more expensive) than the simple carbs of the past, so as farmers destroy the old pickups(the engines still good) they get replaced with fuel injection. Also, propane used to be much cheaper to use compared to gas. I've been considering methel-alcohol, but it's more expensive to run and won't burn when it's really cold.


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82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro

 

Propane rocks

It's Cheaper to fill, you can fill up anywhere propane is sold.. You CANNOT park underground this causes the gas to expand creating cracks in the tank which will cause an explosion..
I BELIEVE DO NOT QUOTE ME the propane combusts Faster than Gas, and it should propane is a gas correct?

 

Your kidding right. Can't park it underground, how deep are you talking. So what happens if park at the bottom of a hill(at the same level as this underground parking) or you drive from colorado to kansas. The tank sitting in the sun will have way more effect than parking underground. Anyway, the pressure release will take care of any additional pressure.


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82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro

 

You can't park propane vehicles underground because propane is heavier than air. Any leaks will cause propane to accumulate in low areas and create an explosion hazard.

I know several people who converted their vehicles to propane years ago and are regretting it now. Propane is cheaper to buy than gasoline, but you get less mileage and less power than with gas. Right now around here it's more expensive to operate a propane vehicle than a gas one.

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1984 Camaro Z28 Astral Silver w/ 2 1/2" cowl induction hood
Engine: Decked 383 cid 4 bolt w/ oil cooler, 9.6:1 compression, ARP fasteners, 600 cfm Performer carburetor, Torker II intake, Performer RPM Heads, XE268H cam, Magnum roller tip rockers, MSD6AL ignition, Blaster2 coil, recurved HEI distributor
Exhaust: Terminator headers, Custom 3" TIG welded stainless exhaust, Twister muffler
Transmission: 4L60 w/ Corvette servo, .500 boost valve, TransGo 7-CS clutch springs, 700 PKH pump rings, 700-2 reprogramming kit, Borg-Warner High-Energy frictions & bands, 2400 RPM lockup torque converter
Drivetrain: 2.73:1 limited-slip Dana 44 w/ disc brakes
Tires: Front P225/50VR15 Rear P265/50VR15 Eagles

[This message has been edited by Apeiron (edited December 17, 2000).]

 

Also propane does not have the same amount of energy that gas does.

My dad converted a sears generator to propane and los about a tenth or so horsepower.

Yes it would burn cleaner, the engine lasts a long friggin' time, and you can have the car running with the garage door closed (DON'T QUOTE ME ON THAT). But the tanks are also heavy. stick with gas.

 

I saw a build up of a Propane or CNG mustang (forgive me). 650hp. You can have the best of both worlds. I'll see if I find the article.

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1983 T/A LG4 w/T-tops
Rebuilt/Modified E Q-jet
Custom Dual Ram-Air
Self painted cherry red w/ restored black/grey interior
Welded Comp Eng SFC
Tokico Struts/Shocks
Hotchkis LCAs and Panhard Bar
Energy Suspension bushings all around

 

Mike,

I have a little experience with LPG on industrial trucks. It burns extremely cleanly. Engines run on LPG have a much longer service life due to generally lower combustion pressures, thus lower power output. The beauty of LPG is that it has a failrly high autoignition temperature and as Ace pointed out, has lower heat energy than gasoline/air mixtures. It can therefore be used more successfully in much higher compression engines. This can offset the lost power from lower combustion pressure and make for a decent power output.

As others have indicated, a fuel system large enough to feed a SBC with adequate volume would be tough to come by. You might try looking into the Rego systems used on some newer Caterpillar lift trucks. Many new Cats are using 4.3L Chevrolet Vortec V-6 engines derated to 90 HP (from 190 HP on gasoline). A couple of these evaporators on a SCB might be enough to make some decent power. One system for every two holes would easily feed the stoutest 400 V-8. Plumbing and intake would probably be a complete custom build, however.

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Later,
Vader
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"No matter how hard you try you can't stop us now"
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0

 

I think GM test fires new crate motors on Propane, or at least thats what I've been told. Maybe it's my imagination but when I pulled the intake off my ZZ4 to install the TPI it smelled like propane!


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Rob P
89RSconvtZZ4TPI
92Z28convt5spd
71Impala convt 402BB
BETTER DRIVING THRU SUPERIOR HORSEPOWER!

 

Successful propane conversion requires a very high compression ratio! Propane contains less energy than gasoline, but because it has such a high octane rating, performance can be recovered by shaving the heads or using popup pistons. 11:1 CR is very realistic. There's no reason why 10:1 w/turbocharging can't be done on LP.

People who simply convert to a LPG carb, and do nothing else, end up with zero performance even though it may run well.