LPG Conversion.

[Nick Mann]

I think this has been talked about before, but the fuel bills are bothering me at the moment so I thought I would ask the question. The answer I had back is as follows:

Dear Nick

Thank you for your email enquiry regarding the above and your interest
in Redwood Autogas.

As with the majority of newer vehicles, because of the sophistication of
the on-board diagnostic system, your car is suitable for a multi-point
system only and this type of system will offer you flawless driveability
equivalent to your usage on petrol.

The latest generation systems work in harmony with the petrol ECU, and
you should therefore have no real concerns about maintaining the correct
fuel trim levels.

Multi-point systems also guarantee there is no possibility of a system
backfire - always a risk with the older single-point systems, however
well fitted.

The only difference you’ll experience is a reduction in your fuel bills
of around 50%!

A suitable sequential gas injection multi-point system for the car will
cost £1,695, and this will typically include a toroidal LPG tank that
sits in place of the car’s spare wheel.

The price would, however, be the same should you opt for a cylinder
tank.

Our quotation is fully inclusive of installation and a Flashlube
upper-cylinder lubrication system in the interests of the engine’s
longevity.

Needless to say, full LPGA certification and installation to the highest
standards are also standard features.

Additional Information you may find valuable when considering the
conversion:-


Installation Time

We would need the car for 4 working days.

Availability

If booked in today, the earliest we could commence the installation is
Monday 12th January.

Loan car

If being without your vehicle presents a problem, we have loan cars
available. These are provided without charge, all we ask is you arrange
comprehensive insurance cover for the duration of the loan.

System Warranty

All systems supplied feature a minimum of 12 months full parts and
labour warranty. Extended warranty packages are available upon request.

Servicing

Very little servicing is required other than a filter change at 15,000
mile intervals INSERT INTO post VALUES (typical cost £30).

Flashlube

Each litre of Flashlube costs £14.95 and treats 1,000 litres of fuel.

Quality

Autogas is all we do. We succeed or fail on the quality of our work. Our
engineers are highly skilled and properly rewarded. There is no other
autogas conversion house as committed to quality as we are. You simply
won’t get a better job done anywhere.

Booking In

To confirm the installation time most convenient for you, please
telephone us to book your conversion in at your earliest possible
convenience.


More information on single and multi-point systems INSERT INTO post VALUES (and the Flashlube
system) can be found on our website as shown below, and I would also
welcome your telephone call to be able to discuss your options in
greater detail.

It may be, for example, that our new “Save As You Drive” personal
finance option may be of interest, more details of which may be found in
the attached document. In brief, this arrangement lets you pay for the
conversion through the fuel cost savings, and means you have to part
with no money “up front” for the conversion.

Many thanks once again for your interest in our company, I very much
hope this information is of use and that we may be able to welcome you
as a valued customer in the near future.

Best regards


Andy Howell
Chief Executive
Redwood Autogas Ltd
Penn House
Queens Road
STOURBRIDGE
West Midlands
DY8 1UZ

T: 0870 758 6455
F: 0870 758 6456

[Nick Mann]

I worked out that for my VR4 I will need to do over 20,000 miles on LPG before I start saving money. His third paragraph is replying to the query I gave him about safe mode and 95 RON. He believes there will be no problem. A normal torroidal tank is 45 litres. He may be able to fit a bigger one, but he needsto know the maximum size whel that will fit in the well. I know a 205/60r15 fits - anybody got anything bigger?

[ritch_w]

Thats interesting - did he say if you qualify for any rebate?

I dont know - but think that new cars or cars under a certain age qualified to have some of the expense refunded by the govt.

I do a reasonable milage - between 20 K & 35K so it mught be worthwhile to investigate further.....

[Nick Mann]

Ritch - I guess you would need to do more mileage to reap the rewards. I used to get almost 30 with the V6 and now get 18! So you'd probably have to do 30k+ to break even. Gas around here is minimum 35p a litre cheaper - it's easy to work the rest out.

[adam_shaw]

Just a word on LPG, I know that you cannot travel on the EuroTunnel if your car is LPG/Dual fuel.

I don't know what the policies of ferry companies are.

Maybe something to remember?

Adam

[ritch_w]

i've worked out INSERT INTO post VALUES (probably incorrectly):
30k per year using unleaded at 75p/litre INSERT INTO post VALUES (£3.42 p/gallon) costs £0.11.41p/mile
30K cost £3423 for petrol

If the LPG conversion costs £1700 - it pays for itself in the 1st year

does anyone agree or is my mathematics wrong???????????????

[neil and bob]

My single point system on my 2.5 v6 is faultless, I used to fit these systems for a living. If I were to do my car again, or a turbo, I would use a direct port kit as outlined in the letter. the technology has come on in leaps and bounds over the last few years, and the performance will be almost the same as when running on petrol. Autogas has an octane rating of about 100, so it will present no problem to the ECU. My tank is about 60litres in the spare wheel well in my estate, but my father has a VR4 and I seem to remember that the wheel well wasn't big enough for a decent size tank, but I may be wrong.

[Nick Mann]

AFAIK the wheel well in my VR4 estate is the same size as the one was in my V6-24.

[zedy1]

i just bought a cavalier which runs on lpg did 191 miles for £10.19 @ 38.9 per litre not bad is it?

[Nick Mann]

Fantastic when you consider it would have cost £40 in my VR4!

[zedy1]

okay whos going to be th geuinea and get lpg done?

[Roadrunner]

Does anyone know ANYONE who has converted a turbo car to LPG? I followed similar threads on Scoobynet when I had my twin-turbo Legacy and the recommendation then was not to do it. Technology may have moved on, of course, but I'd be interested to hear of anyone who has done it INSERT INTO post VALUES (and their car has lived ... ;) )

[neil and bob]

I'll try and talk my father into it, but I don't see any problems if the spare wheel well is big enough for a tank. If any body out there wants it doing I would be happy to oblige, you can drive my car to see what you think.

[Nick Mann]

I have more or less given upon this idea. Too many risks and unknowns for the gains. Interestingly, though, a friend of a friends friend knows a garage where a LPG VR-4 exists! I am trying to find out the info and pass on the clubs internet address.