Petrol to Gas conversion...

[Sarah chantal]

Was looking at converting the mitz vr4 from petrol to gas, it drinks loads of fuel! i know it can be done in the VR4 as their are a few people i know who have. it doesnt affect preformance and is so much cheaper to run. Plus you can still use petrol if your unable to find any gas....

Anyone done this on the Zed? (Is their actually a space to house it?)

[Paddy78]

I've not heard of a conversion. I'm not sure the Zed engine would take to it long term... Besides, if fuel cost is an issue, then you probably have the wrong car? You could get a cheap run-around for the price of a decent conversion.

Edited November 23, 2014 by Paddy78

[Flex]

I think there was a few conversions years back, went POP! End of story, not worth it.

[veilside z]

The gas tank fits in the wheel well and replaces the spare tyre. Prices range from around £1600 upwards, depending on the quality of kit used.

[Flex]

The gas tank fits in the wheel well and replaces the spare tyre. Prices range from around £1600 upwards, depending on the quality of kit used.

 

Just ignore my post then.

[Tricky-Ricky]

Most engines including turbocharged respond positively to gas conversions, if done properly, just like anything else the bad ones get the bad publicity.

[Sarah chantal]

I've not heard of a conversion. I'm not sure the Zed engine would take to it long term... Besides, if fuel cost is an issue, then you probably have the wrong car? You could get a cheap run-around for the price of a decent conversion.

I've not heard of a conversion. I'm not sure the Zed engine would take to it long term... Besides, if fuel cost is an issue, then you probably have the wrong car? You could get a cheap run-around for the price of a decent conversion.

I don't have a problem with the running costs- I was just thinking of the future, incase I did. Lol. Apparently it doesn't really affect engine etc. but Im yet to fully look in to it

[Sarah chantal]

I think there was a few conversions years back, went POP! End of story, not worth it.

Ah okay! I won't then in that case! Lol

[Sarah chantal]

Most engines including turbocharged respond positively to gas conversions, if done properly, just like anything else the bad ones get the bad publicity.

Okay, thanks. The cars I've known to have it done are twin turbo and have responded positively. But not known anyone have it done in a Zed yet.

Edited November 23, 2014 by Sarah chantal

[Sarah chantal]

Getting some contradictory posts here, as expected, but I do like to take everyone's points of view and experiences so I can make a choice

Edited November 23, 2014 by Sarah chantal

[Sarah chantal]

The gas tank fits in the wheel well and replaces the spare tyre. Prices range from around £1600 upwards, depending on the quality of kit used.

Okay thanks.

[rtbiscuit]

From memory the ones that went pop, had issues with the system not self lubricating. It could be bad choice of system or system failure. But they do require more maintenance and tweaking than you think. The units need servicing by a specialist, on top of your usual car service. Once fitted they sometimes need tweaking a few times till try run sweet. Best to go for something like a prinz system and one that has built in self lubrication. But even then you need to check the oil regularly on the system to make sure its working. Works best on big engines as they rev less and are built to stronger. Lots do it to V8 s as they seem to take it well.

 

Cars on LPG lose about 10-20% of their performance and their mpg drops about the same amount. If your drive to work is less than 10 miles then the system is ineffective as the engine has to reach a certain temperature before it starts using the gas. And its even longer on winter mornings. So if your daily drive is short it will still only burn petrol and then switch over for the last part to gas.

 

Cost of fitting means that you need to be driving around 20k a year for 2 years to make back the cost of fitting. So if you drive only 10k a year its more like 4 years before you start saving money.

 

LPG is good, but only for the right mind of person, generally high mileage drivers

[Grundy]

From the thread on here before, it was calculated that it would take a lot of miles and and a lot of money to break even to even make it close to worth it :/

[Sarah chantal]

Thanks both, very useful information. I did average about 15k a year, but was trying to keep mileage down on this car (not because of costs particularly) but because I didn't want to put miles on the clock.

[Mudman]

Must admit I was conscious of putting miles on my Zed at first but I bought it to drive it not look at it or keep the mileage low so the next person gets the benefit. I do have a company car for work but weekends/holidays is all Zed

[rtbiscuit]

Thanks both, very useful information. I did average about 15k a year, but was trying to keep mileage down on this car (not because of costs particularly) but because I didn't want to put miles on the clock.

its not a collectors car, at the moment its only going to depreciate, better to enjoy the car than worry about mileage. If it was a Ferrari I'd say you have a case.

[KyleR]

You'll save about 40% per fill up at current prices but lose about 20-25% mpg. So in reality you're only saving about 20% on fuel. Not worth it IMO considering the £2k upfront cost and extra maintenance.

[liamgdr]

I would be worried about the price of lpg going up, I also read lpg filling stations have halved in the last few years, plus I doubt many people will buy a converted zed when its time to sell, to many negatives for me.