| Author | Message | ||
     davidhall Unregistered guest |
Has anybody had, or know anything about, having a LPG system fitted to an injected Spirit/Spur? I have had replies from three companies Two of them have said "No problem. Give us your money". One said don't do it! What does the forum think? (Message approved by david_gore) | ||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 4059 Registered: 04-2003 |
IMHO a waste of time and money. LPG, like petrol/gasoline and diesel fuels, has a short future life span as they are hydrocarbons and the cost of installing these on a car will be unlikely to be recovered during your period of custodianship. I would leave your car "as is" and reconsider a change in fuel source in the future when fossil fuels are no longer favoured and electric/hydrogen fuel car technology is readily available and reasonably priced. From a technology view point, my choice would be a battery EV conversion AFTER longer-life and less expensive alternatives to the existing expensive Li-ion batteries which lose effective range over time are available. Advances in hydrogen fuel cell technology may also occur to make this a viable alternative to battery-powered EV's. There have been LPG-fuelled RR/B vehicles here in Australia for many years; some privately owned but I suspect the majority have been in hire car/limousine commercial use where the cost of conversion can be recovered over the life of the vehicle. | ||
| Brian Vogel Grand Master Username: guyslp Post Number: 3258 Registered: 06-2009 |
I agree with David, on all counts. Even more so if the car in question is for "pleasure use." It would take an awful lot of petrol/gasoline to recover the cost of an LPG conversion, and it would appear that such will, eventually, "go the way of the dinosaur." I also don't think that gasoline powered vehicles and the infrastructure for same will be going away anytime soon. New vehicles will almost certainly all go electric, but the embedded base of petrol powered vehicles is absolutely immense, as is the infrastructure to support them. And in less developed nations I suspect that petrol powered vehicles will remain in place for decades, as the infrastructure for electricity is iffy, at best, and likely to lag way behind what would be needed for a primarily electric powered vehicle "critical mass" to come into being. Brian | ||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2488 Registered: 09-2004 |
IMHO to have a LPG conversion on a Shadow is the best thing since sliced bread. LPG has less CO (30%+) and 80% less nitrogen oxide and 60% less carbon monoxide pollutants. Having run my Shadow one on a open loop system since 2005 if I remember correctly. The Spririt will need a closed loop system. Boot trunk is large enough to fit the LPG tank with much room to spare. I use a petrol oil mix on start up once now and then on the mileage use for the valve stem lube as lpg runs drier. Can all be fitted and removed if purchased later if bought for a Garage Queen (for show and little use) LPG is not just all about cost savings of which there are many. The engine will take kindly to LPG with a clean burn, oil within the engine will stay clean, pistons valve etc will not suffer from effects of carbon. Great for the air the grandchildren breath! Remember to inform insurance company of any mods if carried out.  | ||
| davehall Unregistered guest |
Thanks for all the opinions on the subject of LPG. I have decided to book my car in for the dual fuel modification. Having sourced information from several outlets, Silver Spirit owners and engine specialists here in the uk. My car is now on an increasingly long waiting list. ULEZ in uk cities are growing. For some this may appear to be an extra tax burden on motorists. Cleaner exhausts cost money. ELECTRIC conversion zero emissions. Tesla drive motors, batteries, associated wiring plus conversion costs would be in excess £40,OOO. LPG conversion. 60-75% emission Reduction. Drive in, drive away £1750. IMHO For me LPG is the only affordable answer. (Message approved by david_gore) | ||
| michael vass Frequent User Username: mikebentleyturbo2 Post Number: 761 Registered: 07-2015 |
£1750 seems cheap Dave? Let us know how it goes 😊. Mike | ||
| davehall Unregistered guest |
Just a quick update. My Spirit is now in the workshop for its LPG conversion. Total cost now we have agreed the size, siting of the tank and the modifications necessary to the petrol injection system is £1800, £1500+20% vat I will compare and report relative fuel/mileage consumption and costings once I have used 100 ltrs of both fuels (Message approved by david_gore) | ||
| Cliff Biggs Experienced User Username: cliffy Post Number: 67 Registered: 09-2021 |
Watching this thread closely Interested in how it all turns out Back in the 70s a friend had a Caddy El Do that he put a dual fuel system on and it worked perfect. Can you tell us the manufacturer of the system you are putting in? I would really like to study up on it Here's hoping it comes out great! | ||
| davehall Unregistered guest |
My Spirit has now had its IMPCO LPG System conversion. All went smoothly and apart from the new airbox on the inner wing everything under the bonnet looks visibly untouched. Prior to the installation she was given a long run, driven as economically and as frugally as possible. This gave a consumption of 4 miles per litre or approx. 18 miles per gallon. After the LPG installation she was given a similar run. This time it included many hard accelerations both at speed and up steep hills, for performance testing. This combined with lots of stop-starts crawling along in peek time traffic thoroughly tested her overall smoothness. Checking mileage driven against the LPG consumed gave consumption of 2 miles per litre or approx.9 mpg. it wouldn't usually be driven with such a pussy-foot as in the petrol economy trial. Similarly, it would never be driven as a tyre smoking boy-racer would, as in the LPG performance tests. I would, in fairness estimate and aim for midway. Somewhere like 12 mpg normal driving In summary my car can now be driven with a clear conscience. as post installation, an exhaust emission measurement confirmed the desired massive reduction My £1800 had paid for. (Message approved by david_gore) | ||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2540 Registered: 09-2004 |
Great job with LPG. Have you updated the plugs for running LPG I use the NGK Laser Line no2 from memory. | ||
| David Hall New User Username: daveh Post Number: 9 Registered: 02-2021 |
The Silver Spirit has just had another MOT pass . One advisory, parking brake efficiency being a little on the low side.The Exhaust gasses were negligable, being well down owing to running on lpg fuel. She has now had 6 months or so using it and is running nicely with fuel consumption of almost the same as on petrol @ 3.5 mpl. | ||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2568 Registered: 09-2004 |
Well done the running efficiencies are very good, engine oil just does not go black with the carbon engine should now last for years. The new petrol and derv cars when banned and we are left with low fuel production, and that will cost earth for the fueling of classic cars. LPG is the way forward IMO! |
