Conversion of modern gasoline engine to LP gas?

Question

There is a general aversion to convert new cars to LP gas even if good coversion kits are available in my country. Most of the mechanics advise against that saying it could reduce the life span of the engine.But the articles I have read say otherwise.

I have a Toyota car with a VVT-i engine.Will there be problems if I convert it using a third generation gas conversion kit?

Answer 1

Whats the point of converting the engine?  Both gas and LP are hydrocarbons.  They should both burn with about as much in the way of CO2 emissions per mile driven.

Answer 2

While there are quite a few viable technologies for converting your car to LP I would think seriously about doing it for the following reasons:

-LP can burns cleaner, but you'll burn more of it. LP gas has less potential energy per unit weight than gasoline or diesel fuels.

-LP gas cost per gallon better be a whole lot cheaper than gasoline for the conversion make sense.

-LP gas better be readily available in your area or you may have a hard time filling up on longer trips.

-LP gas, when it burns in the combustion chamber, does not burn off the thin coating of oil on the cylinder wall as much as gasoline. This means that top end cylinder lubrication is better. The LP gas gensets I've worked with run 'for ever' and start very easily even after a significant number of hours on them.

Answer 3

LP Gas is usually easily available... its called "Propane"  Any place that serviced recreational vehicles or barbecue grills will have it.

An improperly done propane conversion will overheat the engine and destroy it.  A properly done conversion is not a problem.

The main problem with the conversions is the cost to get it done.  It will take quite a while to have it pay off....

The main reason the conversions were popular in the gas shortages of the 70's and 80's was that propane was still available when there was no gasoline.  No long line to fill up.  No limit on how much you bought.

Note that "Scwan's" food delivery trucks are propane powered.

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Because propane is not used as commonly for transportation, the Federal government hasn't put the highway taxes on propane that are included in the cost of gasoline and diesel.  Right there you will save money. (until the government figures out that too many people are converting to propane...)

There IS a way to buy gasoline that doesn't have the highway taxes...  but its illegal to use that gasoline in a car.  (and it has a dye in it so the DOT can check if they suspect you are avoiding the tax)  Its more common to see the diesel which is for farm use than the gasoline though...

Answer 4

LP conversions have been around a long time. They're more economical. Contact Toyota they may do the conversion for you.

Answer 5

as a mechanic i would'nt recommend, your not gonna have as much power out of your engine, and you will use alot more fuel, cancelling out your emmisons gain...not to mention that you have to run propane/LPG at very high pressure...you'd be driving a bomb if you were in a collision and the vapor ignited

Answer 6

I took a week long class at Impco Technologies and was very impressed. As I remember the only drawback was fuel availability. http://www.impco.ws/  Propane is more efficient than Natural Gas, and if I were to have a choice it would be Propane.

Answer 7

If I were you, I would wait for the technology to be more perfect. I think not too many are changing their vehicles at this point. I have no idea myself, sorry, but I think you should call Toyota directly and ask.

Answer 8

not to mention LP is way more dangerous....