What would it take to convert my 94 ford escort into a E85, LP, electric, or other alternate fuel vehicle?

Question

I have seen that you can convert your car into a propane/gas hybrid for relatively cheap, something around 150 bucks. Is this estimate true? I am just doing research on the internet into what it takes to convert a car and was hoping to get other peoples opinions and experiences. any help is appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

It's a Ford. It might already be a flex-fuel vehicle, which given its year, would probably mean it was factory designed to accept an optional LPG kit.  If so, it's an approved bolt-on which will pass smog. Done!

Lots of people convert cars to electric, and I believe the Escort is a good candidate.  However that's very expensive and involved, and requires a lot of design skill and compromises.  But at least passing smog isn't a problem, lol!   Check here http://www.evdl.org/ for more on that.

If you wanted to run an alternative fuel (E85 or LPG) in the existing engine, it wouldn't be terribly expensive, but  performance and "smog emissions" would suffer.  Don't even dream of trying that in a smog-control area, you would NOT pass inspection.  "smog emissions" are HC, CO, NOx, SO2, particulate etc. which tend to cause smog in your local region.   They are not greenhouse gases.

Answer 2

It will cost more than a '94 Escort is worth.

Answer 3

find a local group for electric conversion, in UK the battery vehicle society

http://batteryvehiclesociety.org.uk/word...

advantages of being able to bulk buy batteries etc

there is also a yahoo group for diy_ev

Conversion to electric is reasonably straignt forward, take out engine radiator, fuel system. connect an electric motor where the clutch spline fits, position batteries whereever possible

In my 205 that was 5 in bonnet & 5 in boot, to give good weight distribution. You may want to upgrade suspension depending on type & range of batteries.

it will cost more than $150, but

Electric will definitly give a much better solution, quiet, smooth, high torque - a joy to drive. and you have got rid of most of the unreliable components on an old car.

Answer 4

Natural gas causes less emissions than gasoline. E-85 is a joke Ford vehicles of the 90s were real flex fuel vehicles as you could put any amount of methanol, ethanol,or gasoline in the tank and the fuel injection system compensated

Answer 5

Why? Converting to LP is not that difficult, but the savings and pollution reduction is questionable. The other modifications would cost more than just purchasing a newer little car that gets about 38MPG which would reduce pollution and save you money.

Why do you think all these alternates are so much better? If they were, me and millions of others would be driving them. I am very concerned about pollution and have the means. I have not found any option other than a very small diesel/gas unit, or maybe a hybrid if primarily city driving are good options for now.