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need some info on propane..

twoslo4five0

twoslo4five0

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im at the point with my build where first-i have to go through a motor and rebild it,second-i need to figure what fuel im gonna use....dont really wanna go tbi or tpi cause too much wiring....not really a big fan of carbs...so im thinking of propane...i

heard its farily simple to install and have seen it in action (formud).....now what im wondering is A-should i do any serious mods (compression,ect)to the motor while im rebiling it for a more efficent propane system (really just need stock power thats all)...

B-where can i buy a kit or piece it togher...need to start pricing this whole deal out to see if its in my budget or not...
 
I would try and up the comp a little because the propane has a higher octane rating.As for a system I would look around some Med to Heavy duty truck salvage yards for some Propane delivery trucks or some Swan's ice cream trucks.Most runoff propane and that is how I have found them in the past.I have gotten them for as little as $50 without the tank.
 
i dont really mind buying a kit as long as it isint to expensive....that way i know everything is there....im prolly gonna run forklift tanks just for the reason that i can take a few on the trail and replace them as soon as they run out....formud wheeled on his almost all day till he ran out....im thinking vortec heads to boost the compression up a lil bit i think that would do it...i dont know if the motor has flat tops or dish pistions yet though...
 
I looked into this in great depth a while back. i found out propane is actualy a great feul, IF you build you engine for it. Basicaly LPG is simular to a dry form of 120 octaine so detonation isnt a problem. Therefore 12:1 compression wouldnt be a bad thing. The other part is LPG likes to breathe, meaning the better flow your engine has the happier it will be. sounds like a full on race engine BUT you need to get a LPG specific cam for optimum performance. I contacted both summit and jegs and both said almost all cam companies have a LPG cam. Bottom line is you can build a bad ass LPG engine that will be happy on the street, make great power and have decent economy. I would also look into the 4-7 swap cam while your at it. I belive this could be built at a reasonable price as well. At least when compaired to mid performance crate engines.

Also check my twin turbo 350 post, because the other thing i have learned about LPG is it LOVES boost.

Balzer
 
well my truck isnt a street truck....compression=$$$ big time...im trying to build this motor fairly cheap and dont need alot of power...i just really want it so i can run any angle and not have to worry about it cutting off...
 
twoslo4five0 said:
well my truck isnt a street truck....compression=$$$ big time...im trying to build this motor fairly cheap and dont need alot of power...i just really want it so i can run any angle and not have to worry about it cutting off...
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High compression doesn't equal big money. The fuel would be expensive except that you're using propane, which is significantly cheaper than gas.

If you're willing to deal with finding propane to refill your tank its a great way to go.
 
38377k5 said:
High compression doesn't equal big money. The fuel would be expensive except that you're using propane, which is significantly cheaper than gas.

If you're willing to deal with finding propane to refill your tank its a great way to go.
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well if you buy a rotating assmebly with dome pistions sure you can make compression....start getting some serious head work done and :doah:...you can spend alot of money....actually you can spend more on head work then the heads themselves....the race car i used to work on ran 13.5 to 1 with almost 6 grand in the heads alone....

propane costs about the same as gas i found out some where right around 20 to 30 dollars for a forklift tank that will last you about 8 hours or so...sepending on how much you let it idle..
 
sandracer799 said:
A quick google search and i found this :rolleyes: http://www.gotpropane.com/p4.html#Chevrolet

looks like the kit is $850 but does not come with a tank
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Check your web site again my friend. the v8 kits are just above $1000 like i said

Price: $1,250 for the V8 kit which uses state-of-the-art X-450 equipment. Includes Brand New throttle plate assembly. The holley kit also fits most chevys. This kit also comes with one set of tank brackets. Note: these do not include a tank. Possible Extras: Extra tank brackets available for $85

Price: $1,150, which includes a new throttle plate assembly. This bolts on in place of your existing carburetor. This price includes everything you'll need to do it right the first time. These are the same kit as the spreadbore kit but with a different throttle plate.Note: does not include a tank.

Balzer
 
original balzer said:
Check your web site again my friend. the v8 kits are just above $1000 like i said

Price: $1,250 for the V8 kit which uses state-of-the-art X-450 equipment. Includes Brand New throttle plate assembly. The holley kit also fits most chevys. This kit also comes with one set of tank brackets. Note: these do not include a tank. Possible Extras: Extra tank brackets available for $85

Price: $1,150, which includes a new throttle plate assembly. This bolts on in place of your existing carburetor. This price includes everything you'll need to do it right the first time. These are the same kit as the spreadbore kit but with a different throttle plate.Note: does not include a tank.

Balzer
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The way that website reads is at best confusing. Yes it's $1150, but could easily be construed as $850 due to a general lack of clear formatting.

I think the point was this; a quick search turned up lots of info, and I know for sure it has been discussed here before, ad nauseum.

John
 
Heck for $2500 or so you could buy my whole truck and get the propane with it:D . I do recommend building a motor for it they do take a different set up then gas to run great it will run either way, as in my truck, but your not getting all the benefits.

I have found that mine gets the same mileage with gas or propane the propane is just lots cheaper, so a ten gallon forklift tank is going to get you as far as a ten gallon gas tank, maybe less cuz you can't run it dry. I have a 100 gal tank and can run about 85-90 gallons out of it.
 
original balzer said:
Check your web site again my friend. the v8 kits are just above $1000 like i said

Price: $1,250 for the V8 kit which uses state-of-the-art X-450 equipment. Includes Brand New throttle plate assembly. The holley kit also fits most chevys. This kit also comes with one set of tank brackets. Note: these do not include a tank. Possible Extras: Extra tank brackets available for $85

Price: $1,150, which includes a new throttle plate assembly. This bolts on in place of your existing carburetor. This price includes everything you'll need to do it right the first time. These are the same kit as the spreadbore kit but with a different throttle plate.Note: does not include a tank.

Balzer
Click to expand...

Thanks for correcting me my Friend, would you like a cookie?
jackass.gif


The fact of my post was not really to get a price it was to show twoslo (who is known for asking questions that have been answered) that a simple 15 second search on google could answer his question.
 
sandracer799 said:
Thanks for correcting me my Friend, would you like a cookie?
jackass.gif


The fact of my post was not really to get a price it was to show twoslo (who is known for asking questions that have been answered) that a simple 15 second search on google could answer his question.
Click to expand...
i actaually searched for info on build a motor to run on propane and found thousands of posts on propane but no one building a motor for propane...there was nothing on it and if there was it was burried under thousands of pads and faps....i just happen to include the kit in there...its kinda like putting in double beadlock wheels in google and seeing usa6x6 come up but is that a reputable company??dont think so....
 
I made my system out of rebuilt parts and it cost about $500 less tank. I can't find the info on the company, it's out of Canada. Search on E-bay too.
I priced the components new at a forklift place and it was about $850 so paying $1200 is a rip off!!!
As for building a engine, I'm going to wait until this one blows up first. Then I'm build one at around 11.5 com with stock heads and a cam, won't cost much more than standard rebuild
 
Okay not to hijack or sound stupid but what are the benefits of converting to propane on a gas engine? I have only heard of it being used on diesels.
 
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