lpg conversion

[therench]

was thinking about getting a diesel cupra to replace my petrol one due to poor mpg and someone said what about a lpg conversion, has anyone had one on a cupra? what are the down sides will i loose any power? quick google search and these seem reasonable prices

http://www.autogassolutions.co.uk/lpg-prices/standard-conversions

 

[Seatmann]

Lpg can work on big engines but from what I've picked up you will lose power and it's a bit rubbish on smaller engines.

 

[Pyro]

Dont why you would lose power?? I'm the one who mentioned it in your last thread () lol

The biggest downside is the tank it's pretty big and takes up alot of boot space btw it's worth it

 

[Pyro]

Those prices are really good to I'm now considering it

 

[Seatmann]

Have a good google around and you'll need to check on wether the vag engines need the extra lube for the valves too, any warranty you might have will more than likely be out the window, I was just reading a letter from bmw about the mini and how they don't recomend it due to possible problems but I would do plenty of research first. On one of the scooby sites they're talking about the thermal properties of lpg too and if you go above a certain point in revs the lpg will fly through and you'll end up just drinking it so like I said do plenty of research if you want to go down that route but seriously if you want economy, buy a diesel.

 

[Klone]

i've looked into this myself... and there is a forum member on here that converted his cupra to lpg a few years ago im sure... and he has been fine since and hasnt lost power.

The downsize is the tank, but alot of people buy the "donut" that goes in the spare wheel well

*edit*

as per the extra lube seatmann... for a little bit more you can get the premium kits which have"flash lube" lubrication system? not that i know what that is

 

[tom0311]

Tempted to do this in a year or so to be honest. Does the car switch between petrol and autogas depending on the running temperature or something?

 

[renton500]

Normally it'll start on petrol and switch over to gas automatically when the required temp is reached. You can switch back over to petrol manually if required or some systems switch back over to petrol automatically when the gas runs out.

Also, some system on high performance engines can be set up to inject some petrol with the lpg when needed, i.e. under hard driving etc. This isn't always neccessary though, it all depends on the type of conversion, having the right injectors and having it installed\configured by someone who knows what they're doing.

There are plenty of cheap conversions and plenty of people taking shortcuts when installing them. It's best to spend a bit extra and get a good system installed by someone who's converted high performance cars in the past.

 

[Slimy]

There are plenty of cheap conversions and plenty of people taking shortcuts when installing them. It's best to spend a bit extra and get a good system installed by someone who's converted high performance cars in the past.

Agreed, try and look for a place that has actually done a conversion on a 1.8t, perhaps even getting the owners details to make sure they've not had any trouble with it.

Don't ever go for a DIY job, while the kits are well within the competence level of most home mechanics, the correct setting up is well out of range. It's a bit like someone putting a new turbo on their car and then trying to remap it with VAGCOM!

 

[seatcupramad23]

was thinking about getting a diesel cupra to replace my petrol one due to poor mpg and someone said what about a lpg conversion, has anyone had one on a cupra? what are the down sides will i loose any power? quick google search and these seem reasonable prices

http://www.autogassolutions.co.uk/lpg-prices/standard-conversions

ok i've got a cupra running on e-gas system for 4 years, from the experience i had with mine is that rolling roaded as standard was that 183 bhp and 174lb/tor on petrol and 178bhp and 168lb/tor on gas by r tech rollers and i was told the loss was due to heat soak,
now i have revo stage 1 with a few mods fmic and turbo back was rolling roaded again at r tech 222bhp and 234 lb/tor and 229bhp and 212lb/tor , i was abit amazed that it pull more peak power than running on petrol , i also as told this maybe due to lpg octane being approx 103 ron .

since i've had it there as been no issues at all change the filter once a year for £30 and thats it, gas switch over automatically after engine temp being over 35 degress because gas can't work under that temperature , maybe i've been one of the lucky ones but cars been bullet proof gave me alot less problems than my other cupra's only thing had to change was maf and breather hose, i recommend if you thinking of converting get simple system that just copies what the petrol injectors do if you looking remap the car later because the newer more complex system have stand alone ecu that if you alter the petrol brain the gas brain will also need to be altered,

 

[tom0311]

Good info so far. Seatcupramad where did you get yours done mate?

 

[seatcupramad23]

place called hardy's cost around £1600 but it cost alot less than that now , saved me shed loads over the years cost me around £32 to fill which gives me 230-250 miles mixed town and a road driving and 300 miles if motorway even on revo stage 1

 

[BASH29]

i had the conversion on my 1.4i civic, when people say lpg is no good on small engines, its not true, i did not lose any power and in return i was getting 140 miles to £10 gas, but it was 52p litre back then.

i got my conversion from birmingham new star city, local mechanic who has converted most the local taxi's. when i asked him about the conversion on my lcr he advised go for it, but considering i only drive about 4k per yr, its not really worth it.

the lube kits are good, but you have to make sure you get the mixing right as some garages run the lube rich and its not cheap at £10 litre, it soon adds up.

if you drive more than 10k miles per year, this option is well worth it and you will see a return as soon as month ten if you drive approx 20k miles per year.

 

[Pyro]

I did 20K in 6 months maybe I should look into this lol

 

[Seatmann]

If only there was a way to hook up the drivers seat to the tank I'd save loads of money.

 

[MJ]

Dont know why you would lose power?

LPG is not as combustable as petrol.

if any of you guys have ever seen the standard of work these LPG "conversion" centres put out then i think you'd reconsider taking the route.

 

[renton500]

LPG is not as combustable as petrol.

if any of you guys have ever seen the standard of work these LPG "conversion" centres put out then i think you'd reconsider taking the route.

I agree, some cowboys will do very bad jobs of installing them and they'll never run right. Ive seen installations where they haven't even removed the inlet manifolds to drill the holes in them.

A good installation shouldn't loose any power though and there are plenty of places that will do a good professional job. it's often a case of you get what you pay for so i would def recommend not scrimping if getting a conversion done and use an installer who's come recommended.

 

[seatcupramad23]

LPG is not as combustable as petrol.

if any of you guys have ever seen the standard of work these LPG "conversion" centres put out then i think you'd reconsider taking the route.

would have disagree if you do take it to cowboys then you'll get what you pay for but , mine was done properly and even been complimented by seat for the quality of the installation , mines been on for 4 years and still going strong , will admit if you look at my rolling road fiqures i do loose a bit of peak torque but not much but do gain a bit more peak power on the road , i guarantee you would not no what fuel it's running on.

the only thing i've notice is that when running on petrol it sometimes bangs and pops but won't bang and pop on gas, also that the exhaust is clean (no soot or carbon build up), compared to leon cupra's i've owned in the pass , i have heard horror stories but no doubt most of them is people that tried to do it themsleves or people taking it to cowboys saying they no what there doing

 

[BASH29]

would have disagree if you do take it to cowboys then you'll get what you pay for but , mine was done properly and even been complimented by seat for the quality of the installation , mines been on for 4 years and still going strong , will admit if you look at my rolling road fiqures i do loose a bit of peak torque but not much but do gain a bit more peak power on the road , i guarantee you would not no what fuel it's running on.

the only thing i've notice is that when running on petrol it sometimes bangs and pops but won't bang and pop on gas, also that the exhaust is clean (no soot or carbon build up), compared to leon cupra's i've owned in the pass , i have heard horror stories but no doubt most of them is people that tried to do it themsleves or people taking it to cowboys saying they no what there doing

totally agree. there are mechanics out there that promise a quality finish for £800, but they will end up using cheap parts. no matter how good the installation, its only as good as the parts used! for a 4cylinder motor you should be looking around the £1200+ mark

 

[seatcupramad23]

i paid £1600 which came with 3 years free servicing and been faultless