Not strictly a mech question but is an alternative motor the answer to fuel economy. What do peeps pay to do this. Is it a practical solution allowing my bus to become a daily driver again as it used to be instead of it sitting on the drive for most of the time. I suppose moving on from the how much does it cost element I'm then into questions on mpg. I'm getting low 20s on my 2 litre and need at least to push this up by 50%. Is LPG still an option as it takes a lot of room up! Big question I know and I will trawl some alt motor sites but whats your experience? Thanks!
im getting 23 mpg if I drive like a saint in my 2 litre I read somewhere that converting to LPG will eventually wear your engine out, but I could be mistaken. There was an article on this in the latest C&B mag - they recommended a Polo Diesel engine for best MPG.
I average 20mpg on the Type Four 2 litre. Thought I'd never dump an aircooled, but I'm about to have a 2.5 flat four Scooby engine fitted (which, when fitted, actually looks like they were designed for the bus in the first place). That should increase mpg to around 30. Plus of course a hell of a lot more umph, bhp and torque. I'd guess the total cost (I'm paying professionals to do it for me) isn't far off a complete VW Type 4 rebuild plus an LPG system. Plus almost guaranteed bullet-proof reliablity in the future. Being an 'almost-purist' it was a very tough decision. But I'm quite happy about it now. Can't wait to cruise in the fast lane at 80 with ease! Woop woop!
ive got LPG, & from norfolk to vanfest n back it cost me, about £45. Mines a 1641 & LPG dont wear the engine out as its a cleaner burn with less crap going in the oil than unleaded, so the oil is cleaner lasts longer. The only prob is it burns a little hotter & u loss a little top end. A large sump or a oil cooler would keep things in check. I got mine fitted at gasure they would tell u the facts.
5K is well out of my price range. Probably best to stick to a less technical engine that doesnt need a new loom or a laptop to set it up. But then again thats probably where half the saving is - getting it set up right.
I just wish it was in my price range at the moment, i would be straight there. Keep us posted how it's going, when is it going in? Saw them at vanfest and was impressed with their work, looks nice and tidy.
Ahh - saw them at VF too they had the under belly scoop/rad/fan arrangement that looked impressive. Whats the subaru motor to go for?
130 horse is probably enough for my bay assuming the torque is there (sure it would be) as opposed to 70-odd ive got in there now! Dont want to go too fast but do like to cruise with the tarffic!
I checked into the LPG conversion once. If you have a carbureted system the conversion supposedly only costs $200-$300. It burns so clean it actually causes less wear on the engine, as long as it is cooling properly. Your exhaust will be virtually non-toxic, (so maybe you could install a rear window that pops open while driving) and your spark plugs last nearly forever. After doing the math as closely as I cared to, it worked out to be about a 33% drop in fuel cost, according to local Texas gasoline and LPG prices at the time. So the increased mileage is not staggering, but with the environmental benefits it's certainly a worthy option. Trouble is, mine is fuel injected, so it would cost a LOT more to convert. Also, where to put the tank? If our current battery technology would hurry up and leap forward a bit, electric would be the way to go. Imagine just plugging into your little back yard windmill generator every evening. Ahhhh,... But we're not there just yet. I think if one is serious enough about it to replace an engine, a diesel would be the way to go. A relatively simple conversion (only about $200 if I remember correctly) would enable you to run on either diesel or straight vegetable oil. Used veggie oil is free at most any restaurant and you can't beat free. Greasy Rider - Eric Miller's veggie-powered Mercedes-Benz
You may be surprised to know that GM actually made an electric car that worked. It was probably ten years ago. They made a few hundred and let people lease them. They worked so well, big oil had to step in and crush it. Literally. They recalled every last one and crushed them into cubes. There are theories that include other forces that were involved in it's demise, but I think it was the oil industry that ultimately held enough power to pull the plug, so to speak. Watch this amazing documentary and judge for yourself why we haven't been driving electric cars for years. It's called Who Killed The Electric Car. Sorry, this is just a preview. You'll have to dig up the full film yourself. It's not hard to find, I just don't know where to find it for U.K. viewers. who killed the electric car
Electric cars will soon be a thing of the past. Hydrogen is the future. Petrol (gasolene) cars will see out electric cars by hundreds of years. Petrol cars will become like horses are today. Largely for fun and occasional use.
