Hi, I have a TJ Solara with the LPG compat engine.

Am wanting to get LPG fitted, and wondering what make/model (if that's how it's determined) or system of LPG is recommended?

Also wondering if when you switch between LPG/Petrol, if they both use the factory fuel gauge .. ie. on gas and the guage shows remaining gas, on petrol it shows remaining petrol etc. Also if the trip computer (range till empty) etc. still works when on gas?

LPG systems in cars are good, as long as the difference works out for you! im not too sure on all the brands of systems out there, but im pretty sure mitsubishi uses IMPCO in their TJ models onwards!
no, the factory fuel guage and distance to empty, etc won't work on the dual fuel set up, you will have a small pic of a gas tank with light bars indicating the amount of gas left!
for more info go to www.lpgautogas.com.au

LPG systems in cars are good, as long as the difference works out for you! im not too sure on all the brands of systems out there, but im pretty sure mitsubishi uses IMPCO in their TJ models onwards!
no, the factory fuel guage and distance to empty, etc won't work on the dual fuel set up, you will have a small pic of a gas tank with light bars indicating the amount of gas left!
for more info go to www.lpgautogas.com.au
Agreed

I was told that with the TJ Solara the fuel guage will work with gas, but the range to empty won't work with gas. Am pretty sure I read this in my owners manual too could be wrong tho

I would imagine that may only be if the car was converted to gas from new (ie by factory or dealer) You'd probably have to speak to a knowledgeable LPG installer. All I know is that my fuel guage is only for petrol and I have a seperate LED display/changeover switch for gas

Had my 01 TJ converted to dual fuel it uses the original fuel gauge for both petrol and gas which ever your on at the time. The computer in the middle will give you false reading like 45Lt per 100 klms and range to empty.
If anyone knows if you can fix it please let me know.

All I know is that my fuel guage is only for petrol and I have a seperate LED display/changeover switch for gas
What manufacturer system do you have installed? And what year/model is your car? I want the original fuel gauge to be used.

Had my 01 TJ converted to dual fuel it uses the original fuel gauge for both petrol and gas which ever your on at the time.
Terrific - that's exactly what I want. What manufacturer system do you have installed? I'm booked in for an IMPCO system shortly. $2,250.

Slightly off the topic but my old man just picked up his brand new Acclaim Wagon with the factory gas option on the alloytec from Holden. He has done just over 2000k's in it and he says there is absolutely No advantage on using gas. He said it chews so much gas that there is no price advantage using gas. Also, it doesnt use the factory guage. It uses those digital bar guages and it has this rude switch to change between gas and petrol. Looks appaling for a factory system. It automatically starts on fuel and changes to gas while you are driving without telling you.

He has had it back to holden 3 times already because when he starts it and it is in fuel mode, it idles like a pig and keeps stalling. He says he has to keep his foot on the accelerator at lights to stop it stalling. Its been back 3 times and still playing up.

Good old holden.

Cost $28.00 for a tank of gas, $86.00 for a tank of petrol, I get 100klms less from a tank of gas.

What manufacturer system do you have installed? And what year/model is your car? I want the original fuel gauge to be used.


Mine is an Impco system, on an 2003 TL wagon. The advantage of not using the fuel gauge to display gas and petrol is that I can see levels for both. My petrol guage is ALWAYS showing me petrol, and I have an all in one LED bar graph and gas/petrol changeover switch. Since I run 90 per cent of the time on gas I like to be able to see how much petrol I have without having to actually change to petrol.

As for economy, with the price of gas being so high lately, the value of an LPG conversion was becoming questionable, but prices seem to be coming down again now.

Currently costing me $25 for 300km on gas

Slightly off the topic but my old man just picked up his brand new Acclaim Wagon with the factory gas option on the alloytec from Holden. He has done just over 2000k's in it and he says there is absolutely No advantage on using gas. He said it chews so much gas that there is no price advantage using gas. Also, it doesnt use the factory guage. It uses those digital bar guages and it has this rude switch to change between gas and petrol. Looks appaling for a factory system. It automatically starts on fuel and changes to gas while you are driving without telling you.

He has had it back to holden 3 times already because when he starts it and it is in fuel mode, it idles like a pig and keeps stalling. He says he has to keep his foot on the accelerator at lights to stop it stalling. Its been back 3 times and still playing up.

Good old holden.

Thats dissapointing, I hope they get it right for him. My car starts quicker on gas than it does on petrol, even when cold. i think the petrol start/auto change over to petrol are trouble.

my patrol is on gas cost me about $40 to fill gets me 200km to 250km

when it was on fuel it cost me $100 ti fill it got me 400km to 450km


so im saving $20

and since i have no fuel system only lpg its very simple theres only about 6 moving parts in the whole system

very reliable

My TJ auto dual fuel max 63lt of gas I get 420 klm cost last time $28.00 that around town, on the h'way I get 520klm.
Before the conversion 64lt of petrol I was getting 500-550klm around town and 650-700 on the h'way. The place that did mine dyno tune it when it was fitted, starts first time every time hot or cold and I dont notice any loss in power until I get to the Bathurst 1000.

Hi, I have a TJ Solara with the LPG compat engine.

Am wanting to get LPG fitted, and wondering what make/model (if that's how it's determined) or system of LPG is recommended?

Also wondering if when you switch between LPG/Petrol, if they both use the factory fuel gauge .. ie. on gas and the guage shows remaining gas, on petrol it shows remaining petrol etc. Also if the trip computer (range till empty) etc. still works when on gas?

Just thought I would follow this up. Had my LPG conversion done today - an IMPCO system from Auto Gas Connection in Carrum Downs (Vic). A tiny switch just below the trip computer switches that changes it between gas and petrol. Standard fuel guage shows appropriate level determinate on what setting the swicth is on - petrol or gas. Filler valve fits neatly beside and behind the fuel door too.

The mechanics couldn't finalise the job though, since they found I had a busted O2 sensor and it's far more important for LPG than petrol, and so it would be wasteful doing the dyno tune. They're ordering one in for me and will fit it and complete the dyno tune in 2-3 days when teh part comes in. Until then I should run it on petrol and not LPG.

If possible can you post the price or PM me the price. Also if you can post some pics of the under bonnet install and boot install. Thinking of going down this path as well since the latest fuel hikes.

Regards

Isn't the goverment cutting the LPG excise so that come 2007 or 2008 LPG is subject to price increases?

If possible can you post the price or PM me the price.
$2,250

Isn't the goverment cutting the LPG excise so that come 2007 or 2008 LPG is subject to price increases?
No, it was extended to 2011 until the excise will start to increase.

Also if you can post some pics of the under bonnet install and boot install.
Photo's attached. The green highlighting in the bonnet picture highlights the new (visible) additions as pointed out to me by the LPG mechanics.

And as a final follow-up for my LPG conversion, here is the Dyno chart for the car showing the power and torque on LPG and also the power and torque on Petrol - the difference between LPG and Petrol is so negligible, as to not even be worth considering.

And as a final follow-up for my LPG conversion, here is the Dyno chart for the car showing the power and torque on LPG and also the power and torque on Petrol - the difference between LPG and Petrol is so negligible, as to not even be worth considering.

I agree, the difference is barely noticeable driving on LPG. Interesting seeing the dyno chart though. Welcome to the magna LPG club!

Im thinking seriously about putting gas on my 2000 TJ sport. Sounds like a good fuel bill saving with gas at 50cents a litre at the moment compared to $1.40 for petrol and rising! Just wondering, not knowing much about gas, but does it shorten engine life (valve stems seals etc). Can anyone recommend a good gas installer in Sydney. Cheers.

Just wondering, not knowing much about gas, but does it shorten engine life (valve stems seals etc).
No, the opposite - it lengthens engine life, since LPG is a cleaner burning fuel. Lubricant isn;t washed from cylinder walls, less carbon deposits are left because it's cleaner. This helps with servicing too because the oil remains cleaner and the spark plugs don't foul with deposits as often.
http://www.lpgautogas.com.au/

I agree, the difference is barely noticeable driving on LPG. Interesting seeing the dyno chart though.
Yeah, the thing that I noticed immediately from the Dyno chart was how it appears that the power and torque are a littler more smoother on LPG than Petrol.

Photo's attached. The green highlighting in the bonnet picture highlights the new (visible) additions as pointed out to me by the LPG mechanics.

I wanted to now i got a 2002 early model advance and wondering if that was compadible to LPG and wats the difference between compadible and non-compadible magnas and with mitsubishis set up on LPG you lose 17nm of torque and around 13kw of power does the setup on LPG on other companies better than mitsubishis set up on LPG And if you loose that much power. and someone else quoted that lpg cleaner and all but the car starts up everytime on petrol dosent it anyone got an opinion please tell me very interested OR and if i flicked it to petrol will i still get my power i would get when just running on petrol before the conversion 155kw 316nm of power

I wanted to now i got a 2002 early model advance and wondering if that was compadible to LPG and wats the difference between compadible and non-compadible magnas and with mitsubishis set up on LPG you lose 17nm of torque and around 13kw of power does the setup on LPG on other companies better than mitsubishis set up on LPG And if you loose that much power. and someone else quoted that lpg cleaner and all but the car starts up everytime on petrol dosent it anyone got an opinion please tell me very interested OR and if i flicked it to petrol will i still get my power i would get when just running on petrol before the conversion 155kw 316nm of power

It sounds like a lot of power to lose, but in reality you are pretty hard pressed in noticing the difference. Particularly if you are not running the car down the drag strip.

Yes, you can flick over to petrol and have the extra power when required. It still runs perfectly on petrol, with modern cars, the ecu controls things and you dont have to have the tuning of the car compromised on either fuel.

There are some gas systems around that offer a "petrol start" system, where the car automatically starts on petrol and then changes to gas. I don't have it, I don't believe you need it. My car starts on gas quicker than it starts on petrol, even when cold.

Gas compatible engine. This is the big grey area. Its hard to know which magna's (TE-TW) have the gas compatible motor and which don't. I believe (I may be wrong) all advances are gas compatible. There was an option code of N01 stamped on compliance plate of some (but not all) gas compatible cars. Dealers seem pretty unsure, different ones will tell you different things. A Mitsubishi technical manager at the motor show told me all TL's are gas compatible. So who knows, i wish there was a way of finding out. That being said, LPG conversion places that I have spoken to will tell you that gas goes well on 3rd gen magnas, they dont seem worried about gas compatible engine or not.

No, the opposite - it lengthens engine life, since LPG is a cleaner burning fuel. Lubricant isn;t washed from cylinder walls, less carbon deposits are left because it's cleaner. This helps with servicing too because the oil remains cleaner and the spark plugs don't foul with deposits as often.
http://www.lpgautogas.com.au/
Maybe the engine will last longer, but i guarrentee the heads wont. LPG burns alot hotter than petrol does, the valve seals will definitly wear out quicker on LPG. Well they did on my TR magna anyway. My seals were rock hard, oval shaped, and were black(charred) whereas they should be soft, round and brown lol. That was from LPG.

Maybe the engine will last longer, but i guarrentee the heads wont. LPG burns alot hotter than petrol does, the valve seals will definitly wear out quicker on LPG. Well they did on my TR magna anyway. My seals were rock hard, oval shaped, and were black(charred) whereas they should be soft, round and brown lol. That was from LPG.

Or was it just because they were old? How many km had the engine done? I have had LPG on several 2.6Lt Astrons in Magnas which all did over 200,000km on gas and they were not blowing any smoke or using any oil. If the valve seals need replacing after very high mileage, who can really say that its due to the LPG?

TN magna with LPG - traded in at 217,000km. Engine never opened, still running well (Gearbox nearly due for a reco though)

TR magna - still going strong with well over 250,000km, car went on LPG at 75000km.

TN magna (my dad's) over 200,000km on LPG.

None of the engines have been opened, none are using oil or blowing smoke.

And funnily enough Mitsubishi recommend that you do not put these engines on gas.

Make your own conclusions, but I doubt that you can blame the LPG on your valve seals needing replacement, it would be interesting to know how many kms on your TR . I would convert another 2.6 astron on gas without thinking twice.

It had about 260,000 kms and as far as i know the gas was installed a year after it was made. Mechanically it still ran alright, but my mechanic showed me the head and you could see various charred spots around the valve seals/openings. Told me that's because of LPG burning hotter. Maybe it didn't do much to the actual ride, but more a cosmetic thing?
He was certain my seals were because of the lpg, he said he'd never seen seals charred so badly.

Well, if you have to replace valve seals at 260,000km because of LPG, then its something i'd be willing to wear. If the car had never been on LPG they would be due for replacement anyway. For sure LPG burns hotter than petrol, some cars handle it a hell of a lot worse than magnas in my experience. For me the cost savings are worth it. I bet your finding the fuel cost of the TJ a bit of a killer compared to the TR on gas?

Well, if you have to replace valve seals at 260,000km because of LPG, then its something i'd be willing to wear. If the car had never been on LPG they would be due for replacement anyway. For sure LPG burns hotter than petrol, some cars handle it a hell of a lot worse than magnas in my experience. For me the cost savings are worth it. I bet your finding the fuel cost of the TJ a bit of a killer compared to the TR on gas?
Nah not really because my TR's gas system shat itself only 2 weeks after i got it, was going to cost $500 to fix or get it removed and pocket $200 for parts. Me being 18 at the time chose to pocket the $200, back then petrol was 50-60 cents and not really an issue, it's nearly tripled in 3 years :(.
But anyway, the TJ get's way better fuel economy than the TR did, and i get more power, go figure lol.

ah so you never got to experience the cost savings of gas. Well in that case you would be liking the TJ then, your right, better fuel economy, much better power. The 2.6 wasn't a bad motor, but the 3.5 is sweet :)

yeah the gas definately burns hotter and if the seals weren't changed to gas ones then they prolly were burnt, but I would think that with the current costs of petrol then an LPG setup would still turn out to be much cheaper. What people are forgetting though is that unless you have a piggy-back ecu that has two different fuel maps, the car is being tuned to run on two different fuels.

If you were to convert to LPG only then you power figures would very probably increase as LPG has an RON of 110 compared to premium petrol that has a RON of 98. I wouldn't think that there would be much difference in the torque output as this is dependent on compression, but you could definately have a higher compression ratio. Up to about 12/13:1, compared to 9:1(??) of the normal magnas, due to the slower burning characteristics of LPG

yeah the gas definately burns hotter and if the seals weren't changed to gas ones then they prolly were burnt, but I would think that with the current costs of petrol then an LPG setup would still turn out to be much cheaper. What people are forgetting though is that unless you have a piggy-back ecu that has two different fuel maps, the car is being tuned to run on two different fuels.

If you were to convert to LPG only then you power figures would very probably increase as LPG has an RON of 110 compared to premium petrol that has a RON of 98. I wouldn't think that there would be much difference in the torque output as this is dependent on compression, but you could definately have a higher compression ratio. Up to about 12/13:1, compared to 9:1(??) of the normal magnas, due to the slower burning characteristics of LPG

In the real world, most people would struggle to pick the difference in the actual drive. I wouldn't get too caught up in the numbers.