What are mid 90's Alfas like on LPG?
 

As the time to actually buy a new car approaches, I just an inredible
thought. While the Saab has to go, period, I could get something with an
equally juicy engine if it could be run on LPG.

While I said before, no V6's because of economy, maybe that wouldn't be
the case if it could safely and comfortabley run on LPG instead of
petrol.

That would put the 155 V6 and possibly the 164 v6 (only possibly because
of the sheer size of the vehicle) firmly in the affordable luxury
cruiser bracket. I know the conversion might cost way more than the car
(depending on whether the 164 keeps climbing in price), but it wouldn't
take long with a V6 to reap the fuel benefits, especially if I keep the
car for a couple of years, and move it on before fuel duty on LPG equals
that of Petrol.

What does everyone think?
--
Carl Robson
(The poster formerly known as Skodapilot)
http://www.bouncing-czechs.com

> From: MeatballTurbo >
> Organization: Bouncing-czechs.com
> Newsgroups: alt.autos.alfa-romeo
> Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 07:30:03 +0100
> Subject: What are mid 90's Alfas like on LPG?
>
> As the time to actually buy a new car approaches, I just an inredible
> thought. While the Saab has to go, period, I could get something with an
> equally juicy engine if it could be run on LPG.
>
> While I said before, no V6's because of economy, maybe that wouldn't be
> the case if it could safely and comfortabley run on LPG instead of
> petrol.
>
> That would put the 155 V6 and possibly the 164 v6 (only possibly because
> of the sheer size of the vehicle) firmly in the affordable luxury
> cruiser bracket. I know the conversion might cost way more than the car
> (depending on whether the 164 keeps climbing in price), but it wouldn't
> take long with a V6 to reap the fuel benefits, especially if I keep the
> car for a couple of years, and move it on before fuel duty on LPG equals
> that of Petrol.
>
> What does everyone think?

All right for a Range Rover, but it would be utter sacrilege to an Alfa V6.

In article >, am
says...
>
>
> > From: MeatballTurbo >
> > Organization: Bouncing-czechs.com
> > Newsgroups: alt.autos.alfa-romeo
> > Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 07:30:03 +0100
> > Subject: What are mid 90's Alfas like on LPG?
> >
> > As the time to actually buy a new car approaches, I just an inredible
> > thought. While the Saab has to go, period, I could get something with an
> > equally juicy engine if it could be run on LPG.
> >
> > While I said before, no V6's because of economy, maybe that wouldn't be
> > the case if it could safely and comfortabley run on LPG instead of
> > petrol.
> >
> > That would put the 155 V6 and possibly the 164 v6 (only possibly because
> > of the sheer size of the vehicle) firmly in the affordable luxury
> > cruiser bracket. I know the conversion might cost way more than the car
> > (depending on whether the 164 keeps climbing in price), but it wouldn't
> > take long with a V6 to reap the fuel benefits, especially if I keep the
> > car for a couple of years, and move it on before fuel duty on LPG equals
> > that of Petrol.
> >
> > What does everyone think?
>
> All right for a Range Rover, but it would be utter sacrilege to an Alfa V6.
>
>
Don't see how. It has a lower calorific value, so you burn more, but at
a lower price, but it actually has a higher octane rating, so you could
run higher compression ration, or more ignition advance before knock
sets in.

Plus, in something like 164 or a 75, wouldn't the weight of the tank of
LPG at the rear of the vehicle return some of the balance that was lost
over the TS models due to the extra engine weight?
--
The poster formerly known as Skodapilot.
http://www.bouncing-czechs.com

Many, many Alfa's of those days were equipped with an LPG system in The
Netherlands (Diesel is more popular nowadays)

Weight will hardly be a problem as the LPG tank will be mouted over the rear
axle and the petrol tank will be nearly empty.
It will costs you some boot space unless you invest in an (expensive) modern
tank that comes in the spare tyre space.

Alfa's do go very nice on LPG as well as they are relativily high
compression engines.
The fuel consumption is approx 10-15% higher than on petrol.
--
Ciao from Holland
AlfistaGJ (Gert-Jan)
Alfa red 156 SW 1.8 Madeno tuned (2000)
Golden Montreal 1428700 (1973/4)


"MeatballTurbo" > schreef in bericht
t...
> In article >, am
> says...
> >
> >
> > > From: MeatballTurbo >
> > > Organization: Bouncing-czechs.com
> > > Newsgroups: alt.autos.alfa-romeo
> > > Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 07:30:03 +0100
> > > Subject: What are mid 90's Alfas like on LPG?
> > >
> > > As the time to actually buy a new car approaches, I just an inredible
> > > thought. While the Saab has to go, period, I could get something with
an
> > > equally juicy engine if it could be run on LPG.
> > >
> > > While I said before, no V6's because of economy, maybe that wouldn't
be
> > > the case if it could safely and comfortabley run on LPG instead of
> > > petrol.
> > >
> > > That would put the 155 V6 and possibly the 164 v6 (only possibly
because
> > > of the sheer size of the vehicle) firmly in the affordable luxury
> > > cruiser bracket. I know the conversion might cost way more than the
car
> > > (depending on whether the 164 keeps climbing in price), but it
wouldn't
> > > take long with a V6 to reap the fuel benefits, especially if I keep
the
> > > car for a couple of years, and move it on before fuel duty on LPG
equals
> > > that of Petrol.
> > >
> > > What does everyone think?
> >
> > All right for a Range Rover, but it would be utter sacrilege to an Alfa
V6.
> >
> >
> Don't see how. It has a lower calorific value, so you burn more, but at
> a lower price, but it actually has a higher octane rating, so you could
> run higher compression ration, or more ignition advance before knock
> sets in.
>
> Plus, in something like 164 or a 75, wouldn't the weight of the tank of
> LPG at the rear of the vehicle return some of the balance that was lost
> over the TS models due to the extra engine weight?
> --
> The poster formerly known as Skodapilot.
> http://www.bouncing-czechs.com

> All right for a Range Rover, but it would be utter sacrilege to an Alfa V6.

apart from that, I seem to remember that adapting V6 engines to LPG is
hard/expensive/non-standard. At the very least, lease-companies in The
Netherlands do not offer any V6 engined cars on LPG, and even the LPG
fitting stations do not list any V6 in their "no problems with... "
lists.

I would advise to wait for some actual experiences on this combination
before taking the risk.

Had 3 cars on LPG myself, a 1996 145 1.4 i.e. (disastrous until
properly tuned by an Alfa specialist - numerous backfires resulting in
lots of broken air filters), a 1999 156 1.8 TS (no problems
whatsoever) and a 1998 Honda Civic Coupe 1.6 ESI (no problems but OT).

HTH,

Paul
156 SP1 1.9 JTD Madeno tuned to 152 bhp - www.madeno.nl

MeatballTurbo > wrote:

> Plus, in something like 164 or a 75, wouldn't the weight of the tank of
> LPG at the rear of the vehicle return some of the balance that was lost
> over the TS models due to the extra engine weight?

Might help a 164, but would bugger up the delicate balance of a 75.
--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300
VW Golf GL Cabrio - Alfa 75 TS - Alfa 155 TS Lusso - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

In article <9xsQc.4427$vH5.3866@amstwist00>,
spouted forth into
alt.autos.alfa-romeo...
> Alfa's do go very nice on LPG as well as they are relativily high
> compression engines.
> The fuel consumption is approx 10-15% higher than on petrol.
>

Thanks, just the kind of info I wanted.
--
Carl Robson
(The poster formerly known as Skodapilot)
http://www.bouncing-czechs.com

In article > ,
spouted forth into alt.autos.alfa-romeo...
> MeatballTurbo > wrote:
>
> > Plus, in something like 164 or a 75, wouldn't the weight of the tank of
> > LPG at the rear of the vehicle return some of the balance that was lost
> > over the TS models due to the extra engine weight?
>
> Might help a 164, but would bugger up the delicate balance of a 75.
>
Even a V6? I thought a 155 V6 would be equally imbalanced as a 164 would
be, maybe even more so, because of the smaller size?
--
Carl Robson
(The poster formerly known as Skodapilot)
http://www.bouncing-czechs.com

MeatballTurbo > wrote:

> In article > ,
> spouted forth into alt.autos.alfa-romeo...
> > MeatballTurbo > wrote:
> >
> > > Plus, in something like 164 or a 75, wouldn't the weight of the tank of
> > > LPG at the rear of the vehicle return some of the balance that was lost
> > > over the TS models due to the extra engine weight?
> >
> > Might help a 164, but would bugger up the delicate balance of a 75.
> >
> Even a V6? I thought a 155 V6 would be equally imbalanced as a 164 would
> be, maybe even more so, because of the smaller size?

Who said anything about a 155?
--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300
VW Golf GL Cabrio - Alfa 75 TS - Alfa 155 TS Lusso - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

In article >, gatlin90
@hotmail.com spouted forth into alt.autos.alfa-romeo...
> I would advise to wait for some actual experiences on this combination
> before taking the risk.
>
> Had 3 cars on LPG myself, a 1996 145 1.4 i.e. (disastrous until
> properly tuned by an Alfa specialist - numerous backfires resulting in
> lots of broken air filters), a 1999 156 1.8 TS (no problems
> whatsoever) and a 1998 Honda Civic Coupe 1.6 ESI (no problems but OT).
>
Cheers.

Sounds like some sound advice. That was my point of asking here, as I
know we have european members here, and LPG is more popular on the
mainland than here, but I do have access to lots of different brand
filling stations around where I am and where I drive daily where I could
fill up.
--
Carl Robson
(The poster formerly known as Skodapilot)
http://www.bouncing-czechs.com