FarmerPhilCo, I'm sorry if you misunderstand my intentions when I post, but I do not try to post simply to contradict what other people say. I simply share my opinion. You'll notice that I said "IMO (In my opinion)." That's why this country is so great, people are allowed to have differing opinions. This forum would be really boring if everybody agreed all of the time. Besides, a healthy debate brings out all the various facts and opinions and helps people make their own decision. It bothers me that someone would make a personal attack on me when I did nothing more than offer my opinion. Nowhere in my posts did I even make reference to you while sharing my own opinion.

If Quadzilla or WeWeld brought up making their own system my opinion would not change. "IMO" it is not a good idea to make your own system if you don't understand propane injection. Even a small mistake can be a costly mistake. If someone, like yourself, understands propane injection then there's nothing wrong with building your own system.

Although it's possible that someone could run into problems if they purchase a kit, it is far less likely than if they try to build their own setup. Unlike other mods that people often do themselves, failure with propane could cost you an engine or even worse, cause bodily harm.

Please keep in mind what I said at the beginning of my post. I'm not out to get anyone when I post, I simply offer my advice and opinion. If we don't agree then that's how it is. The internet can be rather inpersonal at times and everyone needs to keep this in mind.

John

 

FarmerPhilCo said:

You seem to be putting words into his mouth. What he said was:He simply implied that he didn't feel as though he understood propane injection well enough to try to design his own system.
I've never met John, but I do consider him my friend, the same as I do everyone else on this forum. I'm defending his right to speak his mind and state his opinion without being misquoted the same way as I would speak up if it were happening to you.

Cookie said: Bingo! The propane in the combustion chamber actually starts to pre-burn prior to the introduction of the diesel fuel. That's where the "timing advance" occurs. You're also right about the chips power potential being diminished when tuned for propane. I had my flip chip reburned when I added propane, and the power output of the chip dropped slightly after the reburn, because the "timing advance" had been removed. The addition of propane to the mix more than compensates for the reduction in power output of the chip. Another way to express it: since my flip chip programs are a different box code than my stock program, the chip changes the trucks personality, the propane is like steroids. The propane actually adds four times the hp than the chip does alone.

 

Got it. Thanks.

Gene (WeWeld) did I read your post correctly.....you are running an unaltered 140 horse chip?

 

Yes I have 2 140 programs one for pane and one not. I can run the pane setup with the pane on all 3 settings and the regular 140 with just 1 nozzle on. But you have to be very careful running pane on a regular program or it can go BOOM.

GENE

 

I tell you what, this has probably been one of the most information threads I have read. I've learned a lot about propane and how to set it up with the powerstroke. Thanks for all the great informatoin, especially Gene (WeWeld)!!

 

Let me throw something else into the discussion. I believe I remember seeing in somebody's sig over at The Diesel Stop that they had both propane and nitrous on their truck. If the propane is igniting the majority of the fuel that normally is not ignited under normal circumstances is there any real benefit to adding nitrous? If so, at what level of power would you see any real benefit? I know the two work quite differently but wonder if there is any benefit to using both.

 

Propane is fuel, nitrous is air. Currently, I can put more fuel (propane) into my engine than it can handle, (detonation). If I could introduce more air (nitrous), I'd be able to increase the amount of fuel (propane or diesel.)

 

Are you considering nitrous? Just curious. That would be some major power, but I wonder how much HP even the forged rod PSDs can take before engine parts need to be upgraded.

 

Not really. I'm the only person I know that's satisfied with the amount of power that he puts out. It seems that just about everyone is wanting to reach 400hp, but I'm very happy with my 300hp.
I've got a bunch of buddies that have gone the injector/fuel system/hpop system/intercooler route, and I'm happy being able to run with them without all the money invested they've had to come up with.
Some people think I've taken a dangerous route to reach my performance level, since I use propane. However, with propane and my 1.0AR tubine housing, I don't get the EGT issues that the people with aftermarket injectors get, so I'm wondering who is taking the dangerous route, me or them?

 

I'm with you on that, I'm not out to set any HP records with my truck. I thought about upgrading my injectors to some Swamps but I don't want to have an EGT issue. I also don't want to spend all the money needed for the intercooler, HPOP, etc. that I would need to run the injectors. I do a lot of towing so the idea of adding propane sounds good for additional power without going the injector route. I also like the idea of using a higher percentage of the fuel that is already being injected into the engine. Diesel isn't getting any cheaper right now!

 

And, diesel in Dallas is $.50/gal cheaper than in Seattle. Imagine how I feel!!

 

I wonder if Ford would ever consider using propane injection to reduce emissions enough to make the baby PSD (4.5L V6) work in the F150 and Expedition. From what I understand that's why it was put on hold and is only just now being used in the LCF trucks. If that was the case we might have a 2 diesel household!

 

.............Can a propane system be added to a completely stock truck (99psd) ? I'm planning on full timing in a 33 foot 5'ver in the next year or so and after reading the posts in this thread I would feel comfortable with the systems as previously described. I would use it almost exclusively for additional power while driving at high altitude and climbing long grades??? thanks for your time , s.kuteman

 

Yes, with some qualifications. I would recommend gauges to anyone with a turbo-diesel, especially if you're going to be doing anything to increase the power output. The more that is done to improve the intake/exhaust systems, the more benefit you'd see from propane, but it would help improve efficiency on an otherwise stock truck.
I've run the propane on my truck with my chip in the "stock" mode, and saw a marked increase in the power output. Of course, I've also got the intake/exhaust modifications to optimize it.

 

I am glad that there are people out there that are interested in alternative fuels to help improve the mileage and performance of there diesels. Please keep in mind that you should keep the system you get at the normal settings. I know mine is cranked up a little different from everyone else but I have been working with it for over 5 years to get to the point I'm at now. The pane is a great addition to a stock motor but use gauges like Quadzilla and others have said.

I'm a HP guy so I will be adding injectors in a month or so and then maybe a little shot of nitrous as I already have a system in the shop.

But that will be another story later.

Gene