propane injection
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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Ive just got back from my local speed shop and they can hook me up with a Bullydog Propane Injection Kit for $890.00 Canadian, retails for $1500.00 up here. I just dont see a down side of this, I have read so many pros & cons for turbos on IDIs, to me this seems to be a no brainer...I have the dual 3inch exhaust [best performance money I have spent], K&N air filter, dual cool air venting, advanced the injection pump. The price of the turbo and the damage it can cause, to me just does not justify the cash and the risk. Not to say you can not blow your heads off with propane! I understand if I want any real power a turbo is the way to go and down the line I just might. So what do you guys think! PS I have read an earlier thread about the guy who did make a home made injection kit himself for around $300.00 American, I dont have that kind of guts!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
I did one to test it out.
Probably had all of 75 dollars in it, but I did have a regulator, wire and switches and barbecue tank sitting there doing nothing.
The propane rated solenoid actuated valve was the most expensive thing, it was 52 dollars.
Probably had all of 75 dollars in it, but I did have a regulator, wire and switches and barbecue tank sitting there doing nothing.
The propane rated solenoid actuated valve was the most expensive thing, it was 52 dollars.
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 24
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From: Burney ,North California
Dave,
You know anyone selling propane injection parts?I hear tell of some old boy back y'alls way, so sort of tactor supply place I figure.Anyhow, I want to try and build one for myself beings I cant sell the wife on spending $800.00 on something I figure I can make for $70.00. Any help?
Mike Rodriguez
State of Jefferson
You know anyone selling propane injection parts?I hear tell of some old boy back y'alls way, so sort of tactor supply place I figure.Anyhow, I want to try and build one for myself beings I cant sell the wife on spending $800.00 on something I figure I can make for $70.00. Any help?
Mike Rodriguez
State of Jefferson
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
Parts list for my trial setup.
2 - 1/4" brass NPT by barbed hose fittings.
1 - 1/4" by 2" brass nipple.
1 - 1/4" OD by 4" piece of copper tubing
1 - barbecue tank
1 - dual stage acetylene regulator off an oxy acetylene torch rig
20 feet of 12 AWG lamp cord to run power to the propane valve
20 feet of 1/4" fuel line
1 - 12 volt microswitch
6 small hose clamps to attach the fuel line to the brass hose fittings
1 - 12 volt toggle switch used to arm the system
About 10 feet of automotive 12 AWG wire
All that was collecting dust in my shop.
I went to the local propane dealer and bought the fuel shut off 12 volt solenoid valve for a LPG forklift. Cost 52 dollars.
Get barbecue tank filled 17 dollars.
I guess I have less in my trial system than I thought.
But I have a dump bed, so the system is not convenient for me.
The Manchester frame mounted tank is going to run 400 dollars.
The system above is back in the shop collecting more dust.
2 - 1/4" brass NPT by barbed hose fittings.
1 - 1/4" by 2" brass nipple.
1 - 1/4" OD by 4" piece of copper tubing
1 - barbecue tank
1 - dual stage acetylene regulator off an oxy acetylene torch rig
20 feet of 12 AWG lamp cord to run power to the propane valve
20 feet of 1/4" fuel line
1 - 12 volt microswitch
6 small hose clamps to attach the fuel line to the brass hose fittings
1 - 12 volt toggle switch used to arm the system
About 10 feet of automotive 12 AWG wire
All that was collecting dust in my shop.
I went to the local propane dealer and bought the fuel shut off 12 volt solenoid valve for a LPG forklift. Cost 52 dollars.
Get barbecue tank filled 17 dollars.
I guess I have less in my trial system than I thought.
But I have a dump bed, so the system is not convenient for me.
The Manchester frame mounted tank is going to run 400 dollars.
The system above is back in the shop collecting more dust.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 831
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From: Katy, Texas
Ok im just going to give my 2 cents here because i myself was pondering propane over a turbo untili got daves advice. Like he said BC a propane would be somewhat of a waste because it wont perform to its fulll potential without the air to help, sure youll see a little bit of power but how much. You say you think a turbo will cost you more down the line, why put propane on for 800 and then like you also said maybe add a turbo down the road. Turbo 2000 dollars, propane 800, New head gaskets(dunno never looked em up lets say 100) new head studs 350so lets see 2450 for a real power increase without propane or 3200 all together. Id say just get a turbo and see what that does for you. If you get the new head studs and gaskets you should be fine, and if your turbo is wastegated youll be even better off. I wouldnt go for a propane kit without a turbo, seems like a waste to me. If ou gunna do nething with propane inject it into your exhast and wire up a spark plug to shoot flames out the back, talk about cool!!!
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Well I asked for your 2 cents and I got it and thankyou...I may not agree with you, I do agree with your math and thats my point, for under a $1000.00 I can have the best bang for my buck! I am not disputing a turbo is the way to go for power but at what cost [$3200.00 - $1000.00 = $2200.00] I dont know about you but $2200.00 is a lot of money for me, mortgage, kids, whole nine yards! My IDI has approx 175,000 miles on her and shes 22 years old, running well, I cant justify the $3200.00. Up here a complete rebilt 6.9 runs around $3900.00, do you see where Im going with this? If I can get 2-3 more years out of this IDI and for a $1,000.00 I can get some power gain, I not racing this truck, I just want it to tow my 5th wheel and go up hills at a decent speed without dropping into 2nd gear! So if in 3years I decide to go turbo it will be on a new rebuilt with new head gaskets, studs etc. PS from what I read in an earlier thread,a guy [stan?] claims his headers for a 6.9 IDI will produce the same hp & tourqe as a turbo and for $450.00???
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
76and92ford,
Surely you have a propane dealer somewhere near you.
That 12 volt valve was the only thing I had trouble getting, I finally made it to the local propane dealer and he had one on the shelf.
I do want to install it, not for the power but for the mileage increase.
We are looking at a lot of out of town jobs this summer.
Looks like I am going to be racking up some serious miles over the next couple of months.
I just replaced my IP today, from what I can see so far I think I should have replaced it a year ago.
Surely you have a propane dealer somewhere near you.
That 12 volt valve was the only thing I had trouble getting, I finally made it to the local propane dealer and he had one on the shelf.
I do want to install it, not for the power but for the mileage increase.
We are looking at a lot of out of town jobs this summer.
Looks like I am going to be racking up some serious miles over the next couple of months.
I just replaced my IP today, from what I can see so far I think I should have replaced it a year ago.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
bcford6.9,
As for the headers giving you as much power as a turbo, that is highly unlikely.
No way for the headers to boost more air into the cylinders.
They probably do increase the power over stock due to reduced backpressure.
As for the headers giving you as much power as a turbo, that is highly unlikely.
No way for the headers to boost more air into the cylinders.
They probably do increase the power over stock due to reduced backpressure.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Rep. of Texas
Originally Posted by Dave Sponaugle
They probably do increase the power over stock due to reduced backpressure.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 577
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From: Peoria IL
Ive been running propane for 6months now and my tank just ran out yesterday. I did the whole thing for under $200. Most of it was the 70$ regulator and $25 for the solenoid valve. I went to the local RV dealer for the valve and I got two for 25$.
I probably have the nozzle set up wrong letting the pane out too fast, but it doesnt add much, if any power, just blows some cool black smoke.
I probably have the nozzle set up wrong letting the pane out too fast, but it doesnt add much, if any power, just blows some cool black smoke.
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 24
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From: Burney ,North California
Dave,
Well beings I am over 70 miles from any town of any size( Redding and it is about 60,000 people) I think I am going to have to mail order all the stuff I need. I found a place back in your neck of the woods and they have most of what I need. They have the high to low regulator, the 12 volt shut off and the fittings and hose. So we will see.About IDI headers, what do they cost and where would I find some?
Mike Rodriguez
State of Jefferson
1992 1/2 F-350 Crew Cab
Well beings I am over 70 miles from any town of any size( Redding and it is about 60,000 people) I think I am going to have to mail order all the stuff I need. I found a place back in your neck of the woods and they have most of what I need. They have the high to low regulator, the 12 volt shut off and the fittings and hose. So we will see.About IDI headers, what do they cost and where would I find some?
Mike Rodriguez
State of Jefferson
1992 1/2 F-350 Crew Cab
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
You must have found that place down in Burnsville, WV.
The two stage acetylene regulator is not affected by temperature variations as much as single stage regulators are.
I think there was a guy on here last year that bought a set of Stan's headers for around 500 dollars.
I went turbo and will never go back.
The two stage acetylene regulator is not affected by temperature variations as much as single stage regulators are.
I think there was a guy on here last year that bought a set of Stan's headers for around 500 dollars.
I went turbo and will never go back.