propane-good or bad
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2006
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propane-good or bad
I've been doing alot of reading on the "advantages of using a propane injection system. They claim better gas milage and alot of hp gain. Is there any down sides or reasons the system is bad for the truck. i read that it used to decrease engine life but the new systems that start out with a little propane and then add more as you press the throtle down farther wont hurt the engine. And they have stuff so you don't send cold propane threw it to. Just curious cas i would like the 100+ hp gain for around 700 dollars with the bonus of better gas milage. thanks
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I don't have any numbers - but don't forget something. You may (or may not, I don't know) reduce diesel fuel consumption, but you now have to consider propane consumption.
Also consider - while properly metered propane may not reduce engine life (or it may. Again, I don't know), the added power - if you use it a lot - WILL reduce the life of your automatic transmission. If you have a 6-speed, at least two PSD performance tuners have told me that below 400hp, the 6-speed is stone reliable, but exceeding 400 rear wheel HP by not-very-much can break it.
Also consider - while properly metered propane may not reduce engine life (or it may. Again, I don't know), the added power - if you use it a lot - WILL reduce the life of your automatic transmission. If you have a 6-speed, at least two PSD performance tuners have told me that below 400hp, the 6-speed is stone reliable, but exceeding 400 rear wheel HP by not-very-much can break it.
Smokin
Joined: Jun 2006
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I haven't heard any horror stories about propane injection. But...just like any other gas injection it can be harmful if its not done correctly (like nitrous)?? Only propane is not nearly as volatile.
And, like arninetyes said, the extra cash in your pocket from any increase in mileage might go right down the tubes when you are forced to go and purchase propane as well.
I would call one of the places that sells these propane kits and talk to them a bit, get their angle on the pros and cons....
As far as I am concerned, for me any potential benefit lies in what you use your truck for. If you plan on racing this rig...great...if its your toy hauler...I might say ehhhhhh maybe not. Arninetyes is a smart guy, is it worth replacing some expensive parts?
Or maybe you can install a coleman grill as well, for on-demand burgers whenever you get hungry on the side of the road.
And, like arninetyes said, the extra cash in your pocket from any increase in mileage might go right down the tubes when you are forced to go and purchase propane as well.
I would call one of the places that sells these propane kits and talk to them a bit, get their angle on the pros and cons....
As far as I am concerned, for me any potential benefit lies in what you use your truck for. If you plan on racing this rig...great...if its your toy hauler...I might say ehhhhhh maybe not. Arninetyes is a smart guy, is it worth replacing some expensive parts?
Or maybe you can install a coleman grill as well, for on-demand burgers whenever you get hungry on the side of the road.
Post Fiend
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From: Carhenge
Propane can be safe for your engine if used properly. It can also break a rod and window your block if it is used impoperly. I would be very careful using propane in your engine with pmr's. My personal opinion is that 40-50 hp increase would be the max in the pmr engines, depending on your tuning.
You shouldn't run a tune with much timing advance with propane, because the propane does advance the timing on it's own.
I have never been able to achieve the mileage gains that many report with propane. For me at best I break even with the increased mileage offset by the cost of the propane I use.
All that being said, I really like my propane system, it does deliver the advertized horsepower without needing bigger injectors, etc.
You shouldn't run a tune with much timing advance with propane, because the propane does advance the timing on it's own.
I have never been able to achieve the mileage gains that many report with propane. For me at best I break even with the increased mileage offset by the cost of the propane I use.
All that being said, I really like my propane system, it does deliver the advertized horsepower without needing bigger injectors, etc.
Last edited by clux; Jun 21, 2006 at 08:46 AM.
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Originally Posted by Smokin'
Mmmm burgers. Next innovation is how to keep the burgers n cheese cold until you're ready for them.
We had no electricity, no generator, no hot water. But we DID have refrigerators!
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Gone, but not forgotten
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From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
If it is faster and faster and more power some want, why bother with a nice, well built, expensive truck? Just get a Nitro Funny Car for your daily driver.
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Smokin
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Hmmm...I'm hoping all this stuff would go in the bed of the pickup...else this "project" might start to get a bit aesthetically displeasing. It'd be the ultimate tailgating rig for sure. We might as well add a little water heater for showers as needed. Boy...would I like to have one of those when I'm out in the woods...only question is, where we gonna put the tank for the water???
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Dallas GA
Originally Posted by arninetyes
May I suggest a propane refrigerator? They may be hard to find, but they do exist. We had 4 of them in a field camp many years ago.
We had no electricity, no generator, no hot water. But we DID have refrigerators!
We had no electricity, no generator, no hot water. But we DID have refrigerators!
You can find them at most stores that sell RV parts. Most RV refrigerators run on propane while on the road and then switch to electric when the RV is plugged in while stationary.
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