LPG Recommended Converters

What's the MPG like? Can I use chip fat and veggie oil? What about LPG?

Moderator: Doone

Ian
Supreme Being
Posts: 5885
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2004 2:47 pm
Location: Bongo Mission Control

LPG Recommended Converters

Post by Ian » Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:22 pm

Here at the Utility Bongo Research Kitchen we are in the final stages of writing a member's fact sheet on LPG conversions. But we are missing some information.

Where did you get your conversion done, and how much did it cost?
668. The Neighbour of The Beast.
Regor

Re: LPG Recommended Converters

Post by Regor » Sat Apr 18, 2009 12:19 am

Hi Ian, here is the info on my LPG conversion:-

Carried out by:- BPV Autogas in Slough =D>

Consists of:- Prins VSI system (V6), flashlube & 91 litre toroidal
tank (76 litre useable)

Total cost:- £ 2,400

This company is an LPGA approved installer and accepted by my insurer (LV) with no increase in premium.

Having covered over 3,000 miles since installation I am extremely happy with the conversion and the way my vehicle performs. My Bongo grin is kingsize, even when filling up on Autogas :lol:

If you, or any member, require further info then drop me a pm and I'll be happy to supply any details.

Best regards
Roger
User avatar
The Great Pretender
Supreme Being
Posts: 2671
Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2006 10:10 pm
Location: Wigan

Re: LPG Recommended Converters

Post by The Great Pretender » Sun Apr 19, 2009 12:19 am

Glad your happy Regor, I was thinking of a V6 and lpg when I was looking for a Bongo. But your costs working on an average of 22mpg and lpg at 50p ltr makes your break even point more than 35500mls. Thats 4yrs driving without servicing costs for the lpg.

It's late, the wine is good so my calcs could be out.
:roll: :wink:
To infinity and beyond
User avatar
apole
Supreme Being
Posts: 1231
Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2007 4:36 pm
Location: Berks

Re: LPG Recommended Converters

Post by apole » Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:02 pm

Not sure of the sums there, over the past 12k miles since my conversion, my average cost per mile for fuel is 12p per mile and saving 11p per mile compared with running on petrol. Break even point for my conversion cost is just over 17k miles. I found my MPG to stay the same as on petrol, probably due to worn/dirty petrol injectors as you are supposed to loose 10% MPG.

Agreed the cost of conversion is steep initially which puts many off, but when you consider the money it saves you every fill up, so long as you do the mileage and are planning to keep the car long enough it pays off. Only risks are if the gaves gives up in a big way, or you loose it due to accident/theft. There is also a small risk the powers that be change their minds and increase the duty.

Not for everyone I accept but for my circumstances I'm glad I took the leap.
User avatar
The Great Pretender
Supreme Being
Posts: 2671
Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2006 10:10 pm
Location: Wigan

Re: LPG Recommended Converters

Post by The Great Pretender » Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:29 pm

Did your convesion cost £1900 apole?
To infinity and beyond
User avatar
apole
Supreme Being
Posts: 1231
Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2007 4:36 pm
Location: Berks

Re: LPG Recommended Converters

Post by apole » Mon Apr 20, 2009 8:54 am

Hi,

Yes, just under. You can get LPG on a V6 for around £1600 if you look around but not sure how good those systems are tbh. Best to stick with a known make and an experienced fitter. So £1900 divided by 11p (savings) works out to 17272 miles to payback. BTW I use a more complex spreadsheet to work all this out as fuel prices and MPG vary and I factor in cost of petrol (LPG cars always start from cold on petrol then switch over) flashlube oil, and LPG servicing.

Need to be careful here not to detract from the intent of the original posting but happy to discuss/advise on the real costs if there is interest, and hoping my maths is sound too !!!

Andy
User avatar
The Great Pretender
Supreme Being
Posts: 2671
Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2006 10:10 pm
Location: Wigan

Re: LPG Recommended Converters

Post by The Great Pretender » Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:14 am

Agree Apole, don't want to hijack the thread. :oops:

I would be intrested in a thread regarding your conversion with pics of the modifications, servicing costs and anything else specific to running on gas. :wink:
To infinity and beyond
wishmaster
Tribal Elder
Posts: 598
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 8:50 pm
Location: mid glamorgan

Re: LPG Recommended Converters

Post by wishmaster » Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:36 pm

Hi we just had our V6 converted,done by Autogas Worldwide in Rhewderin outside Newport Sth Wales,had really great service from them and nothing seems to be too much trouble.We just took it in for the 1000 mile service and it runs even better. :D We had the flashlube kit installed at the time of conversion which we felt was a must. Needs a service every 12 mths at a cost of about 40 quid but only takes about 45 minutes and can be done while you wait and have a cuppa,they'll test drive it for reassurance and just call them if you have any problems :) .We would recommend them highly for customer service and the system which is Romano,mpg little difference and still got power too :lol: If anyone wants details just give us PM
I have a plan and its as HOT as my pants

IZZY

http://s633.photobucket.com/albums/uu57/izzy2619/
wishmaster
Tribal Elder
Posts: 598
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 8:50 pm
Location: mid glamorgan

Re: LPG Recommended Converters

Post by wishmaster » Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:44 pm

Opps forgot to say it cost us £1650.00 which we think is pretty good :)
I have a plan and its as HOT as my pants

IZZY

http://s633.photobucket.com/albums/uu57/izzy2619/
chas&etta

Re: LPG Recommended Converters

Post by chas&etta » Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:19 pm

Hi All, this is my first post.
Have had our 2.5V6 since Jan this year.
Converted to LPG Feb - very succesfully
Have kept records of useage and can say that we are getting 19/ 20mpg using LPG - (cost 43p - 53p per litre) so this can convert to 38 /40 mpg at the cost of petrol. Well worth the investment.

Conversion cost me £1400.00 plus VAT
Converter AJC Classic of St John's Street HYTHE, Southampton SO45 6BZ telephone 02380 846644

This is a Father & Son garage who specialise in Repair & Maintenance, plus LPG Conversions.
I can recommed them as being highly competent and thorough in their work. They service my 4 other family cars, and have converted my SAAB 95 Estate also to LPG done over 15 months ago and also running at the equivalent of 40mpg costs. I have not suffered any loss of power or performance on either vehicle.

Tony & Gary, the proprietors can offer Prinz System conversion at £1400 plus VAT, or the Lima System at £1200 plus VAT.
New Forest Terrier
Supreme Being
Posts: 1442
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:50 pm
Location: New Forest

Re: LPG Recommended Converters

Post by New Forest Terrier » Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:28 pm

Very useful information about the garage in Hythe. I think they are the same people who converted my Range Rover. Different adress, Marchwood, but same names.

I had four good years from the conversion, plus a year of problems due to drying out and failing seals. This was a few years ago, converted in 2000 and ran till 2005, so hopefully the conversion kit quality is now better. No problems with the quality of the work, just the kit.

I calculated mine which cost £1,600 paid for itself in less than a year at 17k miles. I was doing a high mileage then, towing a lot of the time, with an absolute gas guzzler 12 -15 mpg.

I am not sure with the Bongo. Much lower mileage, about 7k a year and I get a respectable mpg from the Bongo.

I will be really interested to see how these systems fare over a few years. I did over 1,000 miles last week as camper and van and the petrol bills for that hurt! :evil:
The BewilderBeast - V6 Mean Green Tintop with LPG and 321 Away Montague Conversion
fargo

Re: LPG Recommended Converters

Post by fargo » Mon Apr 19, 2010 12:43 pm

I have a V6 LPG conversion and I am planning a trip to Ireland- does anyone know what kind of adapters I might need ?
Regor

Re: LPG Recommended Converters

Post by Regor » Mon Apr 19, 2010 1:22 pm

Have a look at this link should answer a few questions for you.

http://www.ilpga.ie/outlets.htm

I think this is for the Republic, are you going to Northern Ireland as well?

Hope it helps.

Regards

Roger
User avatar
haydn callow
Supreme Being
Posts: 5772
Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:50 pm
Location: Somerset
Contact:

Re: LPG Recommended Converters

Post by haydn callow » Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:09 pm

Bought our V6 from LPG imports (Coventry) and had the conversion done by them (Paul)
He can supply Autogas conversion at a very competitive price and if you buy the vehicle from him it is extreamly competitive..We went for his Romano system (he does 3 systems I think) which is a little more but nowhere near the amount mentioned at the top of this thread. We reckon it will pay for itself in around 12,000 miles or about 18 months......and remember you will get a good chunk of the outlay back if you ever sell......to me it's a no brainer...this is the 2nd V6 from Paul....good service and good Bongos....thanks to LPG we can afford to use our Bongo as a daily driver and not have the expense of a smaller 2nd car.
He does not normally fit a flash lube as both Mazda and Romano reckon it is not required...However for £50 you can get a kit off ebay (from Ireland) and fit it if you are concerned....It may not do any good but it will do no harm....So I may get round to fitting one in the future.
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
Developer of the Mazda Bongo Coolant loss Alarm
Also BMW Clocks
A1tony

Re: LPG Recommended Converters

Post by A1tony » Sat Aug 28, 2010 6:45 pm

Just had mine done at profess autogas near Cardiff tel01443812893
Total cost £1100 Inc vat (plus a tank of gas)
System is an AC stagg 300 multi point with 85ltr toroidal tank. All fitted in just over a day. Setup was completed with me driving and engineer fine tuning with a laptop to make double sure all was good.
The fitters are all polish, and the better for it ! So far very happy with the company and the fit..
Post Reply

Return to “Bongo Fuel & Performance Issues”