DIY conversion?

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colin33
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DIY conversion?

#1 Post by colin33 »

Hi all, I'm new to lpg and plan to convert my vectra 2.6 V.
I would like to hear any recommendations of which kit/manufacturer to go for and any advice on converting my car...
Thanks, Colin...

lazydocker
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Re: DIY conversion?

#2 Post by lazydocker »

If you're going to DIY it then your options are a little more limited. Quite a few of us on omegaowners.com have had good results converting the V6 with the Stag300 kit and the newer versions (plus and premium) are slightly better.

Gilbertd
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Re: DIY conversion?

#3 Post by Gilbertd »

Or you could go for one of the mid-range AEB based system such as Bigas, Zavoli or OMVL, they are all much of a muchness. You'll need a copy of CoP11 to make sure you install it correctly and also find an installer prepared to inspect and certify the install or you could have difficulty getting insurance.
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billynoband
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Re: DIY conversion?

#4 Post by billynoband »

If you are very confident you can pick up decent kit's very cheaply now. Autogas-lpg sell kit's but no advise or inspection.
Tinley Tech sell complete Bigas kit's and good advise.
If you are a bit unsure though about the process I know Rossko on here does Land Rover kits with fitting instructions and a inspection included so I bet he could fix you up with a decent AEB 6 cylinder kit for yours. On ebay Yorkshire Autogas offer OMVL AEB kit's for a good price (they also do cheaper stuff but I would'nt) and they will certify and advise you during the prossess too.

junkcatcher
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Re: DIY conversion?

#5 Post by junkcatcher »

Stag 300 plus is good value for money just make sure the reducer supplied with the kit is big enough for your engine. You will probably find you will need to drill the nozzles much larger than the instruction suggest. You can download the installation instructions fromthe manufacturers site [url]http://www.ac.com.pl/en[/url]


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richard_ha
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Re: DIY conversion?

#6 Post by richard_ha »

I DIY'd a BiGas system from Tinley Tech.
http://www.FillLPG.co.uk and http://www.FillMeWithLPG.co.uk - Your LPG Filling Station Directory

CougarV6
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Re: DIY conversion?

#7 Post by CougarV6 »

Me too Rich, have fitted it to 2 cars now, Tinleytech are great for support and info too
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colin33
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Re: DIY conversion?

#8 Post by colin33 »

Thanks for all the replies :D

I'm now looking for a Vectra v6 to convert. (My current Vectra 2.0 SRI is not great for towing as it is, and converting to gas may lose even more power) MPG when towing a caravan goes down to 21-22 and so proves very expensive whenever we go anywhere.

When I've found a suitable car I won't be in a rush to get the job done so hopefully no pressure to get finished and on the road.
There's not many lpg installers in Cornwall. The one I have found, quoted £1850 to convert, but said he will charge £100 to check a diy system in order to get it onto the register. (seems a bit steep :D )

I'm particularly interested to hear from anyone who has converted the Vauxhall V6 and it would be good to see some pics for guidance on the best location for the various parts.

colin33
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Re: DIY conversion?

#9 Post by colin33 »

autogas-lpg.co.uk seem to be the cheapest for parts, but don't seem to do a complete kit. They are selling the AC Stag 300-Plus conversion kit for £305 but obviously I will need a tank etc. Can anyone please help me by listing all the other parts that I will need for the whole installation?
Thanks...Colin

MarkJones
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Re: DIY conversion?

#10 Post by MarkJones »

if for that £100 hes giving it an lpga certificate ..hes putting himself in line for trouble if anything goes wrong ..so i suppose its about that.

all the best.markj

colin33
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Re: DIY conversion?

#11 Post by colin33 »

MarkJones wrote:if for that £100 hes giving it an lpga certificate ..hes putting himself in line for trouble if anything goes wrong ..so i suppose its about that.

all the best.markj
I don't think the certificates are any longer in existence. As far as I know, now all converted cars are put on the UKLPG register.

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Re: DIY conversion?

#12 Post by rossko »

That's the sort of money we charge for inspections too.
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junkcatcher
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Re: DIY conversion?

#13 Post by junkcatcher »

The talk is the that an inspection of LPG pipe work for leaks and a general inspection of the wiring and pipe work security will become part of the major revision planned for the MOT test.
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Re: DIY conversion?

#14 Post by john_d »

colin33 wrote:autogas-lpg.co.uk seem to be the cheapest for parts, but don't seem to do a complete kit. They are selling the AC Stag 300-Plus conversion kit for £305 but obviously I will need a tank etc. Can anyone please help me by listing all the other parts that I will need for the whole installation?
Thanks...Colin
i got my kit from autogas and my tank/filler etc from tinley
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MarkJones
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Re: DIY conversion?

#15 Post by MarkJones »

colin33 wrote:
MarkJones wrote:if for that £100 hes giving it an lpga certificate ..hes putting himself in line for trouble if anything goes wrong ..so i suppose its about that.

all the best.markj
I don't think the certificates are any longer in existence. As far as I know, now all converted cars are put on the UKLPG register.

so what happend to the LPGA then ..is this UKLPG register one and the same or another kwango organisation ...they seem to have the same green tick

all the best.markj

Gilbertd
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Re: DIY conversion?

#16 Post by Gilbertd »

MarkJones wrote:so what happend to the LPGA then ..is this UKLPG register one and the same or another kwango organisation ...they seem to have the same green tick
LPGA changed it's name to UKLPG so it is one and the same.
96 Saab 900XS, AEB Leo, sold
93 Range Rover 4.2LSE, Lovato LovEco, sold
97 Range Rover 4.0SE, multipoint, sold
98 Ex-Police Range Rover 4.0, AEB Leo, daily motor
96 Range Rover 4.6HSE Ascot, AEB Leo, my spare


Proud member of the YCHJCYA2PDTHFH club.

colin33
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Re: DIY conversion?

#17 Post by colin33 »

rossko wrote:That's the sort of money we charge for inspections too.
Seems a little steep to me, considering a full mot can be done for around half that price.

The guy told me it's only 10 minutes work plus a few minutes to fill in a form online, so maybe the high charge is a just 'punishment tax' for doing a DIY conversion :D

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Re: DIY conversion?

#18 Post by john_d »

colin33 wrote:Seems a little steep to me, considering a full mot can be done for around half that price.

The guy told me it's only 10 minutes work plus a few minutes to fill in a form online, so maybe the high charge is a just 'punishment tax' for doing a DIY conversion :D
£100 is'nt that much concidering how much you'll save, its also piece of mind that you have no leaks and done it like it should be etc
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MarkJones
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Re: DIY conversion?

#19 Post by MarkJones »

mine involved a full emisions test..included measuring the amount of co2 i think, in so many cubic mtrs of exhaust ..plus the inspection .

then them putting their name on the form..for someone elses work.

having said all that ..at the time was pleased ...as i was on the way to saving a lot of money ..now i would have different thoughts ..as im not saving the same amount ..

all the best.markj

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Re: DIY conversion?

#20 Post by mat_fenwick »

colin33 wrote:Seems a little steep to me, considering a full mot can be done for around half that price.

The guy told me it's only 10 minutes work plus a few minutes to fill in a form online, so maybe the high charge is a just 'punishment tax' for doing a DIY conversion :D
I'm a DIYer too, but I can see the reasoning - I can well imagine that installers who have carried out safety checks get the phone call 6 months down the line saying "You know that install you checked out for me, well it's not working any more..."

Plus I can't see how all the checks required could be done in 10 minutes, at least not at the speed I work anyway!
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