best small engine car for LPG conversion

[jdavis986]

Call me a cheap skate but i'm really keen on getting some good economy on LPG, with a small engine car,

are certain cars better than others, anyone had any experience with small engine cars on lpg?

thanks

[Tubbs]

That's the holy grail of motoring in my eyes. When my wife was training to be a midwife she had a 500 mile a week commute. First she had an a class merc. Bloody rubbish car that one. Ended up in the auction.
Then she had a little pug. But you had to have balls of steel to drive it in the end. So that went to the scrappy. Because I wouldn't even sell it to someone.
Then she had a Suzuki wagon r +. That was a good motor. But it just ate gearboxes. Had it out 3 times. Because I was stupid enough not to change all the bearings instead of just the one that had slung itself around the gearbox. That also ended up in the auction.
Then I bought her a beetle, well it was supposed to be a courtesy car. But she drove it and loved it so it's hers. Now that was bought at 74k. Now at 196k other than tyres, oil, cambelt and the odd bang because it's running and old Leonardo and a mixer it's been good as gold.
Other than the merc. I would say they where all good tbh. Remember this is bangernomics. None of them cost over £600 other than the beetle. But a 2.0 beetle isn't very good on fuel. They are alright. But not great.
The 'zook' was ace on gas though. I filled it up. Drove from shropshire to kent. Filled it up again. Took. £7.80 and I drove it home again.

[classicswede]

I have had a run of 1.2 corsa's to convert. Not to bad but very slow unless you rev the nuts off them.

Smart cars have been another regular one for me but there is a limit to have far they will go.

In my opinion the Nissan Micra is the best small car for converting and absorbing the miles

[Tubbs]

Agree with c.s. Micras do seem to eat the miles. Fiddly conversion though.
I did a couple of Nissan note's a while back One is being used as a hospital transport car. It's done mega miles and not missed a beat either.

[tomas]

Nissan micra after 2002 new shape..useless car..I sold of them in last 2 years about 8..
6of them suffering from worn chain it start missfiring ratling when cold engine..
and have few for repairs same problem worn chains..and chains are bloody expensive. ..
google about nissan micra worn chains some of them last 20k miles only...
older micra much better...

[classicswede]

The new shape micra is not as good. The adds were terrible for them. Do you remember them joining two words together and then at the end "do you speak Micra" and my answer was yes fugly!

The old K10 is good and the K11 (bubble shape) is best.

[Tubbs]

That's micras out then. My neighbour has a Mitsubishi colt that I converted 2 years ago. Goes to work, comes home. Cuts our hedge for us regular. Thinks the cars ace. Recons it saves him at least 30 quid a week on his commute. I gave it filters at some point and checked its fuel trims with my scanner. Was bang on so I left it at that.

[Tubbs]

I did a diahatsu YRV 1.1 turbo for a bloke who does a massive commute in the little rattle box. 10k service came round in about 3 months ! Not heard from him for a good while either.

[mondeoman]

this post was deleted by the author using an autoscrub routine.

[jdavis986]

Hi all,

after much searching around, i've decided i might as well just buy a cheapish small engine car and get it converted to LPG.

I was thinking about a 1.2 punto, or maybe even a 3dr ford fiesta/ focus.

Is there a really reliable, cheap and durable LPG system out there, i should go for, or is it more about who installs it etc.

Thanks!

[classicswede]

Its more down to what your installer suggests. Provided you keep away from the done in a day outfits who usualy fit a lpgtech or stag system you will be on the right path. Most of the aeb based systems are ok as is europegas, kme or even brc but brc will limit what onstallers would be willing to service it.

[john_d]

no need to start another thread on the same subject, topics will be merged.

[jdavis986]

any thoughts on this ford focus with LPG - zavolli system apparantly- what do you think??

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/f ... 9309036449

[classicswede]

Would be nice to see some of the installation photos.

[Kingsford G]

Its more down to what your installer suggests. Provided you keep away from the done in a day outfits who usualy fit a lpgtech or stag system you will be on the right path. Most of the aeb based systems are ok as is europegas, kme or even brc but brc will limit what onstallers would be willing to service it.

Whats wrong with Stag or Lpgtech mate?I went on holiday to Russia and poped round one of the LPG garages who were installing Stag.Very busy and no probs other than if you go for cheap injectors wich was customers choice or clogged filters due to LPG stations filling up with @!##.Also they did Ladas with injection system in 2hour max,4 people doing the job,1 underbonnet ,2 internal switch etc,3 lpg tank and feed,4 calibration and testing.Say what you like but honestly the installation was very neat and hardly any wires seen.I did wiring for Toyota Land cruisere V8 for a bit of experience and the technician showed me how and what so as I`m a mechanic myself a couple hints was enough so in the end you had to look hard to find the wiring.

[classicswede]

Stag is actually a good electronics package. What has given it a bad name is that it is cheap and the majority of installers in the UK using them combine them with cheap valtek injectors and the cheapest vapourisers and throw them in.

The stag combined with good hardware and well installed can be a good system.