Dedicated LPG Questions

**mitsugalant** · 20-02-2012, 02:22 PM

Hi all,

After researching my idea of a non-Toyota motor into my '80RN40 Hilux 2WD, I have decided not to do it due to being out of my skill and price range.

I am currently thinking of going dedicated LPG. I have never liked carbies, as I have always worked with EFI. My current daily driver is an E-Gas BA Falcon, and for what I need it for it has been great.

Now the engine in question is the 18R-C. What experiences has anyone on here had with these and LPG?

Another option I have to me is a 21R.

The biggest difference between the two that I can think of is one has a crossflow head as far as I know (21R) and the other doesn't (18R-C). Would this make a lot of difference for a dedicated gas car in regards to intake temps, etc? I am not looking to go into a performance setup, just a good economical setup for a cruiser/daily.

The 21R I can get will need a rebuild (not a problem for me) and I have two 18R-C's so I can rebuild one of those as well.

Of course I would get the head checked, and hardened valve seats and appropriate valve stem seals.

Any other advice anyone could add?

Thanks.

**George** · 20-02-2012, 11:27 PM

If you plan to switch to lpg completely maybe consider increasing CR. Also modify ignition curves somehow. Simplest thing to do is just move everything 6 degrees towards more advance.

**andrew_mx83** · 21-02-2012, 10:27 AM

ive just done dedicated lpg on my latest cressida, i agree that stock CR is not enough. the other 2 times ive done it have been built motors and gone much better

soooo, i decked a head 0.090" which will go on as soon as the new valve springs show up

no experience with those motors but maybe an impco 200 mixer and small converter?

**convertableTA23** · 21-02-2012, 05:00 PM

i know it is money, but gas injection would give you a boost in performance and economy. There won't be a kit available, but surely a manifold could be adapted/drilled to suit. Only thing would be the need for a crank angle sensor and tps like a efi car.............

**mitsugalant** · 21-02-2012, 06:22 PM

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I did think about the injection setup, but it would require an engine that is EFI. My preferred motor options are both carby.
From the sounds of it, a motor built up for it beforehand is the best option, I would at least get the head done, but probably get the whole motor rebuilt in preparation for it.

Basically my BA is the factory E-Gas Impco setup, and I have had almost no issues with it. I do think it is because a lot of my driving is highway/freeway driving, so that helps. So I am happy to go a similar style of setup (but obviously for a carby engine).
I rang a gas mob here in Hoppers Crossing my work has sent cars to and has been happy with their work, they gave me a rough idea of what I will need to do and approximately how much. Looking at $1250-1500 after government rebate. Not too bad in my opinion. Don't have to deal with carbies, and don't have to go through engineering and or Vicroads issues for an engine swap.

Unless there is a definitive advantage of the 21R over the 18R-C for this setup (particularly non crossflow to crossflow), then I am happy to go with the 18R-C. Again there would be no hassles as it is an original factory supplied motor.

Any more tips? Please keep them coming.

**andrew_mx83** · 21-02-2012, 06:33 PM

what setup did they quote you on?

**mitsugalant** · 21-02-2012, 08:46 PM

It was a gas research setup, mixer and throttle body, no carby as I would go dedicated.

**love ke70** · 23-02-2012, 11:28 AM

gas research is nice gear.
ive got my old mixer and throttle body that i used to run in my 1g ke70, had very few dramas with the system, would suggest this over some of the other brands out there definitely, only issue you might have is cold start, but if your running more compression you should really have that issue, i only did cause i was turbo so couldnt run higher c/r.

cheers, andy