Propane injection & Bypass oil filter

[Drumster]

10" x 32"
Paid $50. tax at border.



I have an appointment with a qualified installer next Thursday. I should leave there with all the appropriate stickers to keep the various safety people happy.

[psilosin]

I would be cool at the end for you to post a tally of the full cost of installing the PI kit, from kit cost to parts to tank to inspection etc. Interesting thread looking forward to the first test run.

[Drumster]

Drove out to Langley this morning bright and early for my tank installation appt. Unfortunately a special part needed for remote fill, already paid for and ordered from Toronto, was not in yet. Woulda' been nice if they'd called to let me know.

[Drumster]

Tank has been installed...

From behind it's not at all conspicuous:




But it's definitely there:




Propane fill valve:




Fill valve viewed from underneath. You can also see how tank has been mounted to frame:




Other end of tank, also mounted to frame:

[psilosin]

After all this work and expense I really hope it kicks some ass. Can't wait for the test drive report.

[Luna-Sea]

X2

[Drumster]

OK. Everything's done; system fully installed AND I have the safety stickers! Really, what's the point in having a system like this unless you're able to fill up wherever you go?
First impression: WOW! The van took off like a damn rocket!
Second impression; WOW, the propane volume has to be seriously adjusted down as I got immediate "pinging" and high EGT's along with the kick in the pants. After lowering the volume I may also adjust the "start time". ie, the degree of boost pressure at which the P/I kicks in. I want less volume of propane to flow but I want it to start at lower RPM.

So I turned it off after a very brief trial and will make adjustments before trying again. I think I'll turn the volume down all the way and then bring it up in small increments 'till I like the feel.

This is all good; both these settings are easily adjustable. The unit I bought was initially set up for a big Ford Powerstroke so it's no surprise that some adjustments are needed.

To be continued...

[jessef]

about time something of value came along in this forum. Great stuff Tim. Thanks for posting.

[Luna-Sea]

I got immediate "pinging" and high EGT's along with the kick in the pants.

What does your info sheet say to do?
The way too many internet pages I have read on something as cool as this that I have never
ever seen in person, says to start small with flow then increase until just starts pinging then dial back and set.

Super stoked to see this project come to fruition to say the least.


Right On!

[rezdiver]

x10 on starting with very small flow.

as you noticed taking off like a rocket and EGT's going up that fast, you can melt a piston in just as fast of a time with a mistake like that.

you should measure the flow out the nozzle and confirm with the specs to make sure the regulator is actually giving you the proper flow, especially since you do not have a metering nozzle at your intake ( i believe you just have an open fitting attached to the hose correct?) that will control the flow.

check on the net to see what is reccomended for the l400 motor. each motor will react differently.

[Drumster]

Glad to see your comments! I'll continue to update as I refine the settings.

All told, cost has been pretty much $1800. which includes $55. for the inspection & stickers, various extra parts etc. That's at least $700 less than if I'd gone to Eco-Shot (not to mention the time and fuel to get to Chilliwack). Any of you can do it for less just by duplicating most of my install - primarily the tank which I paid to have mounted. Once everything's more or less in place all you'll need to do is pay for an inspection.

When I have settings for my 4M40 I'll post them too so this whole thing will, hopefully, become something anyone can do if so desired.

Lowering & then incrementally raising propane volume is not referred to in directions per se. But it just makes sense and is confirmed by info Luna-Sea found online.
As far as actual measuring of propane etc. goes... just added and unnecessary complexity.

There's essentially two adjustments on the Powershot 2000/eCo-shot units;
-1) "Start time" (level of boost at which propane begins to flow.)
-2) Propane volume. (Initial volume of propane flow.)

From that starting point volume is increased commensurate with additional boost to a maximum of 15 psi, AFAIK.

It's designed to be effective with minimal complexity.

By comparison there are some systems which synch up with a vehicle's sensors and computers and get very complicated... and expensive. It's interesting that the guy I found to do my tank install and inspection, Arie, is currently having someone else equip his own diesel truck with one of these other very sophisticated computerized P/I systems. Although he owns one of the more established LPG and CNG conversion shops in the area (25 yrs), he had never heard of the Powershot 2000 or eCo-Shot.

Incidentally, Arie said he'd be happy to do more work with these if anyone needs help with any aspect. Much of the install can be done by a competent do-it-yourselfer. Other aspects would be worth getting qualified help with, at least for many of us. For example, the remote fill valve installation could turn out pretty ugly if done in someone's driveway and without the benefit of experience.

The above is based on my understanding of the thing but I am by no means an expert. If any of you come across further details or data on the Powershot, please add them to this thread.

[Drumster]

Took the van out this morning for some fine tuning. First, I cut way back on the propane level - and it still pinged badly. Actually cut back more than two full turns before pinging stopped altogether. Then I took it up & down in smaller increments ‘til finding a point where there was no pinging yet I could still feel the P/I kick in when I engaged it at speed.

I’m not willing to risk damaging my engine for any reason so am being pretty conservative with all this and at current settings the “rocket” effect is far less dramatic. In fact it’s not violent at all - but is distinctly noticeable.

I’m holding to my original purposes for doing this - to save on fuel costs, extend the van’s range, produce fewer particulate junk in the crank case oil in order to reduce engine wear, and to improve overall performance in the process.

By the way, the tank I bought is still on sale at $423. USD. Paid tax only at the border; no duty on automotive stuff. That's the best price I could find on the net and even Arie said he could do no better...

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/lp-g ... zontal.htm

[rezdiver]

you want the propane to be i believe around 5% of the air intake volume give or take. although it is said to increase performance, you should not really notice the performance gain that much by pressing on the gas pedal. its more about economy and clean burn on a vehicle like the delica.

I highly suggest you do an actual calculation of flow and BTU requirements to achieve optimum gain out of this setup without melting a piston. even though your pinking has stopped you may still be on the brink to some high temperatures as soon as you start to drive up a steep hill.

read this, it gives some basic info on setup and i am sure there are many other sites on the web for tuning in the LPG:
http://www.duccutters.com/Propane.tpl

[Drumster]

Really good article and explanation.
Now that I've read that I think maybe I'll cut back propane even more and see if I can produce lower EGTs while still feeling the boost.
Calculation could be a good idea but my math abilities are abysmal. I'll put the other data to use though.
Thanks!

[Luna-Sea]

I’m not willing to risk damaging my engine for any reason so am being pretty conservative with all this and at current settings the “rocket” effect is far less dramatic. In fact it’s not violent at all - but is distinctly noticeable

Sounds like an approach that reflects my budget restraints,carry on!

If it feels too much like this dial it back.

Drumster L400 mod.jpg (190.31 KiB) Viewed 6500 times

I’m holding to my original purposes for doing this - to save on fuel costs, extend the van’s range, produce fewer particulate junk in the crank case oil in order to reduce engine wear, and to improve overall performance in the process.

I agree with you there too,that is the basis of my interest in the propane injection ,as well as the methanol injection set-ups.

Keep it coming and thank you very much again for posting.

Right On!