What is an LPG Conversion ?

 

Converting a car to run on LPG requires the installation of an additional fuel system. The components needed for most modern cars are :

1. Additional fuel tank
2. A fuel line (normally a copper Pipe) to convey the LPG from the tank to the engine bay
3. A vaporizer to transform the LPG into a fuel usable by the engine
4. A mixer (single point system) or a set of injectors (multipoint system) to enable the LPG to be blended with air before it enters the cylinder for combustion.
5. Safety valves to make the whole system safer to use than petrol
6. Electronic components to:

  • Prevent petrol and LPG to be mixed together
    Mix LPG and air in the correct proportion for optimum combustion
  • Interact with the existing electronic components of the car to ensure the correct funtioning of the engine .

1st Generation System

The most basic types of conversions available on the market. They are suitable for all normally aspirated cars but are more susceptible to performance degradation than latest systems, They can also be used for injection engines without catalytic converter , turbo and old high performance engines in general. The basic operation of a first generation system is as follows :

The supply of petrol to the engine is interrupted through the use of a solenoid valve. Gas in vapor form is added to the air supply of the engine to form a combustible mixture.

Key Benefits:

  • Savings over fuel prices
  • Reduced emission of harmful gases
  • Prolonged life of engine components

 

2nd Generation System

2nd Generation Systems are a little more sophisticated. The majority of the components used in this type of conversion are the same as in first generation systems. This system is largely used for injection, turbo, or high performance engines. 2nd Generation systems offer a greater control over the air-gas mixture to the engine

In this kind of system the quantity of gas supplied to the engine is controlled by the Lambda sensor greatly improving on performance and reducing harmful emissions.

The basic operation of a 2nd generation system is as follows :

1. All signals coming from Throttle Position Sensor, RPM and Lambda are processed by LPG system ECU to ensure the correct amount of fuel is delivered to the engine as required.
2. The supply of petrol to the engine is interrupted through the use of an injector emulator
3. Gas in vapor form is added to the air supply of the engine to form a combustible mixture
4. The mixture of LPG/Air is controlled and continuously adjusted by the Lambda sensor as during petrol operation .

Key Benefits

  • Greater savings over fuel prices than with 1st Generation systems
  • Reduced emission of harmful gases
  • Prolonged life of engine components

 

 

3rd Generation System

 

3rd Generation systems are the most sophisticated types of conversions available on the market today. They are suitable for all modern petrol engines including turbo and high performance. Third generation systems are also described as multipoint system.

In a multipoint system the LPG is injected into each individual cylinder. Multipoint systems work on the same principle as the existing petrol injection system. The correct quantity of fuel is fed into each cylinder individually in response to signals provided by several engine sensors .

There are several Multipoint Injection System on the market today. Some are better than others. The best systems don't require much user intervention and are able to correctly configure themselves by communicating to the existing fuel management system of the vehicle instead of being configured by the installer.

The engine performance and fuel consumption in these systems is very close to that of petrol, allowing for greater savings over time and for a quicker absorption of the conversion cost .

3rd Generation System are recommended for engines where the possibility of backfire must be completely eliminated, generally in engines with plastic manifolds that might be prone to sporadic backfires either by engine design or lack of regular servicing and/or in engines where the latest emission control standards require a greater degree of intelligence by the LPG components and software.

The latest generations of Multipoint Sequential Systems are compatible with OBDII or EuroiV standards for emission control without the need for additional electronic components to be installed.

The basic operation of a 3rd Generation System is as follows :

1. All signals coming from Throttle Position Sensor, RPM and Lambda are processed by LPG system ECU to ensure the correct amount of fuel is delivered to the engine as required. (Newer systems might not require all of the above signals).
2. The supply of petrol to the engine is interrupted through the use of an injector.emulator
3. Gas in vapor form is injected directly in the inlet manifold (generally just before the petrol injectors.
4. The mixture of LPG/Air is controlled and continuously adjusted by the Lambda sensor as during petrol operation .

Key Benefits

  • Savings over fuel prices
  • Reduced emission of harmful gases
  • No noticeable loss of performance
  • Prolonged life of engine components

 

Contact Us

C G Gas LLP

Newark Road (near Flogas)
Fengate
Peterborough
Cambridgeshire
PE1 5YD

Tel : 01733 425100
Mob: 0794 1956981

Read this book to get a glance at the world of oil, hydrogen and other alternative sources of energy.