Running a mini on LPG
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi, ive bought a 1.1 rover metro that runs on lpg, ive been told that it has a higher octane is that true? Someone has told me that when ive finished my mini if i set it up to run on lpg instead then i might be able to get more performance but use cheaper fuel?

Just a thought because i dont mind swapping it into the mini when ive finished it. I guess the weight of the lpg stuff will slow it down anyway, but im not putting a turbo in it for the speed or performance, im doing it for the satisfying torquey pull you get from the turbo!

Previous Engine: 1040cc Morespeed engine, 1275 turbo head T2 Turbo Mirage Manifolds Megajolt
Previous engine: STD metro turbo, megajolt
Drives: 399bananahp (flywheel) Honda Civic Vtec b18c4 T28 Turbo 1968 Mini

Megajolt maps to download: http://www.jamesfawcett.co.uk/cms/index.ph...&gid=3&Itemid=3

I am sure that you get around 20% less power from LPG but dont know about octane rating.I do a lot of miles and have always been interested in LPG but havnt seen enough info on it.

http://www.rabdunn.co.uk/

LPG needs to run a lot more ignition advance to produce optimum power. However, the majority of converted vehicles just use the standard ignition timing, and so do not make the most of the fuels capabilities.

In practise, my dad has a couple of LPG converted V8 Range Rovers, driving about normally it is hard to tell any difference between the two fuels. When towing a trailer with a car on, the difference is then more noticeable, and they are more powerful on petrol.

An ideal LPG install would include mappable ignition with switchable maps, so when you switched to LPG fuel, you also switched to an LPG ignition map, to make the most of the fuel.

LPG has less power than petrol, even running more advance. It does have a higher octane though so doesn't detonate as easially. If you wanted to get performance out of it you really need to up the CR, which then screws you using petrol. As I understand it you can go full LPG, but it can be a bastard to start on cold days so you need some sort of heater.

Like Tom says if you do do it and want to run both fuels mapable ingnition is a must. The Megasquirt has 2 maps that can be changed at the flick of a switch.

http://www.twin-turbo.co.uk
http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/default.asp

A man without a project is like a like a woman without a shopping list.

What about with a turbo as in a mini?

http://www.rabdunn.co.uk/

Theoretically I guess using LPG could be a way to get around the high standard compression ratio of the metro turbo engine, and still allow high boost to be used to get the power output.

Whether that would actually work though I don't know.

Any info on Diy fit?

http://www.rabdunn.co.uk/

Thats what im really interested in tom! Im definately going to do loads of research on it then. Im pretty sure my metro just runs same timing on lpg and petrol (its a k series). You have to drive for a minuet before switching to lpg aswell when its warmed up.

Previous Engine: 1040cc Morespeed engine, 1275 turbo head T2 Turbo Mirage Manifolds Megajolt
Previous engine: STD metro turbo, megajolt
Drives: 399bananahp (flywheel) Honda Civic Vtec b18c4 T28 Turbo 1968 Mini

Megajolt maps to download: http://www.jamesfawcett.co.uk/cms/index.ph...&gid=3&Itemid=3

User Hedgemonkey and 1071 (peter) on here will no doubt have some good input - both seem to know a fair bit about scienciey stuff!

Running on LPG can be as good as running on petrol, even frezing cold starting should not be a problem. It all comes down to the health of your engine and the setup of your LPG installation, with a good setup there shall be limited difference.
Most older LPG runners have an installation that gives the optimum mixture at 2500-3000 RPM, under that the engine runs rich and above that the engine runs lean.(hence why my piston melted)
Better to go for a G3 or better installation, that gives modular PG to the air intake. therefore my winter project is to refresh the engine an built a modular PG intake by the throttle cable.
Be aware that most governements do not allow you to swap LPG installations between cars without approval. (taxes etc.)
In case of using LPG in a turbo'd car, you will prob end up with the suck through system, be aware for lean running at the higher revs.
There is no real need for a change in ignition advantage but LPG will run at slightly higher temps.

Greetings from Arno, running a turbo A-series on LPG.
LPG is very popular in Holland due to no road tax on oldtimers and LPG beeing only 1/4 to the petrol price.

I think the LPG conversion in my metro must be a really old one then, it was done in 2000 so must have been an early one.

You have to drive it on petrol until engine reaches temperature, then switch to no fuel to clear out the petrol, then switch to LPG when it starts missfiring for it to even work!

Im just wondering do LPG conversions need servicing or anything? Do they have fuel filters or things like that that need changing, because after arround 20mins of driving, it becomes VERY slow on lpg, and its that powerless that you have to ride the clutch alot to even set off in first! Maybe its just because its an old setup and its running standard ignition timing on the LPG fuel.

Its had a full service and everythings new to do with the engine service bits, and theres nothing non-standard about the engine either.

Its also a carb model of engine, ill put some pics up later tonite because its really quite interesting how its installed if someone hasnt seen them before.

Forgot to mention, ipswich to leeds cost less than £8 in LPG ROFL!!!

And i got to leeds and back yesterday twice in traffic for £2.30! I filled it up after expecting to have used half a tank its so funny! That doesnt include the price of unleaded to warm it up though thats extra

Previous Engine: 1040cc Morespeed engine, 1275 turbo head T2 Turbo Mirage Manifolds Megajolt
Previous engine: STD metro turbo, megajolt
Drives: 399bananahp (flywheel) Honda Civic Vtec b18c4 T28 Turbo 1968 Mini

Megajolt maps to download: http://www.jamesfawcett.co.uk/cms/index.ph...&gid=3&Itemid=3

LPG is really cheap, I did Birmingham to Rotherham in my old mans 3.9 v8 Range Rover, towing a trailer with my 205 on the back, on £13 of gas. My road car uses £13 normal fuel to do the same journey, not including the extra weight of the trailer and car.

A LPG installation from 2000 is not really old, could be a modular one. Hard to tell over the phone. 1970 that is an early type.
Anyway the LPG to PG heatexchanger should be cleaned from time to time, there is residu building up.
Also, make sure that the coolant fluid is topped of, if you have an airbubble in the system than the heatexchanger (dont know the english word) could freeze, hence not vapuorizing the LPG
The exchanger should be sitting phisically below the radiator top for the same reason.

LPG in a mini is suicide ! i know a cheif fire officer that goes mental if you even mention the stuff lmao !

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