Bullydog Propane Injection Installed...........Observations so far

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Let me say first off that I had second thoughts about running a propane system. I was scared I was going to blow up myself & the truck. #ad
#ad

Now that I look back, It was silly. I felt better when my propane guy that filled my tank dissappeared into a fog of Vapor when he filled the tank. There must have been more propane in the air than in the tank #ad


Installing the regulator/Soleniod was straight forward. Mounted it just to the rear of the left side battery. I needed to drill a 3/4" hole in the bottom corner of the bed for the gas line.

Ran the line along the frame inside a "wear guard". Attached with long heavyduty tie wraps. Where the line goes thru the bed got a piece of 3/4" rubber hose as an added measure to prevent chaffing. I will keep an eye on this.

Attaching the injection to the intake duct was easy too. Had a 3/4" hole saw. Just follow directions and its a breeze.

Wiring simple & straight forward.

I mounted the Hobbs pressure switch in the 3/4" pipe plug on the intake manifold just to the rear of the intake temp sensor. Needed a 3/4" to 1/8" reducer. There is a lot more room there as opposed to the side of the manifold, where most of us have our fitting for the boost gauge screwed in.

Finding a P. O. L fitting to screw into an ACME valve on 20# DOT (BBQ) tank was a pain. Home Dummies and hardware stores don`t have them without a regulator attached to them. Most have just a pinhole to allow propane to flow. This won`t work with this system. Went to an RV store and found a P. O. L fitting. It is an "excess" flow POL. If the gas surges, it has a check valve that will limit the flow. So far it seems to be ok. I would have rather got the "full flow" POL valve (straight thru), but they were not in stock. First I went to the local propane shop. Long story short, the guy wouldn`t help me. He showed me a company truck that had a big 100 gal tank in the bed. I made the mistake of showing him my gas line in the bed. I also should have said its a vapor system , intermitent and for "off road" use. Apparently he thought it was a liguid system. I didn`t feel like arguing . Waste of time.

To attach the POL to the Bullydog line required a 3/8" flare to a 1/4" reducer, and and a 3/8 male NPT to a 3/8 flare male union.

Bought the "yellow" thread tape especially for LP. Checked all fittings with soapy water. Had a minor leak, just tightened the fitting a little more.

Adjustment of the regulator was easy. Put a jumper on the Hobbs pressure switch to override it. Adjusted as per the directions. I could not get any knocking or pre-detonation. (good) I adjusted it until the engine would shake and miss. Then backed screw out 1 1/2 turns. This is the "performance" setting. 3-4 turns out is the "street" setting.

Apparently propane has no benefit to an engine thats just at idle. There is just not enough fuel. (Idle= 99% air,1% diesel)

The Hobbs pressure came pre-set to activate @ 7lbs boost. It is adjustable. I tried to adjust it to open at about 2-3 lbs boost. Took for a test drive. Saw that switch was activating at idle. I thought there would be a big "loadup" of propane in the intercooler while idleing. Not the case at all. Engine ran as normal. Flow was at the "performance" level too. When I was adjusting the regulator, I noticed that the engine reacted to the adjustment very quickly. The intake air is moving faster thru the intercooler, even at 0 lbs. boost than I had previously thought. Hence no "loadup".

Its kind of tough to hear the seloniod opening. letting the propane flow. What I did was attach the hot wire of a little light bulb to the seloind and to a good ground. I attached the bulb to my windshield wiper. Now I can see when the switch has activated. Much eaiser to set the pressure switch now. #ad


I have run the system for an hour so far. Have not even mashed the loud pedal yet. With the price of diesel going up, this ought to pay for itself in a couple of years. 3-4 MPG increase should be average.

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94 2500 SLT 4x4 5 Speed, 3. 54 LS, JRE 4" exhaust,Autometer Pyro & Boost gauges, Bosch 215HP injectors, Timing @ 14. 7 BTDC, JRE Stage III #4 plate 270/675, AFC spring kit,Pschotty Air, Optima Red Tops, Geno`s Exhaust Blanket, Synthetic lubes throughout.




[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 09-12-2000). ]

 

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Well it's good to see you have tackled the switch to alternative fuels #ad
I love the diesel/lpg combo. I leave my system on all the time. With this configuration I get a heck of a lot of horsepower for passing with no smoke.

It sounds like you scared the guy at the propane company when you showed him your fuel line installation. I doubt he liked the line going through the bed. I used a "bulkhead fitting" which is just a solid piece with 3/8" mf on both sides. It secures into the bed with a shoulder on one side and a washer and a nut on the otherside. Now you have one hose going from the tank to the bulkhead fitting and another under the bed going to the lock off. This prevents the chaffing of the hose against the bed.

You might not want to mention the fuel is for the engine. They may want to charge you a bunch more for motor fuel taxes.

We'll be looking for some performance data in the near future.

 

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What a ballpark figure for the materials to do this conversion?

If you can't state here, please e-mail.

Thanks

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99' Qcab, 4x4, auto, chrome nerf bars, VA, Boost elbow, DiProcal Pillar mount gauges,

 

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Keep us posted on performance, milage, etc. I'm interested to see how this works. Like Steve said, how much $? I've seen propane run gasser heads, usually cracked, is there a danger of this on the diesel, or am I thinking apples to oranges here?

 

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Just got back from a test run.

Absolutely no knock or pre-ignition coming from the engine. Bullydog warns against running the engine when this happens. I think the warning is geared towards more towards GM & Navistar diesel.

I have the Hobbs pressure switch set at about 2 lbs boost. I may bump it up to 3 or 4 lbs. The lightbulb worked great. Takes the guesswork out of knowing when the solenoid opens. Although you can feel it trigger by the "seat of the pants". A note of caution I`ll throw in. With the cooler weather coming and the grid preheater coming on at 59 degrees or lower after sitting overnight, make sure the system is OFF until the engine is at normal operating temp. (grid heater has finished cycling). The sytem has a large yellow rocker switch that lights up when the system is armed. Its hard to not notice it lit.

The engine seems to be quieter. Low end & midrange torque are vastly improved . The exhaust tone takes on a different sound. Kind of like a steady roar. Similar to a small propane torch #ad
(only at or near WOT)

I couldn`t believe how much cleaner the exhaust is & smelled. When I came to a light after a hard run,(windows down) the exhaust caught up to me. Smells like propane forklift exhaust. The propane really makes for complete combustion of the diesel fuel. The EPA would be happy to hear that. #ad

Not even a hint of the classic diesel exhaust smell. Adding propane to an engine that is idleing has no effect on exhaust odor. I guess it works best when mixed with lots of diesel fuel.

Torque is incredible! I used 1/2 throttle. Didn`t go more than that. I takes much less pedal to accellerate. My base truck was STRONG to begin with. The advanced timing probably helps get the most out of the system too.

My EGT seems to be down about 100 degrees as opposed to just diesel, on a hard run. Didn`t really pay close attention though.

Danandme & SteveAZ,

Expect a 100 HP gain and 200 Ft Lbs. torque increase @ WOT, As a rule of thumb. When the system is set to the "performance" setting. I may back it down some. I am looking for the increased MPG`s as much as the performance gain. (21 MPG W/O Bullydog) Bullydog has a Vapor system as opposed to ATS & Poweredge which uses liguid LP. Its said to be safer & easier to install. I bought my system when Carl (wwcd) got us the group purchase. $499 for everything but the tank. It may still be going on. Not sure.

HVAC, The propane guy thought I was going to run a liguid system out of a BBQ tank as the sole fuel. I was kind of insulted #ad
. I have so much rubber around the hole I drlled in the bed, It would take years of chaffing to cut the hose. Bulldog`s LP hose is metal reinforced. Tough hose.




[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 09-12-2000). ]

 

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Hemi... great to hear some feed back on this topic. I know i swore off propane... but..... it has caught my intrest. . Is there any difference between ATS,Bully-Dog,and Power-Edge propane systems... JB

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99 Black/Agate, Quad,Long bed,4x4, SLT,Auto,HX-40 16cm2 & ATS Exhaust manifold treated to Jet-Hot 2000(Gray),DD stage 3 injectors,4 wire Blue Box,"True" 5 inch Jet-Hot Coated exhaust from turbo to Tailpipe(Over the Axle),Borla Shoot-out Muffler,Suncoast converter, BD valve body and pressure-loc,Mag-Hytec trans pan,Amsoil ATF-4,Mobil Super Delvac 1300,fuel line up-grade from lift pump to filter and from filter to injection pump,Auto meter Ultra lite gauges:Boost,EGT,Fuel Pressure,Trans Temp, Valentine 1, EZ-pass

 

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QuadDoorRam25004x4diesel,

I swore off propane at first too. Was not even interested in reading the threads. Mostly terrified #ad
of blowing up myself and the truck. It was silly to believe that. 100 HP & a 200 Ft lbs. torque increase + 3-4 MPG increase for under $500 bananas got me interested. #ad


I`m not expert on propane systems, but I believe A. T. S & Power-edge are liquid fed systems that convert the liquid to vapor.

HVAC runs the Power-Edge and loves it.

Price for the different systems is another factor. Bullydog is the least expensive because its a vapor system. It uses less parts. I`m very happy with mine so far #ad


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94 2500 SLT 4x4 5 Speed, 3. 54 LS, JRE 4" exhaust,Autometer Pyro & Boost gauges, Bosch 215HP injectors, Timing @ 14. 7 BTDC, JRE Stage III #4 plate 270/675, AFC spring kit,Pschotty Air, Optima Red Tops, Geno`s Exhaust Blanket, Synthetic lubes throughout.



[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 09-10-2000). ]

 

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Hemi... . on the tank... how big is and what does one go for????? JB

 

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Quad,

I`m running a DOT 20# "BBQ" tank strapped & Hidden in the bed.

Got it at Home Depot for 30 bucks. The adapters are another story. See my first post.

There is good propane info in this thread too: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum4/HTML/002637.html
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94 2500 SLT 4x4 5 Speed, 3. 54 LS, JRE 4" exhaust,Autometer Pyro & Boost gauges, Bosch 215HP injectors, Timing @ 14. 7 BTDC, JRE Stage III #4 plate 270/675, AFC spring kit,Pschotty Air, Optima Red Tops, Geno`s Exhaust Blanket, Synthetic lubes throughout.


[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 09-10-2000). ]

 

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I looked at the bullydog system on their website before. wanted to talk with someone who tried it before I made a purchase.

It sounds like the kit does not come with all the parts you need to make it work. Was that the case or were you doing something custom that the kit didn't provide for? Just curious.

Have the VA and elbow now, w/ stock auto. Any concerns there?

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99' Qcab, 4x4, auto, chrome nerf bars, VA, Boost elbow, DiProcal Pillar mount gauges,

 

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Steve,

The kit includes everything except the tank and the adapters to hook the gas line to the tank. They can be found at a propane shop or an RV store. Bullydog can add a tank to the kit for an extra $350. 00. I passed on that option.

In the December 99 issue of FOUR WHEELER , Bully Dog said the reason to not automatically include a tank is "user preference varies".

The Tank & Adapters purchased locally were about 40 bucks.

[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 09-10-2000). ]

 

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Hemi, where'd you hide the tank? How far (miles) will the tank last? Does it vary how much it puts in, or is the thing either open or shut? Sorry so many questions, just piqued my curiosity.

 

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Thanks for the info, sounds like some AT mods might be in order before the propane mod.



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99' Qcab, 4x4, auto, chrome nerf bars, VA, Boost elbow, DiProcal Pillar mount gauges,

 

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????Can this be done on a non-intercooled 1st generation truck?????

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1990 w-250 4x4 cummins 5. 9,NV4500,tweaked injection pump, 16cm2 turbo exhaust housing, 205hp 550ft-lbs to the rear wheels and a 4. 10 rear end

 

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danandme,

The tank is well secured & straped down in the corner or the bed under the tonneau cover.

I have only had the system installed for about 20 miles so far. Bart T ,another TDR member gets 200-225 miles from a 20# BBQ tank at the "performance" setting. He is running the Power-Edge system.

I believe the soleniod is either open or closed. The gas flow is pre set by the at the regulator, by the user.

Joe Soot, I can`t think of a reason why you couldn`t run the system. I would call Phillip @ Bullydog for the answer.

 

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I have been running mine for over a year now with little difficulty other than(mention me when you talk to Pillip or Darrel) I got an early model and they've had a problem with the gaskets or seals, it sticks sometimes and I get ALOT of lpg at times, this is what happened at my last bog and it will kill the motor before things bad happen. Other than them not helping me aliviate this problem I've got no complaints, it works well at all levels and is easily adjustalble for any level of power you desire. It does make a difference on how much you do use as far as mileage, I set mine at around one turn in after a rough Idle for street use and is around 30 or so hp, at this level it last 250 miles of continuous use on the highway pulling at 70mph. I have a(5) 5 gallon bar-b-que tanks in my bed and 2 1. 1 gallon tank mounted under my bed for stelth and racing. I've made over 60hp on the dyno with it turned up 1. 5 turns in from the above mentioned and could easily go more but at this level(60hp) I had detonation below 1800rpms and didn't push things. The power is unmistakable, turn it on and you go faster, at 30hp level if you turn mine on at 60mph you end up going 65or 66 mph at the same throttle position. I hope this help and does not discurage anyone but these are my facts, it does work and you can have problems but it doesn't just blow your truck up by having to much lpg, you'd have to be really "silly" not to know what to much really is.
Adam

 

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The best way to get the propane line through the bed is by using the bulkhaed fitting that HVAC was talking about. The PE unit uses a model "J" regulator which can be used with either liquid or vapor and is the secret to its success (fuel being dispensed out according the amount needed). If you're out on the highway and constantly in boost you won't get 200 miles per 20# tank with the PE unit. The 200 mile figure is in city/some freeway driving.

 

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My 6 eats V8's, and Bart Timothy.....
How much does this help with MPG's?
I'm interested mainly in economy. Is it worth it for this application? TIA

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98 Quad cab 4X4 2500 12 valve,5 speed,3. 54 rears, 8' bed. Boost and egt gauges but basicly stock. 55,000 Mi as of 8/21/00.
NRA life member. High power/IDPA.

 

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Don't know about the milage increases with the Bully Dog unit. It operates quite a bit different than the PE. I can say that at $1. 47 for diesel, $1. 15 for propane, and say a 2 - 3 mpg diesel increase (from 17 to 20 mpg) the PE system doesn't save and in fact costs more to use. I think realistically that 4 mpg increase may be the very most you can expect to see with these systems.

One big down side of running propane is the hassle of filling the tank.

 

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I can say that with my bullydog set on street mode around 30 hp intown mileage goes up around 2-3 mpg and highway driving goes up from 2-5 with out lpg taken out so it does go up a little it seems more wile pulling fast. I intown is kind of hard to make the mileage go up, I have my swith on my shifter and only turn it on wile accelerating and constant speed over 60 and shut it off wile going down hill and any kind of decelerating.
Wile pulling my 5 gallon lpg last 250 miles of contunuous use at @30hp. I usually take 2 or 3 bottle with me on long trips so to not worry about running out or not finding a station.
Adam