Natural Gas Conversion Kits for Cummins Gen2

[southernman]

Guys, I was looking at ebay today and there is a "pool" company that sells conversion kits for diesels. The price seems reasonable, but I was wondering if anyone out there has personal experience with converting to LNG? I can find the kits, but it seems none come with a bottle/tank.



If you have converted, how has it performed; was the conversion complex; what were the biggest challenges; and/or do you have a recommendation on a kit, or do-it-yourself approach ?



I browsed the 'alt' fuel section of this site, but it seems there is much emphasis on veggie based/bio. I've had excellent results with the Diesel Secret Energy (DSE) approach and I've found it's about the cheapest alt stuff around. The only problem I had was with the hoses, which started gushing unexpectedly after a few months of running. However, hose upgrades were cheap and easy to perform.



Dave in Raleigh, NC

'96 3500, 175K, #10 plate, 4" Exh, South Bend clutch upgrade, 3:54 gears, and the best investment I've ever made in a vehicle !

 

[BLNRAY]

never converted one but i am a mechanic , i worked on CNG cummins in transit buses. cannot think of any reason i would convert. power is about the same, but it takes more gas to make power,than diesel.

 

[southernman]

never converted one but i am a mechanic , i worked on CNG cummins in transit buses. cannot think of any reason i would convert. power is about the same, but it takes more gas to make power,than diesel.

Thanks for the reply. I'm aware of the CNG conversion kit made by BD, but it's pricey at ~$3500. 00 for the kit, which includes the controller.



Given CNG has the highest octane value of any fuel, there is no cheaper return per BTU in terms of power, and that's been proven time and again. However, the new kits are designed to augment the diesel fuel system at a ratio of ~20-30% diesel to 80-70% CNG. At that ratio, the fuel mileage soars to around 35-40 mpg - and that's based on a Cummins diesel that BD and their partners developed the systems for.



Only problem is, at 5-10K average miles per year on my truck, it could take 5-10 years to recoup my investment, assuming CNG remains ~ . 70 - . 80 cents per gallon.



Again, thanks for the response, but I'm still looking for a low-buck system that I could have up and running for a reasonable price.



Dave in Raleigh, NC

'96 3500 5 spd 170K miles and still running like new...