Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) propane assist kits what are the pros & cons

[Swineheart]

I have been looking into propane assist for my truck. I know that there are horsepower increases and fuel savings how much can you expect? I am interested in the PROS & CONS of how safe they are on a 12 valve. If you know someone who is running propane what kit do they recommend and how much are they? Is water injection needed to cool down boost? I need some input on this issue. Thanks guys DEAN

 

[SKnapp]

bump i would like to know too? what does a gallon vs weight cost?20lb cyl = $18. 00 roughly

 

[jkidd]

search there are lots of threads on this. one recent one is propane revisited.

Search in the alternative fuel section

 

[AKaiser]

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/alternative-fuels/198584-revisiting-propane.html

 

[kykeysor]

I have had propane injection on my pickup for 6 yrs/ 80k miles. I get better mileage 2+ mpg better and way cooler egt's. My system is a bully dog. Mine was 675$ when i bought it, be sure u tighten the **** out of the nut that holds the stinger in the intake because the nut will fall off and the you get to invest in a new turbo!

 

[Swineheart]

Horsepower gain

I have had propane injection on my pickup for 6 yrs/ 80k miles. I get better mileage 2+ mpg better and way cooler egt's. My system is a bully dog. Mine was 675$ when i bought it, be sure u tighten the **** out of the nut that holds the stinger in the intake because the nut will fall off and the you get to invest in a new turbo!

Did you see much gain in your horsepower? And where did you mount your tank and how much propane do you go threw? thanks DEAN

 

[kykeysor]

Yes you can tell when it kicks in because it gives the pickup a little jerk. If im driving down the road and shut it off and turn it back on i gain 2-3 psi of boost. It really cooled my pyro down, i have the #5 stop plate in my pump slid not quite all the way forward but more than the stock position, without the propane it just to get hot fast (1100 degrees after turbo) and with the propane it hangs at 900 for a long time.



If im running around empty i can get about 2-3 tanks of fuel out of a 20lb bottle. Considering that i only drive 65mph because i never get in a hurry, and i have a u. s. gear overdrive aux. transmission. Then pulling my camper to a different job site, i get about 1 tank of fuel for a tank of propane because it is always using it. When i put it on it didnt kick the propane on till 8psi and i turned the regulator down so it kicks in a 6-7psi.



I just have 2 20lb bottles in my tool box in the back of my pickup box. And the hose run up through the floor and mounted the propane regulator on the inside of the passanger side inner fender.



Kyle

 

[Swineheart]

sounds good to me

Yes you can tell when it kicks in because it gives the pickup a little jerk. If im driving down the road and shut it off and turn it back on i gain 2-3 psi of boost. It really cooled my pyro down, i have the #5 stop plate in my pump slid not quite all the way forward but more than the stock position, without the propane it just to get hot fast (1100 degrees after turbo) and with the propane it hangs at 900 for a long time.



If im running around empty i can get about 2-3 tanks of fuel out of a 20lb bottle. Considering that i only drive 65mph because i never get in a hurry, and i have a u. s. gear overdrive aux. transmission. Then pulling my camper to a different job site, i get about 1 tank of fuel for a tank of propane because it is always using it. When i put it on it didnt kick the propane on till 8psi and i turned the regulator down so it kicks in a 6-7psi.



I just have 2 20lb bottles in my tool box in the back of my pickup box. And the hose run up through the floor and mounted the propane regulator on the inside of the passanger side inner fender.



Kyle

thanks for the info Kyle I have been getting both sides of the story. The pros seem to out way the cons I've heard. I want good horsepower for towing my RV . I don't get in a hurry going places and keep a close EYE on my gauges. I like the fact of cooler EGT's and more power. Thanks for your input DEAN

 

[jkidd]

Please correct me if I am wrong... I heard that boost pressure does not accurately reflect the cylinder head pressure when propane is used. It gives people a false sense of security as propane increases the pressure, people think things are good and put more boost on top of the increased pressure from the propane leading to head gasket problems. (I am looking into propane too. )
Jacob

 

[kykeysor]

From what I can tell with mine is that when it hits 7 psi of boost the propane kicks in. I think that it is on or off but I dont have my owners manual any more. I know that when you gas on it and blow black smoke and the propane kicks in the smoke goes away. I havent had any head gasket problems and I have 156K on the pickup and I put the propane on @ 75Kish?