Propane fumigation Installation

[Jim Nunn]

I am ready to complete the bombing of my truck byadding a propane kit. I've found a mechanic in Sandersville, GA who has told me that he'll do this and sounds like he knows what he's doing. He's going to get the bully dog kit (the H. O one), and install the tank in the truck bed rather than underneath, which is fine with me. My truck is a long bed.



I'll supposedly have another 100HP with this addition, and that should do me.



If anyone has any last minute advice, let'her'rip.



oops, bad pun... ... ... ...



Jim Nunn

 

[Briar Hopper]

I feel the best, and safest, system to use is the Powershot 2000, which is what I have on my '01.

Propane will easily blow your head gasket, or turbo, if you don't have it set right, or something goes wrong.

The BullyDog system blew the head gasket on a friend's truck, so I've seen it happen.

You're having somebody else install it for you. It's not his truck. That's not good. You need to be very familiar with any propane system you're using, and how to adjust it. There are also pitfalls to watch out for, if the tank falls over, for example, you'll get a shot of liquid propane into the engine.

There are other, safer, stronger mods for the Cummins that I'd recommend, all are quite easy to install.

 

[MUDDY]

Originally posted by Briar Hopper





Propane will easily blow your head gasket, or turbo, if you don't have it set right, or something goes wrong.

The BullyDog system blew the head gasket on a friend's truck, so I've seen it happen.

, if the tank falls over, you'll get a shot of liquid propane into the engine.

.

is the problem with the head gaskets only on the eth engine or do they all have problems. does using propane in moderation harm the head gaskets or the turbo. how does it hurt the turbo?ive heard having it set to give no more than 80 hp is safe.



also when you have a laydown tank and it is overfull, propane will slosh into the regulator on the tank and it will go screwy and let more than the set pressure out to the engine. my regulator was set at 15 psi and when the liquid sloshed out the gauge was reading 30 psi.



i was running with 275s, a mopar uprate ecm, and i was using the propane just on the hills with an orofice just smaller than 1/8 inch and the regulator adjusted no more than 15 psi, normally at 12 psi. i had it injected into the stock airbox, but since i canned that to go to a k and n cone filter i will have to put a nipple on the short pipe between the cone and the turbo hose. i have since went to the diablo powerpuck. in your opinion, do you think it would be wise to drop the pressure on the regulator even more because of the puck. ive had no problems and it pulled real good with 12 psi before the puck. do you think the amount of pressure and volume i am running is safe for the engine in the long term?



thanks in advance for your opinion.



mm

 

[Briar Hopper]

I've got a second regulator to limit flow to a certain 40psi, and I can run the propane with my TST Powermax3 box set on level 5 (has 9 levels).

Call Keith Long at Diesel Performance Products, he knows his stuff... HVAC on the left coast also is into propane, but no idea what he has.

I'm happy with the Powershot 2000 I got from Keith, and the great service. Scratch that, it's EXCELLENT service. Good enough, he's knocked me for a loop several times.

MY OBJECTION HERE IS THAT: some systems, such as the old bullydog, can accidentally flow too much propane if something goes wrong. Or you can set it too high. (all systems on the market CAN be set too high, I think)

One TDR member blew a head gasket because it was set too close to the margin, and he ran it too hard for too long... .

Another blew his turbo when changing overnight temperatures caused the system to fire a liquid slug in there.

Regular use of the propane will not harm the head gasket. Exceeding certain boost levels might, though. You can exceed the safe boost levels with extra fuel & a bigger turbo...

Don't cut a hole in your turbo hose. I drilled a hole in the rubber end of my K & N cone air filter (RE-0880) a little smaller than the hose diameter, and inserted the propane feed hose until the end of it was halway into the turbo air hose. I then used black electrical tape to wind a big knot on the hose to keep it from slipping down any farther. The end of the K & N is up against the firewall, it's all hidden, and neatly held in place !

As for "laydown" tanks , don't use them unless you have a second regulator to catch the "sloshing". BE MIGHTY SURE it's plumbed for vapor, and not liquid.

Unlees you have the right system, and know what you're doing, you can easily harm your engine...

 

[BigCarl64]

Originally posted by Briar Hopper

I've got a second regulator to limit flow to a certain 40psi, and I can run the propane with my TST Powermax3 box set on level 5 (has 9 levels).

I would like to know what type of regulator you are using to limit the pressure out of the tank. I have an original Powershot 2000 and with the Texas heat here in the summer, the pressure gets way too high to use, especially when the truck has been sitting in the direct sun.

Any details(i. e. brand name, part #, etc. ) you can provide on the regulator would be greatly appreciated.



I have added an adjustable air pressure regulator off the turbo hose to limit the amount of boost pressure the tank regulator sees. Even with that turned down to 20psi, I still have a problem with too much propane when the tank gets hot. Am I correct in assuming the regulator you are talking about limits the pressure out of the tank?



Thanks!

 

[Texas Diesel]

I have a dumb question, why take all these risks? Is propane necessary? Why?

 

[MUDDY]

Originally posted by Texas Diesel

I have a dumb question, why take all these risks? Is propane necessary? Why?

propane works as a catalyst to help burn the diesel more completely.



diesel is approximately 78 percent efficient, way way more efficient than a gasoline engine. propane makes the diesel approximately 98 percent efficient.



propane helps to burn the un burned diesel fuel and turn the smoke into energy. the propane is also an additional fuel.



for the amount of power it adds, egts increase less than other ways which add the same power.



fuel mileage increases and also oil stays cleaner longer.



this is not a system to be used by the ignorant, as common sense is required. dont use under low boost low rpm. my home made system has a safety switch that doesnt let the propane turn on under 6 lbs of boost. also do not get carried away with the volume and pressure. use in moderation. however when it is turned up, you can get way more power, but engine longetivety suffers. for example, 1 guy with a psd almost doubled his hp on the dyno by playing with his system. i use my pressure and volume in moderation as this rig has got to last me 20 years. ive heard that 80 hp added is reasonable and will not cause harm. im sure the way i have mine adjusted, it adds less than that.



one thing about the propane is you are adding it as a fuel, burning diesel that is wasted, all without stressing the vp44 pump since it is injected into the air box and breathed into the engine.



an added benefit is it brings the boost up slightly. the way my rig was with the uprate ecm and the 275s only, the boost was 20 to 21 psi. when the propane was turned on it would go up to 25 to26.



another thing about the propane system is it is inexpensive to build your own. dont use the bullydog system as it has chinsey hoses and the regulator and switch is under the hood. my regulator is on the tank, and ive switched to a stand up barbeque tank because lay down tanks let the liquid slosh out when they are full. my switch is up inside the frame instead of by the engine.



the powershot system sounds like the best factory system for all its features. adds gas gradually according to boost.

hopefully someone will chime in here on the specific features of the powershot.

also the powershot seems to be reasonable in price.





mm

 

[Texas Diesel]

Sounds awesome, hopefully someone will bring one the the LSTDR campout so I can see one. Thanks for the information, cant help but love the idea you dont have to work the VP-44 any harder.