Re: 304/290/200R4

[Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>]

On Thu, 5 May 2005 fljab@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> I'm actually interested in TBI since reading the Megasquirt site.  Doesn't look all that hard using GM parts and fully programmable control box.  I believe it could be put together quite reasonably using Ebay or JY parts.  For that matter, you can probably buy them reconditioned/new at Kragen's/Autozone/Advance Auto easily and within budget as well.

I'm also interested in MegaSquirt, but it will be later in the
year. I'll be running it on a 258. I know that port injection is
"better" but it sure seems like TBI gets you 90% of the benefits
with half the cost and comoplexity.

Plus cooincidentally I have the 68HC11 development kit that the
thing uses, and I've done a loooot of assembly language work in
the past, so I'm sure I'll hack at it eventually.

> is LPG that much
> cheaper to run?  Is there anyone running it on a converted vehicle
> that can answer that?

Most dual-fuel setups are LP mixers that bolt on top of the carb
in place of the air cleaner. With a solenoid you run the carb dry
of gasoline, then switch on the LP. It's inefficient as hell.
You're far better off doing single-fuel.

I've run LPG on my 232 for 17 years now. No complaints. I pay
$2.50 or so at the BBQ tank fillers at the local gas station, but
$1.65 at Mutual Propane, a big regional dealer. They now have a
card-lock system so as soon as I get my card I can buy LP 24/7.

As a rule of thumb, you'll get 10% less MPG on LP vs gasoline.
Reason: BTUs energy per unit volume.


> >  If you put it in the wagon you can get a fairly larg tank in there by reworking >the trunk floor to use the storage area. It does have a storage area?

I sacrificed my station wagon storage box to fit a 35 gallon
"water capacity" tank (28 gal fuel capacity). Tank, from
Manchester, cost $600 new. Ouch. Everything else in an LP system
is cheap though.

> Anyone got a complete 304? I have a 360 I'd trade.  It would be
> hard for me to sneak in another engine past Mama, but if one left,
> and one took it's place, well, that's different!

But but... the 360 weighs the same as the 304, right? Same
frictional losses?  Same (or close) rotating mass? Why not just
grossly undertune it w/tiny carb, keep revs low and use the
torque?