2003 Anniversary Edition F150 - LPG Possible?
Discussion
Hi all
We have a 03 F150 Anniversary Edition Harley Davidson and it's been with us since early 2004. I've heard conflicting information about the potential to convert it to LPG.
When it was first bought and used, I looked into some of the specialists who could and had worked on American cars. I think only one place mentioned it was possible. We toyed with the idea for about a day and left it.
Now, we're thinking of selling it, however, I had a quick chat with my Bro and he said that he'd also looked into it briefly and no one could do the work to a standard which could guaranteed. Basically, they'd convert it, but wouldn't offer the warranty the work was done properly. This is becuase the engine is SuperCharged and there's very little UK knowledge on what's involved.
I'd have thought any company that does the work would have to stand by it's work? I mean, we're not about to take it to Joe bloggs round the back of a garage/lockup to do it, it'd have to be one of the registered companies.
So, is there a place, reputable and knowledgeable to do this work to a high level of expertise and willingness to offer a guarantee?
I thought I'd ask here as there's quite a few owners of USA vehicles here on this site and perhaps some know of a place.
Before anyone asks, yes, I know buying a 5.4 Supercharged 10MPG type vehicle isn't one for worrying about MPG etc, it's just it's limited on use now becuase of the mixed effects of business, the economy as a whole, fuel prices and the fact these cars are relatively hard to shift on unless it's to another enthusiast etc. If the conversion could be done, it may mean that we hold onto the truck longer and actually use it more.
All feedback and suggestions very welcome indeed!
Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!
We have a 03 F150 Anniversary Edition Harley Davidson and it's been with us since early 2004. I've heard conflicting information about the potential to convert it to LPG.
When it was first bought and used, I looked into some of the specialists who could and had worked on American cars. I think only one place mentioned it was possible. We toyed with the idea for about a day and left it.
Now, we're thinking of selling it, however, I had a quick chat with my Bro and he said that he'd also looked into it briefly and no one could do the work to a standard which could guaranteed. Basically, they'd convert it, but wouldn't offer the warranty the work was done properly. This is becuase the engine is SuperCharged and there's very little UK knowledge on what's involved.
I'd have thought any company that does the work would have to stand by it's work? I mean, we're not about to take it to Joe bloggs round the back of a garage/lockup to do it, it'd have to be one of the registered companies.
So, is there a place, reputable and knowledgeable to do this work to a high level of expertise and willingness to offer a guarantee?
I thought I'd ask here as there's quite a few owners of USA vehicles here on this site and perhaps some know of a place.
Before anyone asks, yes, I know buying a 5.4 Supercharged 10MPG type vehicle isn't one for worrying about MPG etc, it's just it's limited on use now becuase of the mixed effects of business, the economy as a whole, fuel prices and the fact these cars are relatively hard to shift on unless it's to another enthusiast etc. If the conversion could be done, it may mean that we hold onto the truck longer and actually use it more.
All feedback and suggestions very welcome indeed!
Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!
I have the same model and wouldn't even consider converting to LPG.
These engines are sensitive to detonation if the timing and a/f ratio are wrong with disasterous consequenses so if you do find someone, get a warranty.
BTW, if your getting 10mpg, you must be caning it all the time or there's something wrong with it.
Mine gets 15mpg strictlt in town and 20mpg on a run AND its seriously modded for more power.
These engines are sensitive to detonation if the timing and a/f ratio are wrong with disasterous consequenses so if you do find someone, get a warranty.
BTW, if your getting 10mpg, you must be caning it all the time or there's something wrong with it.
Mine gets 15mpg strictlt in town and 20mpg on a run AND its seriously modded for more power.
Spot on Roo.
Are you sure this isn't a false economy? I wince every time I fill my tank but I only do 3000 miles a year in it.
For the sake of the calculation, If I take my 15mpg figure, that's 200 gallons at a fiver per, so call it £1000 in fuel cost p.a.
If I bought lpg and it worked out at half price, I'd save £500 per year.
But a decent lpg conversion costs about 2k so it would take me 4 years just to break even, let alone save anything,
Are you sure this isn't a false economy? I wince every time I fill my tank but I only do 3000 miles a year in it.
For the sake of the calculation, If I take my 15mpg figure, that's 200 gallons at a fiver per, so call it £1000 in fuel cost p.a.
If I bought lpg and it worked out at half price, I'd save £500 per year.
But a decent lpg conversion costs about 2k so it would take me 4 years just to break even, let alone save anything,
Hi all
Thanks for the replies, I do now remember some people saying it can be prone to issues if not done properly etc. I looked around and found Prins LPG, and that rang a bell - I spoke to these guys last time and they said it is possible etc, and gave a warranty I believe. Anyone had any experience with them?
To the poster who said I must be caning it all the time (sorry, I don't know yet how to see the history of the thread when replying!)
actually no, the engine isn't caned, I was merely typing that as a one off figure without paying attention to it's accuracy! equivalent of online pub talk I guess! - I agree, when it's driven normally with some excercising of the supercharger, it does return a decent rate/MPG for it's size! Can I also ask what kind of mod's you've done? I'm all 'new' at yank modifications in terms of really knowing about them, seen and talked of plenty, but need to understand the next level as it were. I believe one of the 2007 Mustangs had around 520 BHP and is basically the same engine as the F150 HD but a different top part and bits? met an owner who said you could find one of these that's been smacked and take bits on put it on your engine for like a 180 bhp increase.. from my standard 340 to 520? is this possible? am I looking at 1, 2 4 5 grand plus?
It's mainly my bro's car, he's got it at a showroom that belongs to one of his friends at the moment - draws visitors in.. to look at all the normal cars they have for sale there! I personally want to keep it, but if it goes it goes. The LPG idea was one to see if it's worth it if it does stay.
Thanks once again - apologies for being a bit vague, newbie and in two minds over it kinda thing!
Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!
Thanks for the replies, I do now remember some people saying it can be prone to issues if not done properly etc. I looked around and found Prins LPG, and that rang a bell - I spoke to these guys last time and they said it is possible etc, and gave a warranty I believe. Anyone had any experience with them?
To the poster who said I must be caning it all the time (sorry, I don't know yet how to see the history of the thread when replying!)
actually no, the engine isn't caned, I was merely typing that as a one off figure without paying attention to it's accuracy! equivalent of online pub talk I guess! - I agree, when it's driven normally with some excercising of the supercharger, it does return a decent rate/MPG for it's size! Can I also ask what kind of mod's you've done? I'm all 'new' at yank modifications in terms of really knowing about them, seen and talked of plenty, but need to understand the next level as it were. I believe one of the 2007 Mustangs had around 520 BHP and is basically the same engine as the F150 HD but a different top part and bits? met an owner who said you could find one of these that's been smacked and take bits on put it on your engine for like a 180 bhp increase.. from my standard 340 to 520? is this possible? am I looking at 1, 2 4 5 grand plus?
It's mainly my bro's car, he's got it at a showroom that belongs to one of his friends at the moment - draws visitors in.. to look at all the normal cars they have for sale there! I personally want to keep it, but if it goes it goes. The LPG idea was one to see if it's worth it if it does stay.
Thanks once again - apologies for being a bit vague, newbie and in two minds over it kinda thing!
Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!
If your intending to up the power by a big amount you would be wise to buy a built motor.
Mine was done by JDM and installed myself, tuned on a dyno with online link to JDM
Achieved 570 RWHP on pump fuel
640 RWHP on race fuel and ended up running a 10.92 1/4 mile
Forget LPG on one of these boosted motors unless the company do a full dyno tune after and give you a solid warrenty fully covering you if the motor fails.
Or buy a non supercharged truck and convert that instead.
Mine was done by JDM and installed myself, tuned on a dyno with online link to JDM
Achieved 570 RWHP on pump fuel
640 RWHP on race fuel and ended up running a 10.92 1/4 mile
Forget LPG on one of these boosted motors unless the company do a full dyno tune after and give you a solid warrenty fully covering you if the motor fails.
Or buy a non supercharged truck and convert that instead.
Dennis, that was me.
First of all, you are the sort who gets Yank cars a bad name on here
According to the Clarkson nutswingers, all Yanks get 10mpg, handle like crap and the interiors fall apart after 5 minutes.
Don't perpetuate the nonsense
But in answer to your tuning questions, I'll try and provide insight.
The Mustang to are refering to with 520bhp is probably the Shelby GT500. This did use the same 5.4 block but with 4valve heads. You can bolt the heads onto the truck block but this is a major swap. I know someone who did it. Also, not exactly cheap. The simpler way to do this would be to buy a complete GT500 crate motor from FRPP. Currently, these are around $13,995 although you might get a discount but don't forget the shipping and VAT.
You can also tune the 2v engine you have. I have different upper & lower supercharger pullies for more boost, cold & ram air intake, different plugs, ported supercharger, custom twin 3" exhaust and methanol injection.
You'll also need a hand held programmer and a custom tune to make the engine perform & live, plus I also have gearbox, suspension modifications and race wheels to get the power down.
This is about as far as you can go without replacing the conrods (powdered metal) and cast pistons.
If you want to build the bottom end to handle it, the skys the limit with cams, twin screw blowers or turbo conversions.
In all honesty, you can spend approx. £1000 on some basic mods, which will really wake the truck up and then go from there. Word of warning though, once you start, its hard to stop
If you want to go with an alternate fuel, how about converting it to run on E85? You'll need some mods to the fuel system as ethanol is corrosive and even though the btu output is lower than petrol, you can throw some serious timing and boost at it due to E85's higher octane rating.
Taking nothing away from PH, the biggest UK forum for modified Lightning/HD's and the racing thereof is Rebel V8. Look us up over there if you want more answers.
www.rebel-v8.co.uk
First of all, you are the sort who gets Yank cars a bad name on here
According to the Clarkson nutswingers, all Yanks get 10mpg, handle like crap and the interiors fall apart after 5 minutes. Don't perpetuate the nonsense
But in answer to your tuning questions, I'll try and provide insight.
The Mustang to are refering to with 520bhp is probably the Shelby GT500. This did use the same 5.4 block but with 4valve heads. You can bolt the heads onto the truck block but this is a major swap. I know someone who did it. Also, not exactly cheap. The simpler way to do this would be to buy a complete GT500 crate motor from FRPP. Currently, these are around $13,995 although you might get a discount but don't forget the shipping and VAT.
You can also tune the 2v engine you have. I have different upper & lower supercharger pullies for more boost, cold & ram air intake, different plugs, ported supercharger, custom twin 3" exhaust and methanol injection.
You'll also need a hand held programmer and a custom tune to make the engine perform & live, plus I also have gearbox, suspension modifications and race wheels to get the power down.
This is about as far as you can go without replacing the conrods (powdered metal) and cast pistons.
If you want to build the bottom end to handle it, the skys the limit with cams, twin screw blowers or turbo conversions.
In all honesty, you can spend approx. £1000 on some basic mods, which will really wake the truck up and then go from there. Word of warning though, once you start, its hard to stop
If you want to go with an alternate fuel, how about converting it to run on E85? You'll need some mods to the fuel system as ethanol is corrosive and even though the btu output is lower than petrol, you can throw some serious timing and boost at it due to E85's higher octane rating.
Taking nothing away from PH, the biggest UK forum for modified Lightning/HD's and the racing thereof is Rebel V8. Look us up over there if you want more answers.
www.rebel-v8.co.uk
HD Adam
Hiya! - apologies in regards to me spouting like clarkson there! I must slap my own wrist for that, as actually I think overall for what USA cars/engines are like, they're actually not that bad on fuel! When I do have serious conversations, actually it's the other way around, people say 'oh you must hardly see 10MPG in that thing, and I usually say, actually no, driven normally you'll see an easy 18MPG from it and driven lightly will push that up some more.
I'll take a look at the site soon, as I said previously, it's not mine as such, more my brothers' so whatever he decides to do ultimately is it, I won't really have a say in it! I love it for the fact it's different, yes it's a bit OTT for the UK roads, but so what! we were even considering that F350 HD 7.0 Diesel thing at one point but decided that really was just too big !
The power upgrades do sound good though, I'd not drop £12K into an engine change like that though, that kind of money and I'd rather sell this off and look for something new and exciting from the US to bring over!
Thanks all so far - much appreciated!
Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!
Hiya! - apologies in regards to me spouting like clarkson there! I must slap my own wrist for that, as actually I think overall for what USA cars/engines are like, they're actually not that bad on fuel! When I do have serious conversations, actually it's the other way around, people say 'oh you must hardly see 10MPG in that thing, and I usually say, actually no, driven normally you'll see an easy 18MPG from it and driven lightly will push that up some more.
I'll take a look at the site soon, as I said previously, it's not mine as such, more my brothers' so whatever he decides to do ultimately is it, I won't really have a say in it! I love it for the fact it's different, yes it's a bit OTT for the UK roads, but so what! we were even considering that F350 HD 7.0 Diesel thing at one point but decided that really was just too big !
The power upgrades do sound good though, I'd not drop £12K into an engine change like that though, that kind of money and I'd rather sell this off and look for something new and exciting from the US to bring over!
Thanks all so far - much appreciated!
Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!
Jonathan Palmer ran all his Supercharged Jaguars on LPG & they were used by heavy footed visitors to his track.
If you consult the correct LPG specialists then I am sure you would be fine. Gastech & D&N Autogas are reputable installers with good reps that I know of.
As said on here if you are only doing 3k a year then why bother, but for those doing more, like 12k & upwards then maybe worth it.
Obviously not for everyone but I have my fourth V8 motor in a row on LPG ( second supercharged ) & whilst in the UK wouldn't run the V8's on anything else, as a daily driver.
PS- When you really want to drop the hammer you can always press the button to go back to full fat petrol, otherwise mine will cruise at a ton no probs on LPG ( in germany.....)
The aussies seem to use LPG & supercharged power quite a bit!
If you consult the correct LPG specialists then I am sure you would be fine. Gastech & D&N Autogas are reputable installers with good reps that I know of.
As said on here if you are only doing 3k a year then why bother, but for those doing more, like 12k & upwards then maybe worth it.
Obviously not for everyone but I have my fourth V8 motor in a row on LPG ( second supercharged ) & whilst in the UK wouldn't run the V8's on anything else, as a daily driver.
PS- When you really want to drop the hammer you can always press the button to go back to full fat petrol, otherwise mine will cruise at a ton no probs on LPG ( in germany.....)
The aussies seem to use LPG & supercharged power quite a bit!
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