what kind of mileage does you surf get??

[Maddog007]

Hi ,Newbie from newzealnd here ,just wondering what kind of mileage you all get with your V6.??
mines not to flash at the moment im only getting about 220kms per fill.

[stara]

99% of surfs on here are diesel

[Elvz]

Don't know if it's really a fair comparision but I had a diesel Surf with a V6 gasoline engine and though I don't bother about fuel economy I found it really annoying that I had to fill it up at least twice a week; the standard fuel tank is way too small for the V6

[J5C]

I have a V6 petrol that drinks fuel, am seriously considering getting a fuel conversion to halve the bill.

[Maddog007]

I've heard or been told by some that you should be able to get just about 400kms out of a tank,im still playing around with things trying to achieve that.

[rusty]

I've heard or been told by some that you should be able to get just about 400kms out of a tank,im still playing around with things trying to achieve that.

Dimwit here misread the poll as miles not kms - DOH!!
If I cruise I can get 400kms from a tank but don't tend to cruise.
I have a LPG injection system fitted onto the V6 which gives me a darn sight more for a third of the cost.
Fuel is approx 80 pence per litre
LPG is 28.9 pence per litre
I still get the same miles to a gallon but at a third of the running costs
EG. around town I get about 12 miles per gallon (crap I know but I've got a heavy foot and the engine has been "de-catted" & tweeked)
on a run I get 17 miles per gallon and at LPG prices that means pound for pound I get about 44 miles per gallon (plus I carry 87 litres of LPG - I can go miles!!)
BL**DY GREAT - A V6 toy for Nissan Micra economy!!!

[J5C]

I like the idea of a gas conversion on my surf. i have heard that the government pay some of the istallation bill too! any ideas how much it costs to convert?

[Maddog007]

I second that...Whats invovled in a conversion ???

[rusty]

I like the idea of a gas conversion on my surf. i have heard that the government pay some of the istallation bill too! any ideas how much it costs to convert?

I second that...Whats invovled in a conversion ???

I'll answer both these questions tomorrow if that's OK - I'll take some pics of my engine and explain more then

[Maddog007]

Thanx rusty

[rusty]

[rusty]

I like the idea of a gas conversion on my surf. i have heard that the government pay some of the istallation bill too! any ideas how much it costs to convert?
I second that...Whats invovled in a conversion ???

The government WILL NOT give you any allowences on converting your truck.

There is a designated list for vehicles that they will susidise and it tends to be newer and smaller vehicles.

As for cost it depends on the type of system you want fitted.
1. Vapour take off - these systems put gas into the air inlet track between the FM and the inlet manifold. the down side is that they flood the inlet manifold and the gas wastage is quite high. there is also the risk of what is known as "blow back" where the ignited gas blows back towards the air box. This is overcome by putting in a "blow back valve" which is similar to the AFM in that it is of a swinging gate design and prevents the flame reaching your air box and blowing a bl**dy big hole in it!!

2. Injection - this type of system works the same way as a petrol injection system. Gas is put into each individual chamber thus it only uses the required amount of LPG to run. You also remove the "blow back" hazard and therefore do not need a "blow back valve". (I have this type of system on my 4runner)
There are pros and cons for each system -

VTO are cheaper to install but cost more to run as the economy is approx 1-2 mpg than you would usually get from your vehicle.

INJ costs more to install, mechanical injectors are used and you require inline filters to draw away any moisture for the vapourised gas prior to it being injected but the mpg is the same as normal. The vehicle starts on petrol pressure tests, warms up and then at 1200 rpm automatically switches across to LPG. (there isn't any jumping or lurching when this happens it's very smooth)

Yoy can buy a DIY system and this will keep the costs down.
Having had 2 systems on my 4runner (the first was a prototype put on for 6 months as a favour for the garage (friend of mine!!) then removed in favour for the current system I am using)
I would not recommend having a VTO system.
Firstly there is very little space where you can put the inlet valve in the ar pipe (unless you modify the pipe work)
Secondly I don't like the thought of a system which "floods" the manifold then goes bang (personal opinion!)

As for cost - DIY kits range from £500+ A fullly fitted Zavoli injection system fitted at Car-Gas Conversions in Stoke will set you back around £1700 (inc VAT) This sounds expensive and it is up to you to work out whether you would return this cost in the milage you do.
Personally I haven't had any reservations in doing it - my 4runner pulls as well on LPG as it does on Petrol at nearly 1/3 of the economy
I filled up with petrol yesterday at the cost of 80.9 p per ltr and the day before I paid 28.9 p per ltr for LPG


I have attached some pictures for you to have a look at, don't worry the pics are OK when they are opened!!

(Am on duty today so I'll add some more details when I can)

[Maddog007]

Thanx rusty,

Very interesting...... I thought that was where you would have to put the tank,either that or in the boot eh .I estimate it would cost between $3000-$4000 here to do it (thants about 1500-2000 pound i guess) .I would love to do it but it would take me about 5- 7 years for it to break even.but then again if i had to sell my surf because i couldnt afford to run it ,i would lose that much straight away .
hmmmmmmm

[J5C]

Cheers Rusty, top info!

If I had a newer surf I think I would get it done. Mines only worth 3k tops so spending nearly 2 grand on a conversion seems mad to me.

[TonyN]

Cheers Rusty, top info!

If I had a newer surf I think I would get it done. Mines only worth 3k tops so spending nearly 2 grand on a conversion seems mad to me.

Depends, you save 50% on your fuel bill, could easy recoup it if you do a lot of miles, value of car doesn't really matter.

I went from £50 to £30 a week in my V8'ed Toyota pickup, thats over 2 grand saved in a year. Would pay for your kit in two years, I paid £150 for a used open loop set up, so was saving money after 6 weeks!!!!