Now offering an "econo" V8 propane kit

[Propane]

Well, I'm glad to say that I was able to convince the manufacturer of the old school carb adapters to go back into production
This now means that if you wanted to save some $$ by re-using your existing Quadrajet or Holley butterflies, It's now possible. It doesn't seem like a lot off but lets compare apples to apples. A lot of people talk about the $300 "kit" that propane guy sells. I want to give a breakdown and compare apples to apples.

I'll start off with the carburetion. I only use new x450 and x1 equipment on v8 motors. It makes the most power, tunes the easiest, and is the most fuel efficient. As equipment gets old it uses more fuel. It's not in the diaphrams but in the actual metal housings that wear down.

They offer an entry level 425 "kit for $300. If you don't want it to use a ton of fuel you can upgrade it to new for $475. A new x450 is $275. Their x1 is $250.

There are no adapters in their "kit" This is a crucial part. They do sell them for $45 used or $80 new.
Hose is not included. It is $15 for the first foot and $8 each foot thereafter. We supply at least 11 ft with every kit. That would be $95.
We also supply the re-useable hose ends and ALL the other fittings. (roughly $5ea) there are a lot of them. We also use a fuel filter (important),and an electric fuel shutoff solenoid. They sell the solenoid for $70. It is very important that the fitting between the solenoid is made out of grade 8 steel. NFPA58 installation standard because it likes to crack there because of high stress loads. We also supply the water "y"s as well as all the hoses and clamps.
We supply a bulkhead fitting with a pressure relief device. The bulkhead is necessary whenever running the propane line through a floor. It also provides a mounting spot for the P.R.D. They sell a used P.R.D. for $20 but no bulkhead.
To finish our kit we include a set of brand new tank brackets and the forklift connector. They sell an offroad tank setup with an 8 gallon tank with brackets and connector for $250. We don't sell our kits with a tank because we can only ship new tanks and in most cases my customers have been able to find used ones as cheap as $25. But to compare, If you take out a tank that I sell for $160 that leaves you with $90 for the brackets and fitting.

So let's add it up : entry level 425 kit (the basics) $300
11 ft of hose $95
No adapter is available for the 425. So you have to make your own.
If you use the x450 kit they have, they have an adapter to a q-jet for $45 used or $80 new. So let's say$45
Electric soleniod $70
No fuel filter offered
Used pressure relief device without bulkhead $20
Difference in price w/o tank. Brackets and tank fitting $90
So that would bring us up to $600 right?
Still no fittings and only able to adapt to a Q-jet. No Holley?

If you were to price their new x1 and x450 that would add $225. That would add up to $825. My target price of my kits with the new adapters should come out to between $925 and $950. I feel that when you truly compare the difference, You get more of a bargain with going with a complete kit. Our kits include everything but the tank itself. As well as some extra fittings so you can customise it to your rig. I wanted to put this out there because not many people realise what all is involved in a complete conversion.

[freds40]

Nice comparison Cary. Question for ya. With this setup, are all adjustments made on the mixer itself or do you use the idle adjustment screws on the Rochester base plate?

[Propane]

The adapter has an actual idle adjustment screw built in The only other thing to tune is the idle mixture and your timing, which you do by driving it and advancing it until it either pings or makes no more power. Then back it off about 3 degrees (or a little bit)

[freds40]

Finally had some time to get mine thrown together. Used some JB weld to block a large opening in the original Q-jet base plate.

[freds40]

Took a flat aluminum block, sprayed it with a light coating of WD-40 (didn't want the JB to stick to it), and clamped it on the top side of the base plate. gave a good flat backing and made for a good mounting surface.

[freds40]

Because of where the mixer sits, it leaves a gap in the original Q-Jet mounting gasket. I talked with Cary and figured out that I could just use a bit of RTV since the LPG won't eat it up like gas would. Overlapped the gasket on both sides with the RTV, bolt it together, and it's done. Sweet setup, just sucks because so far this is all I've had time to install.

[Poohbair]

What kind of kit do you offer for a Toyota 22R?

[Propane]

We offer a kit specifically designed for the 22r. It is so easy to put on and works for years with no maintainance.

[JB Custom Fab.]

Great comparison!
Our next Bronco is going propane.
We will see you first!

[Goodyear61]

For some time I have been wanting to do this conversion to my Willys truck. It has a stock 1970's Corvette 350 in it w/ carter carb. I plan to use the truck as a driver, so I have two questions...

• Is this possable to use your kit for this application (Daily driving)?
• Will I be saving MPG over conventional gasoline?

I am mostly looking to save money of fuel. I am told this is possable without any power loss. Would love your feedback.

Nate
1961 Willys Pickup 4X4

[Propane]

Wow, this thread is old Things have changed since this thread first started. First, the X1-X450 is no longer. They went under almost 2 years ago during the so cal fires. I heard that their facilities might have been damaged and the owner was in her 90's. Second, propaneguy has also closed not sure why but Roy was a good guy. Third and lastly, I don't offer the kits without the throttle plate anymore but on the very bright side, I have been able to bring the price of a complete kit down to $1025 with full silicone diaphrams and new throttle plates.