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I recently contacted Gavin Short who has previously posted on this forum about his long term experience of using a Saab 9000 which had been converted to run on LPG. Gavin kindly responded with a wonderful detailed answer which I think is worth displaying here.
Gavin's Response
The 9000 I had then was a '93 9000 2.3 CSE Auto. The Landi Renzo
installation had been put in by a previous owner. It was my first time with
LPG and got a lpg specialist to check it over. I had to get some remedial
work done on the tank location and the mounting of the vaporiser. It ran
like a dream. Auto box and gas seem to work very well. I only got rid of
it because after the head was changed after experiencing some corrosion
problems (not lpg related - previous owner running it without
anti-freeze!!!!) my mechanic could never get the timing chain timing right.
It didn't owe us anything so we sold it at action.
That was in late 2003 and we bought a '93 9000 2.3 lpt Anniversary model. I
had this converted to lpg (tank in the boot). My wife runs it now. This
particular set up sounds a bit lumpy on tick over on gas. Later versions of
the lpg kit solve this (it is sequential injection. but drives very well.
The only niggle with this particular set up is that it hasn't disabled the
'spark plug cleaning function' and if you switch the engine off whilst
running on gas you will get a small 'crump' as the residual gas in the
bores is burnt off. Easily solved by flicking back to petrol and switching
off.
After the experiences of the first lpg SAAB we had our long term '89 900S
16V converted to lpg at 120,000 miles and sold it on at 240,000 miles. That
one had a 120l tank and would go for 50 miles between fill ups.
I did consider other tank options, but because both SAAB 900 and 9000 models
have a space saver a doughnut tank wouldn't provide much capacity.
I did think of lpg tanks in lieu of the petrol tank but the options weren't
very numerous a few years ago and the expense would have increased markedly
(not for the tank but for the extra labour). The '89 900 set up coat £1300
+VAT the '98 9000 set up cost £1550 + VAT.
Lpg tanks in lieu of 4x4 petrol tanks are much more common and are cost
effective. Whether there is a suitable set up for the 9000 at the moment I
don't know.
As for loss of space - we have got used to it. The 9000 boot is huge. With
a bit of careful packing you can 4 persons plus luggage for a summer holiday
in Denmark or Belgium with out too much problems. (recent lpg price in
Brussels last week was 34.5 euro cents a litre).
You may have noticed that I haven't been posting on the bulletin board
recently. a) Because I am in Belgium and my wife is driving the SAAB in UK
most of the time. b) All it needs is routine servicing. The lpg system
isn't an issue.
Recently during a service our local specialist (Chris Hamley, Yelverton,
Devon)commented that the turbo boost pressure was low. It has been adjusted
and a bleed valve kit (£50 + VAT in parts) has been fitted which brings the
performance up to Full turbo standard and beyond (lpg is about 106-108
octane rating). You can achieve some very fast continental cruising with
this set up!
If you a going for an lpg conversion I offer 6 pieces of advice:
1. Pick a installer who is reasonably local (you will have to take it back after running it for a short while to get it checked/adjusted after the initial installation and the occasional check over).
2. Ensure that you get a certificate of conformity for your insurers.
3. Find an installer who doesn't shy away from turbos and knows what he is doing.
4. Find one that has preferably converted the same car that you are getting converted (so he is experienced).
5. Think through the fitting options carefully (tanks - your are obviously doing this - go for the biggest you can) and filler (mine is in the bodywork in the double skinned panel (outer is plastic ) below the rear lamp cluster. The installer has to know what he is doing here and the hose has to be the triple walled type for safety (otherwise you could have lpg leaks into the car!). This will make filling easy (and wife friendly) rather than groping about with a muddy/dirty rear valance in the dark on a wet winter's night when you have got decent clothes on!.
6. Keep the car for as long a time as possible so that you recoup your investment.
I hope that is useful.
Final answer - if I have another petrol car - yes I will convert it to lpg.
posted by 202.7.166...
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