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06-13-2008, 11:45 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 6
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I have a 31'Class C on an '01 Ford E450 with a 7.3 diesel. I am considering installing a propane injection system to improve mileage. I would use either an ATS or a Bully Dog. Has anyone made this installation, or had any experience with this setup? Any hepl or direction will be appreciated.
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06-13-2008, 11:45 AM
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#2
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 6
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I have a 31'Class C on an '01 Ford E450 with a 7.3 diesel. I am considering installing a propane injection system to improve mileage. I would use either an ATS or a Bully Dog. Has anyone made this installation, or had any experience with this setup? Any hepl or direction will be appreciated.
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06-13-2008, 12:31 PM
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#3
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Administrator in Memoriam
Appalachian Campers
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Buladean, NC
Posts: 8,126
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Sounds like an interesting project.
Are you projecting this installation will save you money or is it something you just want to tinker around with? If it's a money saving venture, what sort of 'payback' miles do you expect on the equipment investment and additional propane fuel expense?
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'11 GMC Acadia SLT AWD
'11 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Extended Cab
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06-13-2008, 01:04 PM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,948
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I knew a fellow that did the propane injection on his 7.3L Expy and he wound up buying a rather expensive rebuild. I don't think I would try it unless you plan to look at a new engine soon.
Kne
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Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
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06-14-2008, 10:20 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,968
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Food for thought
A couple of years ago we had to call a propane dealer to our campsite because of a leaking tank. I noticed his service truck was diesel powered rather than a propane fueled gas engine. I asked why given he could buy propane at wholesale prices he didn't use it in his own Ford F550 truck.
His reply was that propane didn't have enough BTU's to make it practical. They had tried it on 2 trucks for 2 years as a test. Even at wholesale prices they were spending more money per mile for propane than for diesel.
The pice of both propane and diesel have gone up considerably since then. It's possible the propane might be more cost effective now, but I would certainly check it out before spending a bunch of cash on a propane system.
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Hikerdogs
2013 Adventurer 32H
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06-16-2008, 06:15 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Somewhere in the lower 48
Posts: 2,308
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go to TheDieselStop. A few folks over there have done it.
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John, Joyce and Zoie (our 17# Guard Dog)
2018 Ford F-450 KR / 2019 Mobile Suites 40KSSB4
Fulltiming since 2008 and loving it
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07-15-2008, 10:46 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 78
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The OP is not talking about running his diesel on propane like some gassers do. Propane injection on a diesel puts a propane vapor into the intake. It acts as a catalyst with the diesel fuel causing a slower burn similar to increasing the cetane numbers. There is zero doubt that the system can produce more power. The propane control computer only admits propane after a preset boost pressure is reached. Some of the systems are adjustable and this can lead to trouble. If left at a nice, conservative setting, it is perfectly safe. Say a 50 HP increase. However, after getting a 50 HP kick in the pants, folks get greedy and keep upping the propane delivery. Sooner or later, at around 500+ HP and 700 lbs/ft of torque, the powdered rods in the PSD will let go. I don't know how much the Dodge and Chevy will take.
As for mileage, it seems ya just about break even. But that is breaking even with 50 more horses. :-) You can't use an RV type propane tank. The proper tanks are pretty pricey. The system can be turned on and off from the dash, so ya might just liven things up for towing and turn it off around town.
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07-16-2008, 06:25 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2001
Location: NV
Posts: 2,065
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i think i would first consider a good programmer to get a little extra mileage,
the down side is it will also give you a few extra ponies and you just can't get carried away and start hotrodding which will decrease your mileage,
i like tuners because you can get multi position tuners that can be set for varying driving conditions,
on my 7.3 with different positions on my current DP tuner for some driving conditions i have set up the tranny with additional line pressure for towing, fuel flow at varying requirements, locking the TC at different mph's ...
and its cheap to install
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F350 PSD 4x4 SRW, BanksBrake, FOX res shocks, MagHytec, DP tuner, JohnWood tranny;
ChrisCraft Launch VP8.1 ;
3 hound dogs
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07-17-2008, 05:16 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Motor City, Mich
Posts: 3,369
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Last post jogged my memory a bit.
Econoline/E350/E450 Powerstrokes are not intercooled, like their pickup truck brothers. That's why the rated power is lower. An intercooler would be something I'd have high on my upgrade list.
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Tim.
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