Hello,
yes I do have direct experince of LS430 LPG conversion. I have a 2004 LS430 that I bought specifically so I could do the conversion and enjoy cheap/luxury motoring. here's a previous posting with my earlier views:
_____________________________________________________________
I've just done an LPG conversion on my 2004 LS430.
I've now done 1000 miles so have had the initial 'tweaking' service. here's what I found:
Had a BRC multipoint system installed by P&T Autos in Macclesfield
Cost £1850 + VAT
Installed the biggest toroidal tank that would fit in place of spare wheel - I think we got a 69 l tank in there (which gives an effective capacity of 55 ish litres of gas)
Because I did not want to drill through body panels for the fuel filler I went for the older filler system that requires less hacking - so I have the old 'square' cover but it's installed in the bumper so no panel damage. I need to use one of those brass adapters for fill-up, but it's no hardship.
Fuel economy has suffered by just over 20%, which is more than I expected. I've gone from exactly 27 mpg to exactly 21mpg - comparable driving so I think that the figures are reliable. Effective lpg tank range is between 250 and 300 miles (plus of course the petrol is still there too, so total range is pretty huge)
System switches from petrol to gas completely seamlessly and I really can't spot any difference at all on power and driveability. I'm told that power drops, but I really can't tell as I drive the car pretty 'normally'.
So in summary (so far)
Pluses:
- cheap to fill up
- cheaper road tax
- feeling smug
- new 'green' credentials (lpg is a waste product of oil refining)
Minuses
- full economy worse than I'd been led to expect (which does affect the economics of doing the conversion)
range is only 250-300 miles per tank (doesn't really bother me)
- fewer gas stations than I'd hoped - I thought all motorway stations had lpg. They don't !
- car needs more servicing lpg components every 12000 miles, plus normal car service)
- expense of conversion
Would I do it again. Yes, but would want to study the economics more carefully now that i know how much the fuel economy suffers - it makes a surprising difference to the paypack period
___________________________________________________
Now done about 6000 miles.
- Average fuel economy dropped from 27 average (pertrol) to 21.3 average (LPG)
- driveablity between petrol and lpg is identical
- fewer lpg stations than i had hoped - seemingly only 50% of motorway service stations have it, and obviously much fewer normal petrol stations - Shell seems to be best bet though. Only twice in the last 6000 miles have I had to resort to using petrol only though not being able to find any lpg. Once in Cornwall, once in Republic of Ireland (where LPG is much more expensive anyway)
- had to fill up my little subsidiary oiler bottle once (you MUST get the oiler system fitted if you do a Lexus conversion - you'll get serious engine wear without it and that will be expensive !)
- applied for and received road tax reduction - saving a whopping £9.50 per year ! It was a pain in the nexk to go through this so you might decide not to bother.
Now that novelty of having LPG has worn off, it just seems like a normal car, but cheaper to run