aperrett

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

All, I have a 2004 LS430 (facelifted model) which I've only had a short time. It's going to need new tyres soon so I want to ask for recommendations form other users. Currently has yokohama 245/45 ZR18 96Y tyres, but I'm not very impressed with them (although poss much of this is down to the fact that they need replacing soon): - seem very noisy (which I really notice because the car itself is so quiet) - wriggle around on the road over uneven surfaces/tramline I need to do the fronts first (which is where most of the noise seems to come from, plus obviously the steering wriggle) Can anyone recommend a tyre to use ? Ta ever so ....

I've just posted an update on my LS430 conversion somewhere else in the forums - try searching for it. In summary I would recommend so far (only done 1000 miles, so can't vouch for longevity yet). Fuel economy suffers by 23% in my case, so factor that into your maths, but at 55k miles per year you'll pay back in under 12 months anyway. you MUST make sure you get an oiler kit fitted since all jap cars have soft valve seats which wear excessively with lpg (much 'drier' fuel)

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

I am considering converting my 2004 LS430 to run on LPG - calculated a significant fuel saving were I to do this I have done some homework myself (costs, tank location etc) but wanted to start asking other members for their experiences since I can believe I'm the only one considering it It seems that the best tank to use is a toriodal tank replacing the spare wheel (it takes a whopping 95 L so should get about the same range as with the existing petrol tank. You need to carry a tyre foam inflator in case you get a puncture. Also I am told that all jap engines require an auxilliary lubrication system to cope with LPG (which is much 'dryer' than petrol) and can cause valve seat wear otherwise. Apparently Jap engines do not use hardened vale seats (other manufacturers do, so this additional lube is not required). Cost of a good quality install seems to be around £2k and takes a week (I've been advised to avoid those companies who say they can do it "in a day" - it's quite a big job). Does anyone have other considerations to add to this. What I really want to know is whether anyopne has done it and what teh real-life effects were