2LTE 14 pd boost, snorkel, propane injection, test run.

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crushers

post ho
Joined
Feb 10, 2004
Threads
444
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22,225
Location
Derwent Alberta
this is my wife's daily driver-weekend warrior LJ78.
http://www.luxuryimports.ca/forsale/1990LJ78SX5-1/index.php
at this time it has 84,000 km on it. the last 8000 km has been daily driving back and forth to work, trips to Edmonton at 120 +, and about 8 off roading trips at about 8 - 12 hours of wheeling per run. all the fluids and filters have been changed out as well as the timing belt and rad repaired.
okay so much for the history of the unit.

the purpose of this unit is to be reliable transportation and a long term test unit for whatever ideas I can dream up.
I have read and heard and seen the results of the head gasket failing, heads cracking, and my first valve guide bushing letting go. this is sad since these trucks make great daily drivers/highway cruisers. extremely comfortable and tons of room inside and very very capable off road even in bone stock condition. so the first piece of business was to see if I could get the EGTs down from ridiculously high on even the gentlest of grades to something a person can live by.
first was the exhaust work:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=71679&highlight=2lt+exhaust
this dropped the EGTs about 50F-200F

next I installed a snorkel, since no makes a kit for the LJ78 i decided to do some mods and make one work. it is a basic bolt on kit with mods to the air box. the one i use for the LJ71 is a different part number.

i also increased the boost to 14 lbs, this is one of 4 2LT/2LTE that are running around Alberta with this boost (2 of them have been for well over a year, both of them are daily/long distance commuters). I did a quick short run and I could not get the EGTs to 1000F no matter how hard I drove the rig.

Finally I did propane injection, more for power than anything else. I wanted a door mounted tank so I could use the propane for both power increase and to run heater or a cook top when on a putz somewhere. the results were fantastic to say the least. we did a 300 km run yesterday, driving back roads along the foot hills. the acceleration is no 13BT but definitely more comfortable and manageable. the hills disappeared quicker, it accelerated quicker, NO black smoke and EGTs that never went over 900F (so far). the fuel could use some tweaking to see what can be done but at this time I am quite happy.

now I need to get on that solid fan to see if this will eliminate the over heating off road. I never did any off roading unless you call a 5 minute run back to a valley and back...

if anyone is interested I can post pics of the snorkel install or the tank mount.

cheers and thanks for following along.
 
i will try and get these posted today or tomorrow...
Craig, you are more than welcome to stop by and do a visual...
Robin, you gotta take this thing for a boot when youa re up in this neck of the woods...
cheers
 
Wayne,

Would the snorkel alone have any effect on EGT's? Just curious.
 
i am not sure if it does or not, i put it on because i wanted to try and see if i could get one to fit properly.
i could drop back down to 7 psi and see if the snorkel has any cooling effect.
cheers
 
that sounds like an awesome project truck...
 
yah, it has been fun...
i kept the propane off for a test run today... what a difference.
mind you my wife says "i didn't have any complaints the way it was"...
women just don't understand i guess...
 
what is the approx cost of adding propane ?
 
hill said:
what is the approx cost of adding propane ?
this setup cost me about $1000 with out any labour...
including the kit, tank, plumbing, rear door carrier.
cheers
 
Tapage said:
How you calibrate the shot Wayne . ? segs .. ? is automatic .. or manual activated . ?
it is automaticly controled by boost, you preset when you want the propane to come on and then once the boost is at that point it opens the valve gradually. the flow of propane starts at 1 cfm and maxes at 2 cfm. this way you can definately feel the pull but no rattle occures.
it really is a sweet set up, now i can not wait to try the turbo PZJ70 i have here...
time is holding me back...
cheers
 
For those interested in an engineers take and FAQ on dual fuel propogation read this: http://www.eng-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=1147

I've one of these kits that will make it into Poo and it's 13BT as a test...one day.

gb
 
interesting reading, now explain to me why the EGTs actually go down when running this system i use. it is boost and flow controlled so the flow is a steady increase in power unlike the bullydog system which dumps the fuel at the flip of a switch.
i am not defending the kit, i am trying to understand why this engineer is making the statements he is when my results are contrary to what he is stating...
 
crushers said:
interesting reading, now explain to me why the EGTs actually go down when running this system i use. it is boost and flow controlled so the flow is a steady increase in power unlike the bullydog system which dumps the fuel at the flip of a switch.
i am not defending the kit, i am trying to understand why this engineer is making the statements he is when my results are contrary to what he is stating...

Without further thought other then the quick comments that follow this sentence, I don't know Wayne. The larger exhaust, increased boost, and fresh air from outside, all before the addition of propane probably had something to do with it.

Why don't you join that forum and ask him...

Here are some further threads:

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=7832
http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=24712

This is the main forum and provides some very intersting reading on ideas and results if one has the time to spend. http://www.eng-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=71&page=1

It's not that I do not like propane Wayne. I will be installing that kit on Poo at some point. It will be installed with the idea that a little goes a long way, and that there is no free ride; If I am adding more fuel to the cylinder, and producing more power...the tradeoff will be longevity. Propane could well be a welcome addition to someones plan for their engine. It is not a panacea though.

If you want, I can start a completly new thread on Propane and Diesels, then remove these posts from your thread, so it does not get cluttered with your build...

gb
 
some interesting points from "Franz":

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=7832

"The addition of propane decreases the air BUT increases the combustion temperature and pressure, resulting in increased NOx and HC’s, but at slightly decreased PM (more fuel, less diesel, higher temps, equal power at a lower throttle setting.)"

"The propane tank in the bed of a truck is possibly the strongest item on the vehicle, excluding the engine block and possibly the frame members. The have an excellent safety history, far greater than either diesel or gasoline."

"In its place, propane can be excellent benefit to diesel engines, but with the proper use and ratios."

"One item that seems to be overlooked is that when a gaseous fueled engine goes lean, the exhaust temps also LOWER, and when the mixture goes rich, the temps RAISE. "
 
interesting quotes from "franz":

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=24712


"As for the diesel injection, I never said that it would NOT produce more power, it will, but that it MUST be used carefully."

"Adding extra propane will NOT cool the combustion temps as there is no evaporative effect, and since it is a vapor, there is little heat absorption by the fuel."


"If some company wants to step up to the plate and offer a sealed tamper-proof system that has OEM support and backing, has full EPA testing with a valid certification, AND a warranty, you will find me in the front row, leading the cheers! Until then, I will be a critic."
 
Greg_B said:
It's not that I do not like propane Wayne. I will be installing that kit on Poo at some point. It will be installed with the idea that a little goes a long way, and that there is no free ride; If I am adding more fuel to the cylinder, and producing more power...the tradeoff will be longevity. Propane could well be a welcome addition to someones plan for their engine. It is not a panacea though.
gb
i never meant to say this was a cure all, to me i do it for fun and power. if it has other side benefits then great. i run the propane so it does not :rattle: the engine (some of the guys quited in the links talk about rattle. to me rattle = bad)
i like the pull, i like the drivability. that is all. i do not do it for a cleaner burning engine or for fuel milage, i do it so the engine runs smoother and pulls harder when the propane is engaged. for me one of the side effects is a cooler running engine which is contrary to what Franz says. i kinda like this guy, he takes a stand opposite to what most believe. a bit of a pompass ass but i can see he knows his stuff and is willing to create a debate based on his experiences.

night.
 
crushers said:
it is automaticly controled by boost, you preset when you want the propane to come on and then once the boost is at that point it opens the valve gradually. the flow of propane starts at 1 cfm and maxes at 2 cfm. this way you can definately feel the pull but no rattle occures.
it really is a sweet set up, now i can not wait to try the turbo PZJ70 i have here...
time is holding me back...
cheers

Besides droping the EGT .. you feel more power .. ?
 
definitely more power, usually 3 sec off the 0-100 time. i will test this out on the LJ78 next time i am driving it. it isn't a race horse by any stretch but definitely more fun to drive.
cheers
 

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