EPA certified CNG installations

[sebass17]

In Feb. I am having a vortec engine installed in my 77 fj40. I am interested in having a compressed natural gas conversion so I can cut down on my fuel costs. I have asked a few epa certified companies in Utah about installs and the prices have been 10,000 and up to install. Does anyone know of any companies in Utah or surrounding states that can install one of these EPA kits at a reasonable cost? Thank you for any suggestions.

 

[Jetboy]

I've been considering a cng conversion for my 96 4runner, but found it difficult to find any reasonably priced EPA system. My thought was just to convert it and run it on gasoline for the inspections. I doubt an inspector would ever know on an OBD2 computer as they don't ever open the hood. So long as the computer shows everything to be working correctly, I'd bet the wouldn't even know. However it would be nice to be EPA certified. Plus I found out that the state subsidies only apply to newer vehicles and it appears that the federal subsidies are dedicated cng only, and I'd like to stay bi-fuel.

Anyway, good luck. I'm interested to see what you find out.

 

[sebass17]

I spoke with a company out of St. George, Utah CNG Kits | Natural Gas Conversions | CNG Certification - CNG Outfitters: that could do a non-EPA kit for about 3500.00. They told me that I could change from gas to CNG with the flip of a switch. With my luck I would run into an a****** inspector that would open my hood and fail me, than I would be screwed. I want to do this conversion so bad cause cng in Utah is under 1.00 a gallon.

 

[lc69hunter]

Look in the alternative fuel area here. Lots of good info.

Also, FYI, the "bailout" bill that passed Oct 3, has a pretty healthy energy credit for placing a CNG refueling station in your garage or carport. I am considering the same.

Arizona DEQ just makes you get the a non-EPA certifed vehicle inspected by them, and then you still have to pass the emissions test with both fuels.

But you still get the benefit of reduced vehicle registration, and a plate that allows you to use the commuter lanes.

 

[Jetboy]

I spoke with a company out of St. George, Utah CNG Kits | Natural Gas Conversions | CNG Certification - CNG Outfitters: that could do a non-EPA kit for about 3500.00. They told me that I could change from gas to CNG with the flip of a switch. With my luck I would run into an a****** inspector that would open my hood and fail me, than I would be screwed. I want to do this conversion so bad cause cng in Utah is under 1.00 a gallon.

I live in Layton also. Utah has a great CNG network. I talked at length with an inspector about what they do and the CNG conversions. He essentially said they'd never know the difference so long as the computer didn't throw a code. All they do is plug it in and see if the computer shows all the sensors working right. They look at the tires and check the brakes on a skid pad. All in all it takes about 10 minutes. Anyway one of the guys at the shop worked for a while at a backyard cng conversion shop. He said the cheap kits don't get a good mix of fuel and often run super hot. They also didn't get nearly as good of mileage as the quality kits. The better kits I've seen use a intermediate computer, an extra full set of injectors and can switch between gas and CNG with a switch. Effectively they use all the cars sensors and the ecu but cut power to the fuel pump and injectors when running on cng. They also advance the timing a bit as natural gas has a higher octane. That may be where some of the heat problems are coming from.

It kinda seems like bull s*** to me that you can run 95% cleaner at the tail pipe and fail because you don't have the EPA certification.

If I were to do my 4runner i'd keep the duel fuel system so I could run gas. I like to take it out to southern Utah and there's just no real alternative to using gas cans for extra fuel.

 

[sebass17]

CNG conversion

 

[sebass17]

Thanks Utah state government

I just found out that in Utah if you have had a non EPA certified CNG installation than you cannot get your car registered. This has effected thousands of people in Utah that have had this non EPA certified kit installed. Also in Utah there is going to be a tax of .70 tacked on to every gallon of natural gas you buy. It sounds to me like the government doesn't want anyone to have natural gas vehicles anymore. Anyway, I was seriously considering getting a CNG install, now it just doesn't seem worth it. So much for trying to help the smog issue in Utah. CNG Utah - Specializing in Natural Gas Cars, Trucks, and Vans There is video on this web site that explains the EPA install issue.