New Fuel-LPG

[dolphusraymond]

I'm sure that the devs are sick of hearing about new fuel requests, but I think that LPG/propane would actually be a really reasonable addition to the game at its current stage. LPG has been in use in on-road vehicles since at least the 1940s, and was actually really popular for American over-the-road truckers in the oil crises of 1971 and 1973. Even until the mid 2000s, many engines, notably the GM Vortec 6000 and 8100 series, were designed to be ready for the addition of an LPG system.

As far as how it would actually be implemented, engines designed to use LPG often don't really differ much from engines designed to use regular gasoline, except that they tend to run slightly hotter and are a little worse performing in my experience (Ford 300 cubic inch inline 6). The only major design differences are that the valves are hardened and the obvious addition of the LPG injector/venturi/whatever specific injection method is chosen. Notably, with an octane rating of 134, it doesn't require a lowered compression ratio and the engine can, in almost all cases, continue to burn gasoline as well as LPG.

Anyway, I'd like to hear thoughts on this idea.

[Pleb]

Contrary to a lot of suggestions I read from newer people to the forum, I actually like this idea. I think it could introduce some interesting tactics for designing different kinds of cars.

[dolphusraymond]

I was thinking more it could expand on campaign mode. If gasoline prices suddenly shoot up, having a vehicle that can burn relatively cheap propane may make it more attractive to customers.

[Daffyflyer]

This I'd say is a "Yes, but not right now" sort of idea. I think it'd be useful and add gameplay value eventually, but we REALLY need to focus on finishing the core game first.

[RobtheFiend]

I read an article about some guy in the US that modded his 16-wheeler to run on LPG. (Apparently they often remove the mufflers, as the big diesel engines get some extra power from this.)
But with the LPG system, the engine was so much louder than on diesel, that he had to put the mufflers back on. The engine was more powerful anyway.

Anyone with access to a car(petrol) that has been modified for LPG, and can compare to a stock engine, to see if the loudness issue is a factor in petrol engines as well?

[dolphusraymond]

I read an article about some guy in the US that modded his 16-wheeler to run on LPG. (Apparently they often remove the mufflers, as the big diesel engines get some extra power from this.)
But with the LPG system, the engine was so much louder than on diesel, that he had to put the mufflers back on. The engine was more powerful anyway.


Anyone with access to a car(petrol) that has been modified for LPG, and can compare to a stock engine, to see if the loudness issue is a factor in petrol engines as well?

He probably didn't disable the diesel. What those engines normally use is a cocombustion system in which propane is added with the incoming air charge. This is ignited by a tiny injection event in which a small amount of diesel (1%) is injected into the cylinder to start combustion.

And Daffyflyer, I totally understand that. Y'all are doing a kickass job with this game, and I'm excited to see where this goes.

[RobtheFiend]

I didn't write that in a good way.
He had removed the mufflers so that the engine would be powerful enough to get up a certain steep road without needing to down-shift.
When he later put the LPG system on the engine, to reduce running costs, he had to re-attach the mufflers because the engine was louder than before.

That is what i was asking about. Does LPG or LNG make the engine louder? Can someone compare two identical cars with the same engine, one stock and the other running LPG/LNG?

[Daffyflyer]

I used to own a dual fuel (Petrol/LPG) Ford Falcon. It didn't sound any different on either fuel.