Propane...

[Mazda Ebrahimi]

DemonTSi at aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 97-02-21 21:19:03 EST, you write:
> 
> << It depends on your application.  Can you describe what you are doing? >>
> 
> Well...I would run this on a turbocharged street car...I've heard a lot of
> talk about the rotary guys doing it...and I've heard of a few people running
> propane on their street cars also...so I was wondering what kidna of work is
> involved with such a conversion...

It depends on how involved you want to get.  It can be as simple as a 
bolt on propane carburetor / regulator package, or as complex as a 
liquid fuel injection, etc.  The engine itself doesn't need any 
modifications (as long as you have hardened valve seats, which you need 
for unleaded gasoline anyway).  You can run higher boost or higher CR or 
a combination of both, but be careful, because it will eventually knock 
(it is not magic potion!).

Knowing just what you described, I would recommend buing some IMPCO 
carburetor components to start with.  They are simple and cheap to start 
with, and allow you to work out the bugs in the rest of the system.  
With the IMPCO, you would introduce the fuel before the turbo, so pay 
particular attention to a well designed blow-off valve in case of 
backfires!
With the fuel tank, carburetor, regulator, fuel lines, etc. you are 
looking at about $800 or so to be up and running.

Best Regards, Mazda