960 volvo estate, good idea? or bad idea?

[zng109]

hello I was recently given a 1992 volvo 960 3 litre automatic estate.
well its lovely, air con eletric windows, heated seats, you name it its got it!
however it is a little thirsty.
now truth be known this car has sat in a car park for 2 years, few minor dents and bumps, but passed its MOT after a little tlc.
so please anyone in the know, please tell me A, how much they paid for their L.P.G conversion, rough idea on MPG
and B. as the car has sat for so long what would be a good idea to do to it before anything goes wrong.

[yoda960]

Sorry I cant answer any of your questions, however having read a few threads on the subject myself (I have a thirsty 960 myself) the wide consensus is that getting a conversion done is only really worth it if you are going to keep the car for a while and do a lot of mileage in it...

LPG prices might go up, availability etc are all things to think about. Plus if you do decide to sell before you get your moneys worth out of it, the conversion won't add a huge amount to the value of the car.

Sounds a bit negative - there will probably be some people along with the opposite view though

[Clan]

A very good point , Whilst LPG may be favourably priced now , there is nothing to stop it creeping up to a price similar to petrol .
In 1979-1985 volvo were doing a lot of LPG conversions in the UK on 244 245 and 343 carburettor cars which were very succesful , however by the end of the 1980s the price of LPG had risen enough to make it uneconomic to use let alone pay out for a new installation ..
If you are lucky enough to buy a volvo with LPG already you have a bonus , but paying out £1500 - £2000 for it needs serious thought .

[rippedoffagain]

I once used on online saving calculator to work out how much I'd save if I converted my old Vauxhall Cavalier to LPG. After asking about annual mileage etc, it came back with a result that I would save minus £700 by doing the conversion.

[davew]

My conversion cost £2100

On LPG I get 16.5 mpg.

On petrol I get 21mpg.

Price of LPG is 45.9 (where I fill up)
Petrol I think is about 88p

So at todays prices it will take, 33,000 miles to break even.

When I intialy got it converted it was 1.16 for petrol and 54 for LPG so would of got my money back within 21,000 miles.

So the general theme is, only do it if you are going to keep the car for at least say 30,000 - 40,000 miles.

And dont forget, you have to protect your investment. Any major mechanical problems you have to get sorted rather than selling the car quick, as you need to get your money back for the converstion.

[classicswede]

The 960 should not be converted using the old mixer ring set up as a backfire would blow the manifold off as it is held on with rubber coulpers.

We charge £1400 to convert a 960 with a spare wheel tank using the latest multi point injection system.

You do need to calculate your milage and and work out how long it would take you to start saving

[volvovic]

Can you please give me your thoughts on the best lpg system to put on a740 GL with a b230f, electronically injected engine.

[capt jack]

Best for a 740? Suggest, as you are in Donny, that you first try Central Garage at Carcroft.

tel: 01302 722282

They install a wide range of makes, and will give you the right advice.

Cheers

Jack

[volvovic]

Jack, thank you for your suggestion. However, I am in Doncaster Australia. I'm going to ring Central Garage because there are so few Volvo's on gas here of the vintage that I have that information is sparse. Below are photos of my setup so far. Simple mixer and an OMVL converter. The garage I use is excellent but no one can have the solution to every problem. So, I thank the forum for its imput.

Koule

[capt jack]

Oh No! I never realised there was another Doncaster - surely it has to be better than the original!

Good luck!

Jack