I have a 31'Class C on an '01 Ford E450 with a 7.3 diesel. I am considering installing a propane injection system to improve mileage. I would use either an ATS or a Bully Dog. Has anyone made this installation, or had any experience with this setup? Any hepl or direction will be appreciated.

Sounds like an interesting project.

Are you projecting this installation will save you money or is it something you just want to tinker around with? If it's a money saving venture, what sort of 'payback' miles do you expect on the equipment investment and additional propane fuel expense?

I knew a fellow that did the propane injection on his 7.3L Expy and he wound up buying a rather expensive rebuild. I don't think I would try it unless you plan to look at a new engine soon.

Kne

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TXiceman,

Food for thought

A couple of years ago we had to call a propane dealer to our campsite because of a leaking tank. I noticed his service truck was diesel powered rather than a propane fueled gas engine. I asked why given he could buy propane at wholesale prices he didn't use it in his own Ford F550 truck.
His reply was that propane didn't have enough BTU's to make it practical. They had tried it on 2 trucks for 2 years as a test. Even at wholesale prices they were spending more money per mile for propane than for diesel.

The pice of both propane and diesel have gone up considerably since then. It's possible the propane might be more cost effective now, but I would certainly check it out before spending a bunch of cash on a propane system.

go to TheDieselStop. A few folks over there have done it.

The OP is not talking about running his diesel on propane like some gassers do. Propane injection on a diesel puts a propane vapor into the intake. It acts as a catalyst with the diesel fuel causing a slower burn similar to increasing the cetane numbers. There is zero doubt that the system can produce more power. The propane control computer only admits propane after a preset boost pressure is reached. Some of the systems are adjustable and this can lead to trouble. If left at a nice, conservative setting, it is perfectly safe. Say a 50 HP increase. However, after getting a 50 HP kick in the pants, folks get greedy and keep upping the propane delivery. Sooner or later, at around 500+ HP and 700 lbs/ft of torque, the powdered rods in the PSD will let go. I don't know how much the Dodge and Chevy will take.

As for mileage, it seems ya just about break even. But that is breaking even with 50 more horses. :-) You can't use an RV type propane tank. The proper tanks are pretty pricey. The system can be turned on and off from the dash, so ya might just liven things up for towing and turn it off around town.

i think i would first consider a good programmer to get a little extra mileage,

the down side is it will also give you a few extra ponies and you just can't get carried away and start hotrodding which will decrease your mileage,

i like tuners because you can get multi position tuners that can be set for varying driving conditions,

on my 7.3 with different positions on my current DP tuner for some driving conditions i have set up the tranny with additional line pressure for towing, fuel flow at varying requirements, locking the TC at different mph's ...

and its cheap to install

Last post jogged my memory a bit.

Econoline/E350/E450 Powerstrokes are not intercooled, like their pickup truck brothers. That's why the rated power is lower. An intercooler would be something I'd have high on my upgrade list.