Nice looking 131 on LPG

[mirafioriman]

Subito again 

http://www.subito.it/auto/fiat-131-1600-tc-asi-gpl-modena-21682419.htm

[djape1977]

how come that ypu guys in UK and Eire don't use LPG? southern and eastern europe are using it for decades...

[mirafioriman]

We do but it's never really taken off for some reason.

[djape1977]

what's the price of LPG unit, for 131, and what's the price of fuel?
in my corner of europe it's around 300e and 0.6e/liter

[mirafioriman]

LPG is a similiar price to yours, but generally conversion costs more which is what puts most people off I think. My 130 is on LPG but was converted before I bought it.

[djape1977]

oh well, wages are much higher in UK so it's fair that conversion costs more. still, strange that more people don't use it with fuel beeing half the price of petrol

[mirafiori76]

Maybe the fact of losing space in the back and 8 to 10 % loss of power is an issue. I know it is for me 

[Robert]

I have a Mercedes 420SE running on LPG, fuel costs of this big V8 sedan can be compared to a small VW Lupo or similar, and losing some of the 224 horsepowers is definitely not an issue, there's enough left in any case

[mirafiori76]

But for a standard 131 with upmost 115 bhp it can more of an issue.

I have a Benz on lpg myself with (once new) 184 bhp. Terrible

[Robert]

Saved me 5000 Euros on gas in 3 1/2 years and 100000 kms. That's an issue! And anyway, there's a rigid speed limit in the Netherlands, so why bother about performance? Or is it about acceleration - well, any modern TDI with its monster torque will outrun any 131, including Abarth, that's for sure, be it in acceleration or top speed - so, most street races will see the 131 as CL (Constant Loser)  . Also, there's a better weight distribution with a gas bottle in the trunk. Picture is from a driver's training, on the skid pad; car handled not worse than standard cars. I agree with losing space in the trunk, but only with a cylinder tank installed; with a tank in the spare wheel compartment this is also neglectable.

Bottom line is: if I'd use a 131 as a daily driver, I'd buy this one with the LPG unit installed.

[mirafiori76]

Hee Robert,

Where would you put the spare wheel? On the bonnet, like aLand Rover?

[Robert]

On the trunk, like on Pover P6?  Would be an idea. However, I know lots of guys who do not carry a spare wheel anymore, but sprays for emergency tire repairs. I myself am too oldfashioned for this, I still do have a spare wheel (and a cylinder tank). And, considering the fact that I had only one flat tire in the last 10 years with Mercedes and one with Alfa, on around 300000 kms, I think I am too cautious.

[mirafiori76]

  Don't tempt faith. You can have a flat tire easely tomorrow. I once had three in one week with my Panorama.

[djape1977]

you can always use small spare from punto, bravo or some other newer fiat. it takes a bit less space in trunk.
power loss is something you hardly notice in everyday driving since you don't use more than 50% of the engine power in everyday driving anyway. that is if you obey speed limits. when you decide not to obey, just switch back to petrol and viola!

[Tas131]

My 131 runs on LPG. It's gas only, so the petrol tank was removed and I mounted the cylinder in it's place. It does take up a bit more room than the petrol tank, but I don't put much in the boot anyway, so it's irrelevant. As to performance, it doesn't go as hard as my earlier 2 litre that had twin IDFs, but it does go harder than a 2 litre with a stock carb. When the oil price was up around $150 US, our federal government offered a $2000 rebate to get LPG fitted to vehicles, so my conversion had me out of pocket to the tune of $300. I easily recouped the cost in the first 6 months.