131mirafiori forum

Subito again  ;)

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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  ;)

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 ;)

(http://www.oelprinz-online.de/images/w126/w126-00.jpg)

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 :-\

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.

Hee Robert,

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

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.

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

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!

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.