I have been wondering about that my self. I know there are generic kits to convert vehicles to CNG or LPG. I want to say the "equivalent" cost is .75-1 per gallon.

 

spike you make a really valid point.

 

If you read my posts you would understand that I have been thinking about doing a swap for some time in my rover. I would be going diesel, most likely using the om617. There are reports of others using this very engine and being able to get around 24mpg... course your not going to be doing 80 anywhere... The Om617 is a basically bullet proof engine. Maintained it's a true million mile plus engine. I have both a non turbo version (in my 81) and a turbo version (in my 85). In those cars I get 27mpg in the non turbo, and 33 in the turbo. The parts for the engines are dirt cheap and plentiful, whole engines with turbo ready to run can be found for 400 bucks. Whole cars ready to run for just a little more. I have not paid over 1000 for any of my 3 and use them as daily drivers. I would do the swap only in an otherwise perfect truck that I was planning on keeping. By keeping I mean for the next 20 years. (which I have done with other vehicles.) Only then does it really make sense to do it. I only want to do the job once, and get it right the first time. That cost money. Before I dropped an Om617, I would spend the money and take the time to have it totally rebuilt to new. as with anything else that went along with the build. I would expect to pay in the 10k range for all this on a good day. But, I would be looking at it different as in what could I buy for that 10k that would fit me better or give me more usefulness and enjoyment. Being in my mid 40's the whole speed thing is long past me. give me something that will go 65... even in a 75 and I'm just fine with that.

I don't off road, other than to take my truck out to get photography, or to get out of my driveway when it snows. (which isn't often here in Georgia).

I also would not put an engine in and do all this work that required me to have to use computers to make the engine stay running. I like all mechanical. Another bonus of the om617.

You already have a buick engine in there, so as far as that goes swapping in another buick engine should in theory be the easiest swap. I have no Idea what the different of the mounting to the zf transmission would be if any. I'm also not sure what the power gain, or torque loss would be. (The 215 you have is very good in low end torgue) I honestly think the rover engine itself is fine...it the gems management that makes it a pain in the ***. Well, that and the fact that they never figured out how to make seals actually seal in 40+ years of building them.

here's a LONG thread about the om617 swap into a rover... as far as I can tell only a small handful of people have actually done this.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=852955

For that mater they have a dedicated rover section for swapping just about anything into the rover...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=26

Here's the thread about using a 3.8...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=203553

Point is, LOTS of people want to do something different, make this truck dance... but few do. The reality is for most, once you start really doing the math, it's much cheaper to build up a jeep and your not reinventing the wheel to do it.

 

what abot an electric motor with a small 5-10 hp engine to run power steering and alternators to charge the batteries. A true hybrid. would be great off road electric motors have full torque from 1 rpm all the way up.

 

Here's a little I have found on the LPG conversion, something I have considered myself.

2005 LPG Discovery Series 2
Printed for Ian <info@v8engines.com> 1
Land Rover Discovery Series II (4.0 litre) LPG conversion details and prices.
Magnecor Plug Leads £75.00 www.v8engines.com/electrics-2.htm
Romano direct injection system.
Any RPi stock 80, 100 or 120 litre cylinder tank. All 4 hole quick fill with electronic shut off
solenoid and highest standard of bracketing. All 67R01 Approved.
Self fit £1450.00
Fitted £2100.00
or 80 litre Ellipsoid (underneath) tank and 8 gallon ancillary petrol tank
Self fit £1800.00
Fitted £2525.00
Other useful LPG links and information pages to visit
www.v8engines.com/faq-lpg.htm - Our LPG web section.
www.v8engines.com/downloads.htm - Our most up to date brochures etc can be found here.
www.v8dualfuel.com/filling_stations.html - LPG station locator.
All prices are exclusive of VAT.

 

Even rover like the way you think...

Land Rover has announced that its first hybrid model will arrive in 2013. Also revealed is the Range_e prototype, based on the Range Rover Sport that demonstrates how hybrid technology will be put to work on the same sport platform.
The company is due to launch its overhauled new generation of large Land Rovers in 2013 and has chosen the same year to offer the diesel-electric hybrid. The tests on the new car are said to begin this fall. The first to use the hybrid technology will be the Range Rover Sport, with the Discovery and the classic Range Rover to follow.
According to Car Magazine, both a gasoline hybrid and a diesel hybrid are being planned, but the latter tops the priority list currently. This is because Land Rover engineers feel that a gasoline hybrid should be quite easy once the more complex diesel hybrid has been completed. The Range_e, the sport-ute is most likely to feature a 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine, a 25 kW/34 hp electric motor, and an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. It is said that the cars will be 110 kilograms heavier than standard models, but Land Rover is said to be working upon putting lightweight aluminium tech in use for the 2013 Range Rovers.
Additionally Land Rover has a special project for 2015 that is a plug-in hybrid LR. According to Peter Richings, the plug-in hybrid Range Rover will enable you to drive “at least 20 miles on full electric power around town, emissions of less than 100g/km and speeds of up to 70 mph in EV mode.”

 

Wait now were talking about converting a gas motor to run on Compressed Natural Gas? I've seen that done in crawler Yotas and Sammys but not in something like that and what is LPG? What would be a pro of running CNG? Is it cheaper, does it last longer? It would certainly be lighter I'd think than a tank of gas.

Ngarover
I agree on the 330d those are amazing pieces of what a quality engine should be. If mercedes still built motors like that they'd rule the auto industry. My cousin has one in Asheville he found and it was used as an ambulance in another life. He uses the slide out rack from the wagon as a desk and shelf for his storage bins as a lock smith. It Has at least 400,000 miles on it and all he does is change oil. I think he paid 2k for it. Sounds like a sewing machine.

 

tweakrover

I electric is very cool but take it from someone that knows batteries and electronics, they run out and fast. But for that short burst they're insane. The best of both worlds is what Fisker has done. A super powerful electric rechargeable battery but the chevy cobalt ss motor to kick in and pick up the slack as well as recharge when you dont.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisker_Karma

 

LPG= liquid propane gas. Con to running it is that it will dry out the seals in your engine over time unless you do the conversion that allows you to switch from gas to LPG and back. Used to have a bunch on LPG conversion trucks at DFW airport. But the big pro 5-10 years ago was LPG was dirt cheap but the prices are climbing all the time and really aren't that much cheaper than 87 octane gas nowadays. I looked at this as I used to have a pick-up that was LPG but I just don't think it's worth the hassle anymore to convert.

 

So is CNG worth it since LPG isn't.