Team-BHP - Performance Mods for CNG Cars

@wolfinstein- Can you tell me where can i get Platinum plugs for my Ikon 1.6 CNG which is delivering pretty well on the performance front with a TAP only on a Tomascetto kit.
I did think of a CAI and FFE complete with headers, So thats in the pipeline but wanted to try out the plugs first.

1. Where can i get original stuff in Delhi(Spark Plugs). And the price please if you have an idea.
2. Dont want to go in for Iridiums at the moment as my Ignition Coil is fairly new so would a dual point Bosch be good as an upgrade or Platinum?
3. Would Mobil 1 Super Syn be good for a car that has done 114000kms?

I would really appreciate your reply to my queries. Thanks in advance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfinstein (Post 847008)

My Home Town is Lucknow, I really wonder in Lucknow, if you really need a CNG kit-Since the Immediate Distances are small.

Remember whatever you choose, it has to be planned and your car prepared for the same.

Choosing Iridium plugs will alone not help, Infact all it will do it is give better spark but not much noticable difference- CNG will never ignite in the same propensity as a Petrol- You will have that lag.

To reduce the after effects, I suggest the following mods in the above post, they should work well for you- But trust me, Going Stock ain't that bad either.

1) Go for a Cooler Air Intake System
2) Spend your money on Sequential system from Landi Renzo.
3) Source a Better ignition coil along with Denso or NGK Iridium plugs.
4) Suggest a Free flow- To impress the folk in hazartganj or gomti nagar.

But before you forget let me advise you of the most important thing:

You may not be able to service the Sequential CNG kit in lucknow, till the time the dealerships don't start stocking the OBD and Scanner terminals. You will have to come at least once or twice in a year to get the system tuned in Delhi and ofcourse if issues happen, get it here either by Tow or disconnection of the complete kit.

If you ask me,I suggest you look for a Simpler mod along with a closed loop system.

Does it mean mere switching to petrol in a failed kit will not always allow me to drive to Delhi.:Shockked:
Anyway can you suggest the exact system and the shop at delhi.
Will you recommend me a closed loop kit and mods?
Will a free flow impress people (at ganj) or they take it as a defect?

Guys I have been going through lot of threads related to CNG..open loop, closed loop etc....can someone please answer my following question -

I have Swift ZXi, done 34k kms, and planning to convert that to CNG.
What all devices are required..?
In my thought kit + Advancer is enough ?
Or you need Lambda too ? whats the cost of lambda ?
Since ZXi has greater number of sensors than other variants, does it require major changes ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfinstein (Post 854565)

Ha Ha...I really don't know...in my time Ganjing was much simpler...!

I recommend Closed Loop, No particular installer- Just ping others on the forum like phamilyman or abhik, they can guide you to an installer.

I'm not saying that it won't allow you to drive back, the problem is that its a waste to put something that cannot be serviced easily. You can ofcourse choose to drive anywhere, after removing the Kit or disabling it.

Hey Wolfy!

I've own a CNG Optra (official GM...aachhooSrimankar Bedini....kit) for a couple years. One of the first things I did is install a K&N panel- a CAI would be risky with the monsoon waterlogging in Bombay AND the Optra has good breathing piping.

I'm curios about the better spark plug theory. Sure a better spark will do better for a gaseous fuel but the question then becomes "Which plug"? Sure the Bosch has 4 electrodes but that does really change anything? Have you tried them?

Again, the catback/ free flow makes sense but I don't see gains being anything more than academic.

Finally, what makes the sequential system so different than a regular closed loop system?

Yes It is definitely, environ friendly fuel , than petrol & Diesel , It has to be promoted for green earth
Suneel Gore
agree:

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashthedivx (Post 783488)

Well said Ishaan, but it might be a story of Non-Lamda CNG kitted cars. In my car i get better performance in CNG rather then Petrol. This is something i have tested on highways. So for me switching to petrol isn't the solution.

Well said jassi, but you might be knowing some benifits of CNG over Petrol/Diesel.. Don't you ? Let's have some gyan...

- Combustion of CNG is smoother as it has high octane content. No additive is required to guarantee high quality performance. CNG has an anti knocking power which is superior than petrol/diesel. CNG’s high octane number permits the use of higher compression ratio which leads to significant enhancement in efficiency.
- CNG run car will increase the engine oil drain period, extending the life of the spark plugs and in turn the drivability and less expenditure on oil cost.
- Adulteration or spilling or theft is not possible, which is actually very easy in Petrol/Diesel
- CNG reaches the engine in pure form resulting in an improved air/fuel mixture and enables refined combustion.
- There is hardly any discharge of CO (Carbon mono-oxide) as compared to petrol and diesel since the exhaust fumes contains less harmful substances. The CO emissions are around 80% less than petrol and 40% less than diesel. Hydrocarbon emissions are 60% less than petrol and 50% less than diesel. Nitrous oxide emissions are around 80% less than petrol and 90% less than diesel. Carbon dioxide which contributes to global warming is less in CNG.
- The engine oil doesn’t dilute with a consequential reduction in servicing cost.
- Existing fuel system is retained which can work as an option in turn increasing the vehicle range.
- And above all, my monthly CNG bill is around 3K which was 12-13K otherwise in Petrol.

And yes, regarding mod stages about more then a million vehicles currently run on CNG, mostly in Italy, New Zealand and Canada apart from India. And they too have some seriously modded CNG running veichles taking full advantage of CNG's High Octane Numbers.

Last but not the least - what stage do you think a turbo-charged, 150hp, 1.4 TSI model, VW-Passat CNG is in ?

:) Cheers

Hi,

I have a query, not sure how much it is related to performance mods.

What engine oil one must use in case of a CNG converted car ?
I have a 2003 WagonR converted to CNG few months back. I have used Shell Helix 20W-50 as the first oil change after CNG conversion. I am concerned after reading some posts that this is a thick oil.
Off late I have observed that the engine noise has increased to some extent -- can't precisely say that it is because of engine oil or cng conversion. Now the time for oil change is approaching (as I have run 4.5K after the oil change) and am not able to decide. stupid:. Can someone pls guide me on this?

Mod: Please park this in a right thread if I have incorrectly posted this message here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by directinjection (Post 783513)

Power loss in CNG mode is reduced considerably if the kit has automatic timing advancer.

The latest type of CNG/LPG kit is the one with sequential gas injection and gives even better performance. The kit comes with its own ECU and involves least interference with the vehicle's existing fuel supply system. Costs around Rs. 70,000/-. It reduces pollution even further.

agree: I have a Timing Advance Processor installed and the power loss is almost negligible. To top it off, I just installed a new K&N filter and NGK Iridium plugs and I have noticeable gains in torque and HP. Planning to switch to sequential injection sometime soon. Will post reviews later.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khandelwal (Post 987037)

Though CNG specific engine oils are available but haven't tested them though, been using Castrol Magnatec from ages and really satisfied with the same.

Does the engine noise is higher in cng or petrol ??

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9thsphinx (Post 1019975)

it can't be, after installing K&N, you wont get noticeable gains in torque.
Burning CNG requires less air than the petrol. Stock airfilter already have a very good amount of air which helps cng to burn.

Instead you should had installed a CAI if you want a better torque in CNG cars. That torque will be noticeable. There is no use of installing just K&N Performance air filter for CNG Cars. Its all psychological that many of us thinks that there is a power gain.

TAP installed in the CNG cars is really a great piece of engineering. It gives a feeling as if you are driving a detuned Verna VGT. haha after 2k RPM Car becomes CRAZY. clap:

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashthedivx (Post 1020170)

Engine noise is higher as compared to when running on petrol and on CNG its even louder when the A/C is turned on, lots of vibes too.

Magnatec is good enough or if you really want to spend a lil then try Mobil 1 Super Syn.

Go for colder plugs!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gangsta (Post 1020474)

+1 on that.
CNG does require less air to burn thats why after my KnN install i had to redo the fuel mixture setting.
But a CAI will definately help smoothen the engine running.[/quote]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gangsta (Post 1020474)

after 2k RPM Car becomes CRAZY. clap:

C'mon now! Thats a bit of an overstatement, dont you think? There is a difference but not like CRAZY, that will happen once you get a TURBO with 10-12PSI boost:D