Are summer gas prices gonna hamper your upgrade plans this summer? - Page 2

Onefast99gsx · 02-17-2005

All these statements are true but lets say that the rise in gas prices costs you an extra $200/ year, then when you buy food it just got higher because transportation got higher, so let's say that cost an extra $150/year, Heat during the winter months, well now that just got higher because crude went up per barrel, so that's maybe an extra $100+/year, don't forget about other utilities like electric, that went up because they need more money to fund fuel for their utility/maintainence trucks.... The list goes on and on.

Now comes the anniversary date at work and it's review time.... you just find out that your raise is only gonna get you an extra $200(example), per year. What's that mean, means were slowly going broke. Price of gas doesn't just affect your drive to work and back.

You're all right though, it's something we can't do shit about. We need gas no matter what their shit price is. When gas goes up high like it is, it doesn't mean we use lesser of it so somebody out there is lining their pockets really nicely.

LightningGSX · 02-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by unreal808

I think I will convert over to propane, it has a octane value of 104. and its 25% -30% cheaper than gas.

You'd consume 25%-30% more propane to achieve the same level of energy gasoline has, so the price difference would be minimal.And I'd think the price to convert would be pretty hefty as well.

In reality, unless your building a engine/fuel system from scratch, alcohols are the only cost effective alternative to gas.

Onefast99gsx · 02-17-2005

We have a methanol plant about 15 minutes from me. We'd put alot more farmers back into business if we produced more methanol here and figured out a way to use it efficiently.

LightningGSX · 02-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onefast99gsx

We have a methanol plant about 15 minutes from me. We'd put alot more farmers back into business if we produced more methanol here and figured out a way to use it efficiently.

Do you mean ethanol? Methanol is made from wood.

Onefast99gsx · 02-17-2005

Oops you're right, ethanol. I think it takes alot of water to produce it though. So it's no freebie. There is still resources to make it.

unreal808 · 02-17-2005

The supply of propane to the engine is controlled by a regulator or vapourizer which converts the liquid propane to a gaseous form. The gas is then fed to an air, fuel mixer located close to the intake manifold where it is metered and mixed with filtered air before being drawn into the combustion chambers. As the fuel, air mixture is completely gaseous, the cold start problems associated with liquid fuel are eliminated.

On a per unit of weight basis, liquid propane contains about five percent more energy than gasoline; however, the density is 30% less. The net result is that a litre of propane (lighter) contains about 28% less energy than a litre of gasoline. Propane has an octane rating of 110 and all propane sold in Canada is classified HD 5, (less than 5% other gases, such as butane & methane).

With propane, a greater quantity is required to travel the same distance. But because of its gaseous form, your engine runs more efficiently which helps offset the extra propane consumed. The fact that propane is introduced to the combustion chamber as a vapour, a vehicle may actually run better on propane than on gasoline in low-speed, light-throttle conditions, especially when cold.

The greatest environmental benefit comes from reduced evaporative losses, including those which occur during refueling. This is because the propane fuel system is effectively sealed. As well, the inherent tendency to form ground-level ozone is half that of gasoline and propane does not contain lead or sulfur which contribute to acid rain.

Engines using propane can last two to three times longer than a gasoline engine.

Alpine TSi · 02-17-2005

So then what all is required to convert over to a propane fueled system?

Jakey · 02-17-2005

So what caused vehicles to stray away from propane? Back in the 50's, 60's, and 70's I know a number of tractors and trucks used to be equipped to run on propane.

**JET** · 02-17-2005

LP has possibilities, but the prices of that have been going up drastically too. I don't think it will be a viable option any time soon.

520Talon · 02-18-2005

With gas going up, hopefully there will be less of the gas monster SUVs on the road. It will also mean you will be able to buy a used one cheaper, you know, to be able to tow your DSM with.

TheBlizzard · 02-18-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by JET

LP has possibilities, but the prices of that have been going up drastically too. I don't think it will be a viable option any time soon.

Well you work at Bixby, design a car that will run on corn. And I am not talking about E85 either. I am talking about whole corn that you buy in a bag. You know the kind that fucking mouse put everywhere in our garage?

CRAIG

LightningGSX · 02-18-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRAIG

Well you work at Bixby, design a car that will run on corn. And I am not talking about E85 either. I am talking about whole corn that you buy in a bag. You know the kind that fucking mouse put everywhere in our garage?

CRAIG

First, you get a bunch of hamsters(JDM hamsters only).Then, you get a big hamster wheel that fits under the hood.....

TheBlizzard · 02-18-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by LightningGSX

First, you get a bunch of hamsters(JDM hamsters only).Then, you get a big hamster wheel that fits under the hood.....

Thats where them damn mice came from. Our motors, why didn't I think of that. I bet all the DSM's that are here have the motors packed with corn.

CRAIG

john · 02-20-2005

I am hoping they can make hydrogen economical to produce as our next energy source for cars.

**JET** · 02-20-2005

Hydrogen has its good an bad points. The emissions from actual combustion are great. The problem is with storage in the vehicle, transport to service stations, and a viable means to seperate the hydrogen. They are starting to get the storage in the vehicle figured out, but there is still a ways to go.

The other thing is the logistics of switching all of the stations over to hydrogen. That would be a massive effort. There would have to be a lot of hydrogen plants around, because they don't think the current pipeline system will work with hydrogen.

john · 02-20-2005

Yeah, it will take a lot of work in the begining but I never see us running out like we will with gas in 35 years. The resource is very plentifull.

Onefast99gsx · 02-22-2005

Goto this link. Click on the listen button. Gas could be as high as $3/gallon by summer.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=1897385

Gas back up to over $49.00/barrell today already.

AZT · 02-22-2005

How crazy. However, europe has prices like this anyway. I dont think it will make it any harder to mod my car, just harder to afford driving it.

Onefast99gsx · 02-22-2005

It's hard to compare the U.S. to other countries unless you compare everything apples-to-apples. Is everything over in Europe in similar price brackets as things here in the states?

**JET** · 02-22-2005

The thing with the european countries is that they don't include road taxes in with income tax like we do. Most of them tax gas a lot, which makes sense. If you use the roads more, you are going to use more gas, and pay for the roads more because you use them more. In the US we like to get everybody to pay for everything, so it doesn't work that way here.