Compressed natural gas sports car

[baldwincng]

I want to buy my wife a sports car for Xmas that runs on compressed natural gas, reduced emissions of NOX, lower CO2, saving the planet etc.

I need help please.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Since you seem to have already selected the technology to be used, the only help you need is finding an assured supply of CNG in places she would want to go.

I assume she won't want to travel far, because the CNG storage will consume all of whatever trunk space would normally be provided in a small car.





Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[baldwincng]

I know a company that makes a home-fill CNG device so you fill at home (as it happens I also own a CNG filling station that supplies 20 trucks with fuel, each doing 800 miles per day, a total of 1 million therms of gas per year, or eqaul to 4 million miles per year - but my wife will not want to fill at that station, she'll want the car to be always full, no more petrol station visits!)

 

[MikeHalloran]

Ah. That explains your fuel choice.

So ... what help do you need?



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[baldwincng]

I need to find a nice sports car and get it converted to cng.......right hand drive for UK use....

 

[franzh]

Your choices are limited here in the US, but in Europe, you have almost a limitless number of conversion optinos. Your biggest factor would be container placement vs. volume for range, one of the biggest hurdles for CNG usage here in the US.
Do a websearch for European CNG systems, Eng-Tips policy prohibits company or product plugging.

Franz

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Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[turbocohen]

BMW made a limited number of oem cng vehicles. They run ok but lack power imo.

Steyr introduced an impractical concept cng single seater

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005/09/magna_steyrs_mi.html

 

[patprimmer]

So in actual fact, you want us to recommend a brand/model sports car.

Please indicate budget.

Please define sports car as many people have differing ideas on what a sports car is, eg. Does it need a traditional badge like MG or Alfa Romeo. Must it be devoid of a proper roof, can it seat more than 2 people. Does it need to be high performance, or even high performance at the expense of comfort.

Things that spring to mind are Honda's S2000 and Integra, Mazda's MX5 and RX8, Subaru WRX, various MGs, BMW M3 or M5?, various Porsche, Chevy Corvette, Pontiac GTO, all Lotus. If I go on, the list gets enormous.

Regards

eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[franzh]

Naw, my idea of a sports car is my 66 Mustang with a more than streetable 5 liter, cutting corners in Willow Springs, lapping with a BMW M-3, then driving home with the windows up and air conditioning on!
Pat's correct, everyones idea of a sports car is different. Baldwin; since you are familiar with the CNG arena, you are also familiar with the problems with CNG storage, shape of cylinders,etc.
Franz

eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[MikeHalloran]

I personally would favor a Caterham/Lotus Seven, with a not too large filament wound tank across the back, exposed, maybe mounted like a swamp buggy pipe bumper. No range to speak of, but fun while it lasts, and not too heavy to push.

But picking a car is easy.

I feared he would ask us how to keep it 'always full' for the wife.




Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[rdd48856]

I think the first thing you should select is if you want a bi-fuel or a dedicated fuel car...if you want a dedicated cng engine you're options even here in Europe are very limited...if you want a bi-fuel (petrol-cng) I recommend an aftermarket conversion since OEM are being installed outside the factory anyway, somewhere between it and retailers. This is the only way you can have a lot of options, you can choose whatever model and maker except direct injection petrol cars (VW FSI, Citroen HPI, Mitsubishi GDI, etc.) and any sequential injection CNG kit. Expect a 10 to 15 % decreasing in power.

Regards.

 

[globi5]

Have considered a VW beetle TDI running on vegetable oil?
If you'd increase boost, lower it and add some nice wheels to it, it could be considered a green sports car.

http://www.greaseworks.org/modules....ns&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=18&page=1

http://www.greasecar.com/profile.cfm?profileID=69