Conversion Kit Recommendations - Diesel Forum

RickMeredith · 09-04-2008, 10:37 PM

I need a little help here. I have been looking at different alternatives to switching to bio and have come full circle. I am now thinking of running a conversion kit. Would any have any experience with certain kits? I know about a few. Frybrid, Greasecar, LoveCraft, and I am sure there are others. This is going into a 97 F250. I am actually leaning on the lovecraft simply because they are substantially cheaper. This is considered a 1 tank system, but I intend to install it and run one tank regular diesel and run the other WVO and switch over when the engine itself has warmed up enough. Although lovecraft says this is not necessary. What am I missing here? This sure beats having to constantly process bio and risk my kids getting into chemicals in my garage. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

hheynow · 09-05-2008, 09:10 AM

I've had the Plantdrive kit for 28 months and everything works flawlessly. Don't rule them out. For the 1st generation Powerstrokes there kits allow a quick purge.

vegistroker73L · 09-05-2008, 09:14 AM

Three words:

Dino Fuel Alternatives ( Dino Fuel Alternatives: Vegetable Oil Fuel Systems)

They are the producers of the Vegistroke V3. I could go on and on about it but hit up their website and you'll find out everything you need to know. I just installed my system last week, but there are plenty of guys with 50K+ miles. The fit and finish of the system is incredible-it looks like it was designed by Ford. The best part about it is the fact that it's fully automatic, no remembering to switch it on, no remembering to purge it before shutting down, etc... Even though I've only had it for just over a week I've run 75 gallons through it and couldn't be happier. Finally, their customer service is second to none-you can get these guys on the phone, via e-mail, over the webforum, etc...and get an answer to any question ASAP.

Frybrid is mixed-I hear they build a good system, but their customer service seems to be lacking-just read the comments on their own forum and you'll see what I mean. Again, this is just web anecdotal evidence but Greasecar also seems to be mixed. Lovecraft on the other hand seems to be 100% utter crap as confirmed by many credible sources. This guy does jury rigged "ACE hardware" style conversions and doesn't care that they won't work for very long. My advice? Go to DFA, read the tech articles, than compare to all of the others.

CDX825 · 09-08-2008, 03:48 PM

I would stay away from the lovecraft! I have heard way to many bad stories about their kits. Greasecar makes a decent kit for the price and their fuel valves are top notch in my opinion.

VTFireftr · 09-08-2008, 07:51 PM

I'll second the Vegistroke kit. I've had mine in since late May and have put over 10K miles on it. Had a veery minor problem. DFA took care of it.

Marc

Grease Squirrel · 09-09-2008, 12:16 AM

I'll third the vote for VeggieStroke. We are on 350 gallons run and 7000 miles. Had issue with FASS fuel pump but DFA took care of it. They are very busy now but will take care of you if you have a bit of patience. Good thing is the system protects the PowerStoke engine with the pressure and temp sensing which is what sold me on this system.

JJK · 09-09-2008, 12:39 PM

Fourth and fifth on the VEGISTROKE! Twoof them in the family. One on a 7.3 and one ona 6.0 I wouldnt mess around with anything else. Everything is OEM fit and finish, fully automatic. Even my wife drives it... I have nearly 20K onmy 6.0 and 15K on the 7.3 all on WVO, and alot more $ in my pocket! Remember, YOU ONLY GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!

RickMeredith · 09-10-2008, 10:43 AM

Thank you all for all of your comments. From what I can hear I really would love to go with the Vegiestroke and I actually talked to them for a long time. I really like some of the features of the system they make. If they just were not so darn expensive. Again thanks for the input. I have also posted a thread wondering if any of you could recommend an effective cost effective way to prepare the WVO. Thanks again.

vegistroker73L · 09-10-2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickMeredith

Thank you all for all of your comments. From what I can hear I really would love to go with the Vegiestroke and I actually talked to them for a long time. I really like some of the features of the system they make. If they just were not so darn expensive. Again thanks for the input. I have also posted a thread wondering if any of you could recommend an effective cost effective way to prepare the WVO. Thanks again.

Expensive you say? I'm sure that you get bombarded with 0% interest for one year credit card offers like we all do. Ever think about how much you spend on diesel in ONE YEAR!? Let's say you fill up every week and a half (I was filling up once a week

)-which depending on the size of your tank would add up to about $400 a month x 12 months = $4800!!! For that price you could purchase the complete system AND get yourself a nice Dieselcraft 0C-20 centrifuge, pump, and motor for filtering/dewatering. Put that all on the credit card, and take whatever you would have spent on fuel that month and pay off the card.

YergInGA · 09-11-2008, 05:29 PM

One alternative you are forgetting is the possibility of piecing your system together yourself.

I just finished my conversion made completely of off the shelf parts. I figure i saved 50% off of a vegistroke. My system has the same protections as a vegistroke and even uses the same switching principles. Click the link in my signature for a look at the website i used. They dont really sell anything and so i am not pushing a vendor. I am just saying that for a Vegistroke-esk system at about 50% discount try it out. Leon is very helpful and i am very excited about it.

vegistroker73L · 09-11-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YergInGA

I just finished my conversion made completely of off the shelf parts. I figure i saved 50% off of a vegistroke. My system has the same protections as a vegistroke and even uses the same switching principles. Click the link in my signature for a look at the website i used. They dont really sell anything and so i am not pushing a vendor. I am just saying that for a Vegistroke-esk system at about 50% discount try it out. Leon is very helpful and i am very excited about it.

It all depends on your comfort level I guess. I'm a pretty experienced shadetree mechanic, having swapped an engine or two and rebuilt some small block Chevys, but I'm not an engineer. The V3 was a substantial chunk of change, but so far I've saved $500 in diesel-13% of the initial investment (not counting the centrifuge) and at the rate I drive I'll have it all paid off by the end of the year easily.

GreaselGuy · 09-11-2008, 06:14 PM

Let me add one more choice to your list of possibilities. Take a look Golden Fuel Systems. I purchased a system from them in 2005 and have over 60,000 mile of burning mostly vegetable oil.

I only had to call them once but their customer service was great.

I have a short article on my blog that talks about the "conversion experience"

.

Depending on your location I would advise AGAINST a single tank system. The two tank system allows the vegetable oil to get heated up and thinned out and ready to burn.

Just my 2 cents.

airfooter · 09-12-2008, 08:26 PM

I have personally seen kits/conversions by almost all of the companys mentioned. ALL crap, except DFA/Vegistroke and Frybrid, who uses the Vegistroke V3 module. Not throwing stones, just an honest opinoin from a striving perfectionist. I have also met several folks who wished they had just bought 'the good kit' the first time - 'cause after making the junk work right, they have that much $$ invested anyway...

IMHO, by the best system and never think twice. Think about it - it WILL pay for itself whether it is a problematic, troublesome POS or a finely tuned accessory. If it don't work right or all the time, the return will take just as long for the 'cheap' kit as it will the good one!

There was no 'kit' that was quality I wanted when I did my 1rst conversion, so I built my own. 2nd time, V3 was an option so since I could not 'top' that I bought one and I have not looked back. It is one sweet peice of equipment - I love it.

TWeatherford · 09-15-2008, 08:48 AM

I'll comment on this one. I'll be second to say that all but Frybrid and Vegistroke/DFA are all crap, as far as I have seen and heard. Dad has a Vegistroke on his truck, an early version, which has had some issues but in the end has gotten him 75,000 miles on vegetable oil. Sounds like now the bugs we have had to deal with (electrical problems, pump failures) are pretty much sorted out. Spend the money now, and you won't regret it later. If you try to build your own, you'll probably spend more, and definately way more time, and not have as good a system in the end. The lovecrap or any other system will, at the end of the day, feed your motor with at least some cold oil and you will eventually suffer the effects of accelerated engine wear. My $0.02.

MongoVB · 09-25-2008, 07:03 AM

I have a question about the Golden system or any system for that matter. Some say just pull up to a resturaunt and pump into the cllection tank then pump into the useable tank through the filter. What about drying the oil? I thought that had to be done first before using the oil?