Purchasing a CNG kit! HELP

[kiqq]

Hi, I've been disgusted with the gas prices out there, and have started to thinking about converting my car to CNG. I've looked around the internet and have found PLENTY of CNG convertion kits. I do have some oops I mean TONS of questions, but here are some if someone can guide me, through my start up project.

Vehicle is 1998 Toyota Camry Automatic 4Cly
1. Can someone recommend a CNG kit for this vehicle and where would I purchase one.
2. Is converting a vehicle legal?
3. Do I need any special permits to drive my vehicle?
4. My wife thinks I'm crazy. Should I get a new wife?
5. Just kidding on the top one. She's looking...... ;o)
6. How much do you think I'll need for this convertion? I found one conversion kit for $1700.00 Includes tank.

I'm in Plano, TX

[TOMTGT]

Re: Purchasing a CNG kit! HELP

If some one is selling you a kit for $1700 for that car Run as fast as you can. First of all I do not know any one that builds a EPA kit for that car.

Sell wife and get a new Honda.

Tom

[John Mitton]

Re: Purchasing a CNG kit! HELP

Keep the wife, ditch the crappy conversion kit, and stay out of jail

http://www.cngchat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3567&postcount=8

I'm going to move this thread over to the Conversions Forum.

[cngaz]

Re: Purchasing a CNG kit! HELP

Someone wants to easily relieve you of some of your money.
I would trade into a Honda GX like Tom says. A sure thing.
Unless its EPA approved, you are stuck in the USA.

[MrComment]

Re: Purchasing a CNG kit! HELP

Maybe I'm wrong but EPA certification is not necessary in some states, correct? I think you'll have to answer this question for yourself, but I know nothing about TX, does your car need annual emission testing? Btw, Toyota did make a CNG Camry as well, not that it really matters. Regardless, who gives a crap what the EPA thinks.. Let me put it this way, you know all those go fast goodies you can stick on your car that say "for off road use only" (i.e. No EPA or CARB rating) does anyone actually pay attention to these stickers? Hell no, heres what you do. Jack your Camry up 4ft and 4X4 it, (dont forget to get yourself some good mudders too) then do your CNG conversion while your at it, of course you'll promise to only use CNG while your "off roading", or racing right!?. So unless you need to go in for routine emission testing, I doubt anyone will ever ask you were your EPA certification is. (Disclaimer: This is just my own opinion.)

[baden]

Re: Purchasing a CNG kit! HELP

Where would I find info about a toyota camry kit? Thanks

[luedtkec]

Re: Purchasing a CNG kit! HELP

Ask the seller of the conversion kit if it is Federally Certified by the EPA. If it is, then you can install it and you will be fine and 100% legal. There is a list of federally certified conversion kits on this site, but none include any Toyota Camary engines. Other than that, It is against federal law to tamper with the OBDII system on the vehicle. Your conversion kit will modify sensor values into that OBDII unit so not to get a MIL (check engine light) while running CNG. This OBDII system is EPA certified by Toyota.
OKAY! now that I've got the "by the book" answer out of the way. Here is the good stuff. Go and do the conversion, making sure that the company you buy components from is reputable. ($1700 seems kind of cheap with a tank to me) If your state requires smog testing, bypass your kit and hook your ECU up normally for the day, pass the test as a normal petroleum burning vehicle and be on your merry way for a year Running CNG! Make sure the tank is DOT approved and hasn't passed expiration and the tank must be rated to hold 250bar (3600psi) of pressure. Don't get rid of your wife. Alimony will be more than the 1700 you pay for the conversion.

~Newbie (but educated)

[rkv]

Re: Purchasing a CNG kit! HELP,if ur state doesnot reqiure emission u can convert,___

Ask the seller of the conversion kit if it is Federally Certified by the EPA. If it is, then you can install it and you will be fine and 100% legal. There is a list of federally certified conversion kits on this site, but none include any Toyota Camary engines. Other than that, It is against federal law to tamper with the OBDII system on the vehicle. Your conversion kit will modify sensor values into that OBDII unit so not to get a MIL (check engine light) while running CNG. This OBDII system is EPA certified by Toyota.
OKAY! now that I've got the "by the book" answer out of the way. Here is the good stuff. Go and do the conversion, making sure that the company you buy components from is reputable. ($1700 seems kind of cheap with a tank to me) If your state requires smog testing, bypass your kit and hook your ECU up normally for the day, pass the test as a normal petroleum burning vehicle and be on your merry way for a year Running CNG! Make sure the tank is DOT approved and hasn't passed expiration and the tank must be rated to hold 250bar (3600psi) of pressure. Don't get rid of your wife. Alimony will be more than the 1700 you pay for the conversion.

~Newbie (but educated)

that price is correct ___ sells one for that price,

[joe_kan]

Re: Purchasing a CNG kit! HELP,if ur state doesnot reqiure emission u can convert,ews

Although I rarely agree with the status quo I must say if you are new to NGVs get a used one that was factory equipped and learn a bit before you try a conversion. I owned 6 factory equipped NGVs before I tried this on a farm truck and it took about 60 man-hours and about $2000.00 before I got it running well. I got my last used NGV on Craigslist for $3500.00 and it was a much easier path forward. I'm all for learning new things but going from not owning a NGV to doing your own conversion is a big step - just owning your first NGV is a big step; fueling, manitaining it. Hope you have a CNG station close because that could be a major hurdle itself or if you are home fueling the equipment is not cheap.

Yea - there is also the regulatory stuff if you really want to be 100% legal. You will see this kicked arounf a bit on this and other forums. You could run into issues as some mentioned depending on the state you live in but the most important thing is that you want to be safe. I personally believe knowledge provides the path to safety not regulations, however, if you don't have a lot of NGV knowledge you are more likely to have safety concerns with your installation.

Good luck to you. I would highly recommend getting a used NGV first before you go all in on a conversion.

As always - just my opinion here.