|
Is
propane injection good for making power in a diesel?
Propane is a quick way to make horsepower, but we have not seen a system on the
market that we are satisfied with. Most are somewhat crude in their design and
use old carbureted forklift technology (forklifts are usually powered by propane.)
During testing with one propane system, we experienced detonation on a diesel.
While detonation is never good, detonation on a diesel is frightening! Be very
careful about the promises that propane systems may offer.
Can propane be used on a non-turbocharged diesel?
The addition of propane to any diesel engine, whether turbocharged or normally-aspirated,
introduces more fuel to engine, without additional airflow. Although it can be
done, there is the constant danger of developing excessive exhaust gas temperatures,
thus the possibility of engine damage.
It is for this very reason that Banks addresses airflow. Airflow is critical
in the SAFE addition of fuel to a diesel engine, regardless of what that fuel
is. For normally-aspirated diesels, the Sidewinder turbo is an excellent way
to gain airflow and performance. Some people opt for the lower cost of a propane
injection system as an inexpensive way to increase horsepower, but the real cost
may be down the road when engine damage occurs.
Does Banks offer a propane injection system?
We've followed the interest in propane-injection systems for diesel engines,
and tested several to see if they are a valid way of safely increasing horsepower.
We uncovered a number of serious safety issues:
- Propane
injection is nothing more than a way to add more fuel to the
diesel engine. Without additional airflow, that additional fuel
delivery can produce excessive exhaust-gas temperatures that
harm internal engine components.
- When
propane is injected into the intake tract, it actually displaces
some air, further increasing the risk of excessive exhaust-gas
temperatures.
- Too
much propane can cause detonation, which is very damaging to
internal engine components.
- Propane
is commonly injected into the intake prior to the turbocharger.
This means that propane is present in the pressurized intake
air, introducing a volatile fuel in an air-stream that would
not normally contain fuel of any sort. Turbo-diesel engines occasionally
develop intake boost leaks, and when propane is present, a boost
leak could result in the presence of propane in a heated under-hood
environment. This is a great safety risk.
Before
Banks ever sells a propane-injection system for diesels, these
issues would have to be resolved in the course of our product development.
What kind of problems are likely when using two, staged turbochargers?
It is common to use different sized turbos when the turbochargers
are "staged":
that is, the compressor discharge from one turbo feeds the compressor inlet
of the second, and the compressor discharge of the second feeds the engine.
The most likely problem is extreme heating of the compressed intake air. A
charge air cooler (intercooler) should definitely be used to cool the air coming
out of the second turbo.
Does
Banks still offer the twin-turbo performance package for the small-block
Chevy V8?
Yes, Banks Twin-Turbos have returned! Banks legendary Twin-Turbo packages are
now available on complete Banks-built 6-liter engines producing up to 1100 horsepower.
Twin-Turbo System kits are also available for installation on existing small-block
engines. There are even small-block high-performance engine kits designed specifically
for Twin-Turbo setups. For complete information on these incredible Twin-Turbo
packages designed for ultimate performance and visual appeal, contact your Banks
Power Consultant.
|
