A company that makes plug-and-play kits to let cars run on natural gas goes hotrodding. Will it convince the old roadster crowd to do low-emissions burnouts?
Posted 09.25.2009 at 1:56 pm
8 Comments
Corvette-Engined Hot Rod to Showcase Natural Gas Power
Compressed natural gas conversion company AFVTech Inc. is working on a CNG-powered 1933 Ford Roadster hot rod. Powered by a 600 hp V8 engine, the Roadster will get modern hardware like a six-speed transmission, drive by wire engine management system, four-wheel ABS brakes and selectable traction control. CNG proponents say the fuel burns cleaner than gasoline and can enhance cars' performance.
AFVTech
As a fuel for cars, compressed natural gas hasn't exactly exploded in the US. Of all the major automakers, only Honda offers a CNG-powered car, buyers of which are eligible for a tax rebate and get a free pass on the carpool lane in most states. But proponents of CNG say the fuel that's common for buses and fleet vehicles is not only good for commuter cars, but for flamboyant customs as well.
AFVTech's regular business is converting regular cars to run on CNG, but the the company is setting its engineers upon a showcase vehicle that happens to be a 1933 Ford Roadster. In addition to its clean-burn properties that mean low emissions and long engine life, CNG also has a high octane rating, allowing high-performance cars to use an elevated compression ratio and produce more power.
In this case, that power comes from a modified 7.0-liter LS7 V8 engine from Chevrolet's Corvette Z06, tuned to produce more than 600 hp. The powerplant is connected to a six-speed transmission and modern gear like a drive-by-wire engine management system and four-wheel ABS brakes with selectable traction control. Details on the CNG tank setup to feed that eight-pot beast will likely be forthcoming.
Naturally, the company's aim is to make a statement, promote the properties of CNG that make it favorable as an automotive fuel, and of course lay enormous black stretches and clouds of atomized rubber over Las Vegas, where the hot rod will make its debut at the AFVI alternative-fuel trade show in Las Vegas in May 2010.
[via Green Car Congress]
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how much?
can't understand why the car companies aren't offering more cng cars, and more gas stations aren't selling it (we have two in my area). we are self sufficient when it comes to natural gas, it burns cleaner, and the engine lasts longer
Ripoff priced natural gas to my home cost about $1.15 a gallon equivalent. The gas stations in town sell it for $3 a gallon - the difference a huge profit made possible with large campaign donations to the right politicians.
The home Phil station unfortunately is another ripoff at $7000. Its really no more than a scuba tank compressor. Could be mass produced for a few hundred bucks.
Utah does it right selling natural gas at the gas station for $1.00 a gallon same as at home. Must be Morman morality restraining corporate greed and political corruption for the public good. Who knew it could happen in America.
without going into a rant, yes, utah is doing it right. I still think GM could do alot for it's image by bringing a CNG cobalt, and fullsize pickup to it's lineup. instead, they spend billion on that hokie fuel cell
Having driven a CNG Van for 2 years I have a couple issues.
Fill up time was horrible. 20 minutes or more.
Mileage. It had horrible mileage "I could do about 140 miles round trip on a tank"
Assuming those things have been taken care of and storage of fuel is equal to that of gasoline "i.e. I can put enough to go 300miles" I'm all for it.
It is extremely clean burning and engines will last a long time and require fewer oil changes.
I should have put this in my original comment,
Why would we try and convince a population of hobbyist's so low as to be a negligible impact on the environment?
Hot Rodders aren't exactly causing huge amounts of emissions. Many rarely even run their cars over cruising speed.
Fine and Dandy, Rodders have yet another tweak/addon they can build into a rod. Don't pretend it's going to affect the environment one iota.
Lets not forget mileage, according to edmunds is around half. How big a tank you going to put in that rod? Where is it going to fit?
buckrodgers
Why can't they make a CNG hybrid and get the best of both technologies? GOOD GAS MILAGE AND WE CAN LOWER OUR DEPENDENCE ON CRUDE OIL.
daniel brown--RIGHT, Compressed natural gas HAS ABOUT %25 OF THE POWER OF GAS. TO GO ANYWHERE IT MUST BE COMPRESSED TO 3000 POUNDS. WANT TO BE IN A CAR IF THE TANKS BURST IN A WRECK. I WAS GOING TO DO THAT WITH MY BOSS 428. DID NOT.