Propane, my conclusions

To answer the first question yes i can use the search button. I just didn't feel like the threads had very solid conclusion on running propane. I'm considering it for my truck as a way to save on and don't really care about power. The kit I'm looking at is the fumigation kit: Propane Injection Systems, fuel saving in Diesel, Gas, Turbocharged Engine Trucks & water vapor air fuel system separators. I've read banks anti propane write up. The argument for propane says it was a catalyst to burn the diesel more complete and it helps burn the 25% of diesel that is being wasted out the exhaust. Banks dispels this myth. I believe this is an exaggeration but is there some truth to that? My conclusion on that thus far, 12 valves might waste 5% unburned diesel out the exhaust. If propane really helps burn that, you are saving that 5% in fuel........My conclusion might be an exaggeration. That is just a guess based on knowing that 12 valves don't burn 100% efficiently.

Detonation I've read up and down on that. My conclusion based on what people say is it occurs when you run too rich of a mixture. If you are conservative about adding it sounds like this won't be a problem. It also raises EGT's by my research 50-100 degrees. My conclusion on this is if you watch that, you are probably ok.

Propane has 35% less BTU's than diesel which is a pretty close correlation to mpg. When you are using it, it is replacing diesel. So in order to break even propane has to cost 35% less. However if it is in fact a catalyst to help burn the unburned diesel wasted out the exhaust you might gain back 5% of that? In gas cars propane has 25% less BTU's but in a carb car you only loose about 10% because propane is a better mix with air. Obviously a diesel is going to have a better air mix than a carb car, but propane is a gas so it should mix better than an injected diesel. It would seem to me you are gaining a little bit there also, 5% again? That is another shot in the dark guess. 35% less is a for sure but add back 5-10% for being a catalyst and a better mixture with air and now you at a price point of needing to be 25% less than diesel to break even.

Finally the biggest anti propane people say, "it's not worth it because propane is almost as expensive as diesel." I think that depends on where you live. I'm looking at propane because where I live diesel is currently $3.79 a gallon and propane is $1.89 a gallon. I think propane isn't near as popular as it used to be because most places around the country the price of propane vs price of diesel doesn't make it worth it. To me that makes it worth it. Any thoughts?