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SVO or Biodiesel?

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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
I'm considering picking up an old Suburban and converting it to either biodiesel or SVO. Any of you guys do this? Any tips/tricks or reviews?

Also, how has your experience with it been in the winter. I hear its harder to work with in places where it gets cold.
Sep 25 2011 4:35PM
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gabe.
Posts: 1891 - Karma: 47
well you dont have to do anything to convert it to biodiesel... as long as it is diesel. you can just fill it up, nothing has to be changed. we have a 1999 diesel suburban and run it off 100% biodiesel in the warm seasons and in 50/50 (diesel and biodiesel) in the winter. if you know somewhere to get biodiesel than its a good idea. but the thing is the latest year a suburban was made in diesel was 1999 and they are really hard to find i good condition. we also have a tdi diesel jetta and run its run off biodiesel aswell. if you have any more questions pm me

as far as SVO i have no idea what that is..
Sep 25 2011 4:54PM
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
SVO is straight veggie oil.

Do you make your own biodiesel or just pump it from a station?
Sep 25 2011 5:04PM
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gabe.
Posts: 1891 - Karma: 47
from a station a half an hour away
Sep 25 2011 5:06PM
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pomme-de-terre
Posts: 3915 - Karma: 703
SVO is harder to come by than bidiesel, plus diesel engines are the fucking future and its just better to have one no matter what.
Sep 25 2011 5:25PM
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KrazyistKarl
Posts: 1725 - Karma: 599
regular diesel
Sep 25 2011 6:28PM
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sherwood4099
Posts: 1173 - Karma: 22
This
Sep 25 2011 6:36PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
this.

but, forget a suburban, gm 6.2 and 6.5l diesels are fucking boat anchors, cummins, duramax or 7.3l IDI/powerstroke are where it's at as far as domestic fullsize stuff goes
Sep 25 2011 6:37PM
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
What do you mean?
Sep 25 2011 7:06PM
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tBatt
Posts: 9632 - Karma: 580
If you want to run SVO, you absolutely need to run heaters for your fuel tank and lines. I think it starts to gel up under 40-50 degrees. Biodiesel will stay liquid a little colder, but you definitely can't run straight up biodiesel in the winter without heating.

SVO is nice because you can just pump it right in. Biodiesel, if you're making it, has to be processed and everything which takes about 36 hours IIRC. but it's MUCH cheaper. Just about everywhere will give it to you for free. If you're lucky enough, someone may be paying you to take it away. Chemicals are reasonably priced (especially compared to diesel) and it really isn't too difficult to make. I think you end up with some fats that you have to have "properly disposed". Or if you're super cool, make some soap out of it.

I've been planning on getting a jetta TDI and making a biodiesel processor. Just gotta get my car on the market. I plan on running B100 in the summer, and B30 or so in the winter.

Sep 25 2011 7:07PM
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pomme-de-terre
Posts: 3915 - Karma: 703
this is the only one that matters.
Sep 25 2011 7:50PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
the old chevy diesels, until the d-max came out are awful, theyre weak, inefficient and unreliable.

a 7.3L ford, either an IDI or a powerstroke is a good engine

any of the cummins engines found in dodge trucks are solid

and i dont know a lot about the d-max but i hear its pretty good
Sep 25 2011 8:42PM
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tBatt
Posts: 9632 - Karma: 580
In an offroad campervan!

Click for larger image
Sep 25 2011 10:14PM
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
What year did the duramax engines come out?

I am looking for a cheap big truck/SUV thing, and have found a couple pre-93 Burbans for around $1000
Sep 25 2011 10:17PM
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Inbred_Redneck
Posts: 2776 - Karma: 28
Duramax's came out in 2001. Theres nothing wrong with the older 6.2/6.5 Detroit diesels, theyre reliable, easy to work on, and get decent mileage. They dont have much power thats known for a diesel but it will move a suburban pretty well, i know because my buddy has one and loves it.

I'd love to see someone do a propane conversion instead of SVO. Propane runs the cleanest, cheapest, and will make your engine last longer.
Sep 25 2011 11:20PM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 235
d-max's still have thier issues after all its still a chevy

the new power stokes sucks they will blow up at around 100k miles.

older power stokes are better.

cummins is by far the best been around forever and will definitely last forever.

personally id drop a cummins in a tundra if money wasnt an issue.

but if the chevy is a gas and you want to run biodiesel you need to get a diesel engine and then you can run it the cost will be high on that one.
Sep 25 2011 11:21PM
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Inbred_Redneck
Posts: 2776 - Karma: 28
If it was a gas he could run straight LP for cheaper. If he gets a diesel he can run LP/diesel mix and increase his mpg. Its a little harder to get right with a diesel though.
Sep 25 2011 11:25PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
lol putting a cummins in a tundra is a terribad idea, 1100 pound engine in a half ton truck... :/

also, dodge trucks are pretty meh,front ends wear out fast weak tie rods, electrical issues etc.
Sep 26 2011 4:51PM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 235
Exactly why I want to put it in a tundra of course the frame would have to have some work for the extra weight and torque while towing
Sep 26 2011 5:01PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
if i were to put a cummins in a tundra, i dont know what i wouldnt replace, i would need tons, nv4500, np205, major frame work... not even worth it if tundras were attractive
Sep 26 2011 5:03PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,123
why wouldn't you just leave it in the dodge? I mean you would essentially have to build a whole new truck, when the dodge is engineered to handle that engine already. Visually the tundra is just as ugly as the dodge anyways.

At least drop it in a chevy one tone if you are going to go through all that hassle.
Sep 26 2011 5:09PM
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
I'm almost leaning more towards running LP. How expensive is a kit, or how hard is it to DIY?

Also, can you run LP and switch gas, say you're traveling and can't find any LP?
Sep 26 2011 5:23PM
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vincepru
Posts: 5474 - Karma: 17
dude, there are forums on this stuff where people have it down to a T. why wouldn't you search for answers there? or look in the classifieds for your area for a car thats already been converted.
Sep 26 2011 6:09PM
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Inbred_Redneck
Posts: 2776 - Karma: 28
yes you can run dual systems, but like another said, easier to find an LP conversion forum that knows their shit.
Sep 26 2011 6:36PM
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rockyhockey11187
Posts: 1041 - Karma: 15
the diesel I use in my mittsubishi pajero emits exhaust with 2,000 X the sulfur particle content allowed by the state of CA, sweet
Sep 26 2011 6:42PM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 235
i would i love dodge's but it is true that besides the cummins engine they have some major week points.

the tundra is an awesome truck i drive one every day and couldnt be happier i just dream about that cummins diesel, plus the interior on the yoter i dont think can be beat i have bluetooth, xm radio a nice bucket seat. and i do like their gas engine that 5.7 puts down some nice rubber when you hammer it.
Sep 26 2011 8:17PM
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Funnel
Posts: 7815 - Karma: 1,531
Yep. My friend's dad has a Platinum Tundra and it is honestly so nice. Super fast, deep bed, and really hauls ass. They're by far my favorite half-ton truck out there.
Sep 26 2011 8:33PM
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Mister.F
Posts: 1206 - Karma: 169
WVO, waste veggie oil is where its at. 1)get from local restaurant 2)filter it 3)fill up 4)drive 5)??? profit
Sep 26 2011 8:39PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
trust me bro, with a cummins everything in the tundra would grenade, if you put a small block chevy in a taco you run the risk of killing parts, a cummins in a tundra is just as bad if not worse
Sep 26 2011 8:52PM
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GILLSKI
Posts: 1250 - Karma: 361
get a cummins 7.3 powerstroke or new durmax... not 03 0r 04
Sep 26 2011 8:55PM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 235
you still dont get what i am meaning by saying this.

i would never actually do this.

i would love if toyota and cummins made a 3/4 ton tundra with a cummins in it is more so what i am saying.
Sep 26 2011 9:21PM
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I.B
Posts: 8137 - Karma: 24,351
Click for larger image
Sep 26 2011 9:50PM
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
Do you run this in the winter too?
Sep 26 2011 10:46PM
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Mister.F
Posts: 1206 - Karma: 169
yeah you an if you buy an oil heater that you just put in your trunk and run a line to the engine
Sep 27 2011 2:18PM
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