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Greenblade -> RE: diesel or alternative fuel modifications (5/14/2006 3:39:25 AM)
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Heres what i've found about the possibilities with H2s and alternative fuels (diesel, E85, propane).
DIESEL. as everybody would know, no such option is available. http://www.stallioncustoms.com/h1h2dudico.html and other places discuss conversions. There are rumors (per local dealer) about such an option being available in ~2008. The duramax engine. On alot of levels, this makes sense. The wildly high torque (and at low RPM) make that engine better suited for offroading, and would open up the possibility of a 5 speed auto with a very low-rpm overdrive cruise option. There's no reason you couldn't get 20mpg on the highway out of an H2, giving that gorgeous hunk of metal a 600 mile cruise range.
But, the H2 is caddy-quiet at lower speeds, and you'd get some diesel rumble-muck for your trouble i'm sure. some people like the sound, some people hate the smell, blah blah blah
E85. The 6 liter GM engine is not available in an E85 version, and isn't easily made compatible with E85 fuel. Basically, the engine is too low in compression for ideal function in combination with E85. The 5.3 liter engine is available in an "alternative fuel" version, with power specs not very much different.
In the H2 the 6 liter engine delivers 316 horsies at 5200 RPM and 360 ftlbs of torque at 4000. In the GMC Sierra (or Tahoe, etc.) the 5.3 liter flex-fuel engine yields 295 horse at 5200 and 335 ftlbs at 4000. The 5.3 and 6 liter motors are based on the small block V8 that's existed for decades, the 6 liter just being bored out a little more. The GMC site (or chevy site) doesn't specify if that power output is as high with E85, and it may or may not be.
Teh 6 liter can be modifed for E85 compatibility, but this is a fairly involved process. Pistons have to be modified for higher compression and the computer system has to be modified.
If you opt to go with the 6 liter re-build or a conversion to a 5.3 liter flex-fuel engine, my understanding is that your warranty will be voided en summe, and you will be at the mercy/leniency of the dealership for warranty work. I've put in a formal request to the dealer for info on engine conversion and warranty work on the 4WD system, & will report back.
The new motor itself could, of cuorse, come with a considerable warranty.
Propane. Propane conversions for many vehicles are possible, including le hummus 2imus. I believe that i located a GM-certified (sop you can keep your warranty) conversion place, but i'll be dipped if i can find my notes about it right now. It was here in Minnesota.
So, in any remote reality, only the propane conversion is possibly sensible from an economic standpoint, as voiding your warranty + a motor re-build and/or new motor + pain of installing a different motor will cost thousands more than you'd ever save by running E85.
but, then a prius isn't economically viable, either. and, frankly, at $2.70/gallon, gas is still pretty darn cheap, cheap enough to really not matter even if you're only getting 13 in normal driving like my H2. but if you want to give an E-terrorist the middle finger for a change & get environmentalistic, this is what i've found out to date.
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