Rep Power: 128

I've come across a number of CNG 7th gen Civics over the last few months. These are usually low mileage cars and seem to go cheap. Is there a way to convert them to run on gasoline or would it be simpler to convert them to propane? There are no CNG stations near me otherwise I would be OK with that.

 
Rep Power: 229

Probably not worth it.

If memory serves, the pistons are higher compression, which could cause failure, on a stock gas setup.

as we I'd guess the fuel tank would be different because it holds a compressed gas, not liquid fuel.

probably many other small parts to.

labour for pistons alone would cost you $1000. Perhaps more $100 per hour billed st 10 hours.

plus parts price.

 
Rep Power: 128

I read somewhere the CR is 12.5 to 1 so it's not insanely high. It looks like LPG might be the way to go. I've got more digging to do. It's just I could never find a low mileage 7th gen LX or EX Civic like one I've just found at a reasonable price.

 
Rep Power: 512

I have zero clue about converting to non-cng, but the easiest, safest way would probably be to engine swap and retrofit all the associated LPG parts.

That would include:
Engine swap (you may be able to get away with the same tranny, not sure)
ECU swap
Fuel tank (since you'd have to replace the little cylinder thing with one that actually houses LPG)
Fuel lines
and any peripheral components related to an LPG system like the evap canister and what have you.

To me, that'd be a lot more money and work than it'd be worth

 
Rep Power: 128

No swapping engines and trannys is not what I'd want to do on a car with less than 30K miles. I don't think I'll go gasoline at this point. I'm now looking at the LPG (propane) route. The same tank can be used for propane. There are things like pressure regulators and possibly injectors that have to be changed or adjusted. I need to look up what the octane rating for propane is. CNG is around 120.

 
Rep Power: 512

I was using lpg for liquified petroleum gas (e.g. diesel or unleaded), not low pressure gas. Just for clarification.

 
Rep Power: 128

Oh OK, I was used to calling LPG, propane.
So I don't confuse anyone, I'm thinking about a propane conversion from CNG. There seem to be kits out there for gasoline to propane but I haven't found anything about the component differences between propane and CNG, aka Natural Gas.

 
Rep Power: 128

I guess I'm not going to bother with getting this car and try to convert it. There's just too many unknowns in the process. The tank will need to be replaced anyway and that's at least over $1100. No one re certifies CNG tanks. It's a shame. This car is going to sell cheap and has less than 30K miles but there's no way I could fill it with CNG anywhere ear where Ii live even getting a new tank for it.
It's definitely a good buy for anyone who can get CNG.

 
Rep Power: 229

Stock pistons run 9.5:1 so 12:1 gas is pretty high for stock rods.

12:1 is fine for a built N/A car, but that's different.

you would want upgraded rods, engine management and need to run 91-94 octane at all times. Amount other small items like colder spark plugs.

 
Rep Power: 128

Changing pistons wouldn't be too hard for me. I've built a lot of different engines over 30+ years. My newest concern now is these cars run CVT's. I've read these had lots of failures in some years. I'm a bit leery of their longevity.

 
Rep Power: 229

I think the cvt was ok, the regular auto had the failures. (Double check on that though)

 
Rep Power: 512

Older Nissan CVTs had issues. My understanding is they're the ones that gave the CVT a bad rap. The Honda CVT, I've heard read Honda's CVT is actually built pretty well.

 
Rep Power: 128

I had an 05 LX with AT and it needed a rebuild at just under 100K.I ended up unloading the car because I couldn't get the job done for less than $3500. I didn't want to mess with the tranny or the work involved to get another one. Even if I was to have swapped it myself it would have cost me over $2500. I've never been comfortable working on AT's beyond swapping out valve bodies and seals.
I read in other forums that CVT's had lots early failures but just outside the warranty period. They were just about all hybrids though. There weren't too many GX's made anyway and most were used in fleets. That's probably why It's hard to find any owner complaints.
I'd probably buy it were an MT but then my wife wouldn't drive it. At this point I would never buy any 7th gen with AT.
Here's the link to the car if someone wants to get a really low mile 05 for real cheap. All you'd have to do is register to bid. I've bought other stuff there and it was no hassle at all.
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...75&acctid=5859