TAG | V3
Here is the extra tank for the Powerstroke that will hold the WVO. It was ordered today. Essentially you get two choices, a tool box style tank that goes in the bed or the one above which fits under the truck instead of a spare tire. This tank includes DFA Designed heat exchanger built inside, feed port, return port, rollover check valve, and venting port.
This is the system ordered that will go in my Powerstroke diesel. I have been getting a lot of questions on how it works and thought i would summerize some info from the manufacturers site here:
- This system has undergone 3 years of development and very rigorous testing to become the most reliable, intuitive and clean installation available for the Ford Powerstroke in the world today.
- This is the only system on the market capable of being fully 100% automatic, or manual with the simple flip of a quality rocker switch.
- Not one drop of vegetable oil ever touches anything in the OEM diesel system except the injectors.
- The truck will start on the stock fuel system until the engine reaches operating temperature and V3 Manifold is over 140. Then the WVO pump comes on and starts building pressure. Once the fuel pressure exceeds 55psi(OEM spec) a pressure switch shuts off the diesel pump and the truck continues to run on WVO, and an indicator light on the system control switch on the dash lights up. Should anything at all happen to cause the fuel pressure to drop below the minimum threshold for the engine, the diesel pump kicks back on to ensure that the engine never loses pressure.
- The system is fully automated. You simply get in drive, and shut the key off. The only way the trucks differs from stock is that if you have been running WVO the truck will continue to run for up to 60 seconds after you turn the key off, kind of like a turbo timer. The purge and shutdown are all timed from us to ensure that all the WVO is purged from the fuel rails, and diesel is run back through the injectors.
- The V3 Manifold is the envy of the industry. This Billet aluminum manifold was designed specifically for this truck. Combined into one modular unit is the WVO pump, prefilter(to protect the pump), adjustable pressure regulator, air separation, Main Filter(2 micron Donaldson), pressure switch, temperature switch, Purge solenoid, and pressure test port. With the air separation there is no need to purge new filters, or worry about trapped air, it is purged automatically. Change your filter and go! And to top it off, this whole manifold has internal coolant passages and is heated with engine coolant, so besides everything else, it is a heat exchanger too.
Learn more about it on the Dino Fuel Site
Using the Dino Fuels website, it looks like the closest installers are near Phoenix AZ or San Francisco CA, both of which are pretty big drives from Los Angeles.
As there are no V3 Vegistroke installers (and while mechanically inclined, I am not qualified) in my local area (Los Angeles CA) it appears that i will be traveling for the install. And if i am traveling for the install, i may as well consider widening my vehicle search as well to get me the best deal or at least the best vehicle for my budget.
The most difficult part of buying a used vehicle remotely, is getting the mechanical inspection and getting an accurate read on the seller as he tells his ownership/ “why i am selling” story (ie, the all important ’seller vibe’). So i guess I will have to add that to my installer criteria.
First i need to see how my Ford Powerstrokes are pricing across the US.
After much reading on diesel trucks and available modifications i ended up selecting the best WVO modification system on the market and backed into the trucks that they support.
My research also lead me to the V3 Veggiestroke system by Dino Fuel Alternatives. The primarily selling points for me are the full automation of the system, the very quick switch over time (so that it will be useful on my shorter drives as well) and the high marks everyone gives them for customer service. As i mention in my blog introduction, i am book smart and experience poor. I expect i am the type that asks alot of questions, these folks sound like they can handle it. The system is likely to cost me around $6k including custom tank, gauges and installation.
The Veggiestroke system supports late model Dodge Ram, late model Ford Excursion and Ford Powerstroke from the mid 90s onward. Given my total budget is around $15k, this leaves about $9k for the truck which will push me back to the late 90s Ford Powerstroke 7.3l.
