This is a review of the BRC CNG kit - Installed from Positive CNG Fittings(Borivali West)
Specifications of the car: 2006 Baleno VXi(Petrol) with an after market Air Filter.
Contrary to the more popular choice of kits, I decided to have the BRC kit installed(Closed Loop along with the Lambda unit)
Pros:
By my standards, Mr Narendra Jain(Owner of Positive CNG) has a very professional setup with polite staff and efficient service.(highly recommended)
At the time of installation(Oct 2013), the kit cost around INR 26, 000/-+ INR 2, 000/- for the Lambda unit and INR 2, 000/- for RTO passing
Installation was completed on the day itself(within 4-5 hours) and the tuning was checked after a week(at no extra cost)
No modification to the engine, no drilling, no damage. The kit is directly bolted on to the air-intake manifold.
Closed loop with the Lambda unit provides better pickup and more efficient running.(Positive CNG Fitting Center charges almost half the rate for the Lambda unit as compared to other fitment centers)
On Petrol(with AC), the cost per KM was approximately INR 9/-(@9kmpl in city and @13kmpl on the highway)
On CNG(with AC), the cost per KM is approximately INR 2.5/-(@15kmpkg in city and @21kmpkg on the highway)
One way to Pune(200km) with AC and 4 passengers on the expressway within INR 400/-(single seat on a Shivneri bus is INR 350/-)
Zero maintenance. It’s a common misconception that CNG ruins your engine. It doesn’t. However, it’s best to change the engine oil once every 5000kms.
Switch seamlessly between Petrol and CNG when the need arises(eg.: while climbing uphill etc)
CNG produces significantly lower emissions as compared to Petrol or Diesel.
Cons:
RTO registration is mandatory. Ensure it is done within the pre-defined timeframe or risk harassment from the cops.
Initial pick up is slower than Petrol, but the engine runs smoothly even at 150kmph which is more than sufficient for highway driving.
Not enough CNG filling stations on the National Highways and in other states.