The first power to actually succeed in this was the CS, first they gave their eliteist PA's a full overhaul, replacing the Fission engines with Protoculture/Fusion combinations.
The 2nd to finally figure the wonders of Protoculture out was Triax, and shortly Northern Gun and the other Power Armour & Robot dealers followed.
Bonuses for Protoculture Engine swaps in Rifts PAs
The REF usually hires PA Pilots and mercenaries into their forces. When these forces are hired, first the Bio-Maitenance enginers switch the low tech Fission engines for a Protoculture/Cold Fusion combination. These engines are exactly the same as in the new VR-1XX Class Cyclones. Note: For the purposes of Protoculture Upgrades, the Glitter Boy, Glitter Boy Killer, Terror Trooper, and Triax Ulti-Max count as a Power Armours.
Bonuses: +1 to dodge (ground only), auto-dodge (flying only, unmodified roll), +1 to parry, +10 to Power Armour P.S.
Range: 2 protoculture cells power the PA for approximately 12 months before needing refueling. The backup system can operate on 1 protoculture cell for 6 months at no penelty. Constant flying drains the cells twice as quickly for all models. As a final backup the PA can run on fusion power alone for up to 400 miles on a full tank of fuel, but maximum speed is reduced 15% and constant flying is impossible. The fusion engine runs off hydrogen, so any hydrogen-rich liquid (like water or ammonia) can be used for fuel. Extra gas from the fusion engine is released through the exhaust port.
Bonuses for Protoculture Engine swaps in Rifts Robots
Bonuses: +2 to parry, +1 to roll w/ punch, +10 to Robot P.S.
Range: 16 protoculture cells will give the Robot an active combat life of about 2 years. The robot can operate on half as many cells (8) for 12 months, but maximum speed is reduced by half and the robot is at -1 to strike. As a last resort, the robot can operate soley on fusion power, but maximum speed is reduced by 75%, all energy weapons directly linked to the robot cease to function, and it is at -2 to strike and -2 to dodge.
