Bringing this thread back from the dead......

I too have the 12 gallon tank. Ran the car until it started to jerk back and forth. I'm not talking about racing, I'm talking about just idling through the neighbourhood. Barely managed to make it to the closest gas station.

Filled it up and got 11.1 gallons of gas in. (US gallons). Tried to slowly fill it up some more. It clicked off twice. By then it had gone to 11.9 gallons and that was it. No matter how gentle I tried to squeeze in another cent, it wouldn't take any more.

I know the fuel gauges aren't that accurate. But last time I was at 1/4 and filled it up. I got 7.7 gallons of gas.

To further add to the discussion, I have an LT1 4th gen with supposedly the same size gas tank (15.5 gallons), and I can put in well over $50 of gas in it when at the same price, I've yet to even put $40 into the GTA. I wish the GTA had a bigger tank like the '94 Camaro does.

I know if I park my car where the LH rear tire is higher than the rest of the car I get more gasoline in it than if the car is level or any other attitude...

John

All I know is that... I've still got 3 gallons of gas left when my fuel guage is showing E. And my ex looked very sexy eating popcorn with thongs on too. Almost as sexy as when she would fill my gas tank up at Shell in a racing suit...

I think this post pretty much sums it up. I had the similar thing happen in my previous post in this thread. Except that I made it to the station and got 11.9 gallons. So I had 0.3 gallons left whereas he didn't.

These tanks are 12 gallons.

There is no way you're going to put another 25% into my gas tank after it's clicked off. Some people mention only pulling the gas lever 1/3 as much. I tried just getting a few more cents of gasoline in. Nothing. It's filled as much as it will take.

The one thing I've noticed from this thread is that all the people with smaller tanks are either from the northern US states or from Canada (me). I wonder if there was a different tank for northern bound cars.

To state what I said before. The L98 and LT1 cars of mine are totally different when filling up. The LT1 has a much much larger fuel tank.

if somebody has a Chilton manual (I lost mine), it has the gas tank capacity's in it, they vary depending on year and engine code from (IIRC)11-16.5 gal, I have an 84 Z-28, that originally had a H code 305, and it has a 16 gal. tank (according to the Chilton man.), it was completely emptied out when I joined the AF, and it took 16.3 gal to fill it until it clicked off from bone dry, and I put another .3 gal in it to top it off, it reg. takes 13 or 14 gal. on a normal fill up.

Berlinettas have a low gas light. I refill when the light comes on and only manage about 12 gallons.

The mystery of the fuel tank size lives on. Looking at the chart, all 89's have 59 litre tanks. Yet I've seen a gas receipt for an 89 GTA showing 61 litres of gas. It had air conditioning, so it wasn't a 1LE.

My 89 GTA? 45 litres. Tops.

One thing that I can think of is the Filler tube will hold a little gas, it may explain 2 litres as its pretty big, and a PITA to get out of the car. I do not think they calculate the filler tube in the tank size calculation...

Besides Here in the states they actually understimate things like that because the majority of US citizens prefer to have a buffer...

Another possibility is the gas station ripped you off and they were over charging you for gas, its not unheard of...

I used to have an 87 firebird with a v6 that had a 12 gallon tank, until the fuel pump died. Then I could put 15.6 gallons in it, to the first click of the fuel nozzle.

The lower fuel pickup sock had fallen off the fuel pump...seems when they do that, they start to suck air when there's about 3 gallons left in the tank.

12+3=15. Mystery solved. Someone buy me a beer.

I suppose that could very well be possible. My GTA has had a small tank from day 1. 1989.

It really only proves that there is one alternate explanation. It doesn't disprove the existence of 12 gallon tanks...but then again, it is much easier to prove something "IS" than to prove that it "ISN'T"

this is a bit off topic but dont the 1LE tanks have baffles inside them?

the 1LE tanks are suposed to have some sort of baffling, If you look at the above list this only applies to 1988 & 1989 1LE's ONLY as the 1990 - 1991 Tanks (1992 not shown) used the same tanks as the 1988 & 1989 1LE tanks...

I suspect the baffeling is incorperated into the sump system somehow with the Fuel pump pickup & all... I have a few tanks and they all appear to be the same... If the above information is correct, the Tank I ahve on my 91 parts car should have baffeling if its not on the pickup... Does anyone actually have a picture of inside a tank with the baffles?

OK...OK...OK... Mystery solved,

1) Look at Tank sizes, you find that the the Largest was 64 Liter its part number is 10042326 (1985)
2) Look at the 1986 & 1987 Fuel tank size, it is 59 Liters, for the same PART NUMBER 10042326... The only differences was in 1986 & 1987 some LG4 & L69 cars used an in-tank fuel pump, which could explain the difference in volume...

I think that pretty much sums it up. If you follow the cars WITHOUT the In-tank fuel pump they have larger capacities because there is no in-tank fuel pump... Apparently there was different size pumps, but for the most part all of the tanks were about the same intial size...



JOhn

okfoz, a good eye indeed to pick up on that.

But I still wonder why two 1989 GTA's (mine and BC GTA's) have such drastically different volumes. His is an LB9, mine is an L98. Both Canadian models if that makes any difference. I asked him at a car show one time if he had the small tank like mine and he pulled out his receipt. I couldn't believe it. 61 litres (16.1 gallons) while mine is usually around 40 litres for a fill up, 45 at the most (12 gallons.)

I don't think it's a 305 vs 350 thing as the varying amount of people on this site have big and small tanks. There seems to be no pattern that I've detected so far.

86 Trans Am here... I can usually only fit $40 in my tank at close to $4 a gallon. I can run off of that for almost a full week and that's with a 4 barrel 305. lol. I'm a tad scared to try and fit more than $40 in, because I'm not sure that if I just let it go if it will even cut off when it's full. lol.

I hear ya. I was filling up the gas tank on an Oldsmobile Cutlass back in 1986. I wound up overfilling it and absolutely soaking myself in gasoline.

the only thing different about the 1LE tank was the baffles were deeper. like twice as deep as a regular tank. It's actually a sump built into the tank.

also, the 1LE fuel sock was double ended, rather than single ended.

Then with the big 1990 gas tank recall, all the cars got the better tank.

There was no swinging pickup, and no 18 gallon tank. That was all hype.

thats intresting i can fill my 88 camaro sc 305 tbi up to 16 gal. $40 got me a lil under 10 gal.

My 91 camaro 3.1 has a 16 gallon


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15.5 US gallon standard tank size.

Ok, this whole gas tank size thing is completely and utterly confusing. I've seen different capacities in different locations. This is as confusing as the fact that the gas tank was replaced in a Plymouth we used to have and the gas capacity must have lost about 6 gallons along with full use of the gauge (no, I'm not kidding, completely full was only 3/4 of the gauge and completely empty was 1/4)...

All I know is that my tank (87 V6 tank) takes 12 gallons from 1/4 to completely full (I pump it until it won't take any more). And, when I drained it by pumping the rest (that I could pump out) from 1/4 tank, I got about 4 gallons or so out of it, after I'm sure a lot evaporated out due to disconnected lines and such. There was still a bit in the bottom of the tank the EPA would shoot me if they knew I let evaporate out.

Also, supposedly, if you overfill the tank, some may end up getting into the charcoal canister and ruining it...

Bone dry then fill to recomended level is 15.5 gallons on all tanks.
The parts books have different liter amounts listed but I honestly think they are not correct.
I don't see how the addition of a electric fuel pump can take away a lil over a gallon of fuel.
I would just bet the recomended fill level is different for the export tanks even tho they are all the same size.

I AM SO CONFUSED, IM BUIDING A 10 SEC. CAR AND IM SO CONFUSED ABOUT THE FUEL SENDER AND PICK-UP,,,,,,,,,,, SHOULD I JUST PUT A SUMP ON IT ? THERE ARE 4 LINES GOING TO IT, I HAVE A 92 CAMARO , ITS GONNA BE CARBURETED. ANYONE PLEASE HELP,,,,,,,,, BY THE WAY , I WILL TALK TO SOMEONE THAT KNOWS ALL ABOUT THIS AND PAY FOR THE WHOLE KIT,,,,,,,,,,, AND DOES ANYONE HAVE A 82-92 TANK WITH A SUMP AND SENDING UNIT FOR SALE ? THANKS

Your caps lock button seems to be stuck on.

Your 4 lines...

1) is your fuel supply
2) is the return line
3) is the breather
4) is the emissions

I might be wrong, but that is what I recall.

Also, just an FYI, the caps lock is just to the left of the A on your keyboard.

John

I am so sorry about the caps lock button being on, but thanks for the advice, it did help me out. kevin.

I have an aftermarket EFI fuel pump. I have been wondering why the hell my camaro has a 12ish gallon gas tank. I had it puke on me trying to force more gas in (I have to drive 20 miles round trip for 92 octane)

Well, whatever the hell, these small tanks suck LOL. I'm averaging 8.35mpg so it really eats me up I'm missing a few gallons. haha.

take a Gas Can along with you, get an extra 5 or 6 gallons to go

I Know I am a smart ---

John

Funny, I came across this thread and my window sticker for my 82 Z-28 says it has a 16.0 gal tank but when I just bought my car a new fuel tank that is made by Spectre it is listed as 14.0 gal for all 82-92. I read here 15.5 gal so I guess I will find out when I finally put the new tank in with the new fuel pump in for my fuel injection setup.

Does anyone know the capacity of a 4th gen tank? I hear they fit... the filler tube is slightly shorter from what I have been told, they are also made of plastic (better for a fuel tank IMHO)

John

4th gen gas tank capacity is...15.5 US gals.

Thanks

legally stolen??!! what are you a cop?? damn blue meanies

NSA tracking device in your tank.

LOL

ding ding ding we have a winner...

The impression I got from that was a ridiculously cheap price.

So if I read that post from Aperion right, there were 17 gallon tanks, but only in exports? It would be nice to squeeze a couple more gallons in. Besides, there's just something that feels wrong about filling up for $40 these days.

bout 10 gallons is as far as i can go without stopping to stretch the legs or a bathroom break... the extra 5-6 gallons is just gravy heh

14gal tank here, usually fills up for about $45 right now for 11gallons at 1/4 on gauge.

On my last fill up, I was able to put in 17.3 gallons in my 91. so I figure I have the 16.5 gallon tank and filled up the neck lol.

my 86 IROC has a 16 gallon tank.