Kevin91Z
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Mar 23, 2026
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Its been a rumor that 1LE's got the 18 gallon gas tank, and some other people said they dont, its the regular 16 gallon. Well here's what one guy did:
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West Coast GM Shootout 2001!
1991 Camaro Z28
5.7L 5-Speed (originally 305)
13.25 @ 107.18 MPH
Southern California
Member: SoCal 3rd Gen F-Bodies
Webmaster: SoCal F-Bodies
-=ICON Motorsports=-
Quote:
When I posted my 91 1LE TA for sale, there seemed to be some folks who
were quite certain that I was mistaken about the 18 gallon fuel tank in
my car.
I was pretty sure about it because I remembered putting in more than 16
gallons a few times. But, I did a test you trivia buffs might be
interested in.
I drove the car until it began to spit and sputter from being out of
fuel and did in fact have to stop the car because it was OUT of gas.
OK, maybe there was a few ounces sloshing around the fuel pickups can't
get to, I can't argue about that.
I put in .8 gallons and drove five miles to a gas station. I then put
18.05 gallons in at the gas station. Seems to me that unless it leaked
out (which it didn't) or the gas pump metering device is way off... that
this car has a fuel tank that holds somewhere between 18.05 and 18.5
gallons, give or take a few ounces..
I'll let you draw your own conclusions though.
The car, complete with 1LE 18.5 gallon fuel tank, is still for sale!
Take care,
Miles
mti@concentric.net
When I posted my 91 1LE TA for sale, there seemed to be some folks who
were quite certain that I was mistaken about the 18 gallon fuel tank in
my car.
I was pretty sure about it because I remembered putting in more than 16
gallons a few times. But, I did a test you trivia buffs might be
interested in.
I drove the car until it began to spit and sputter from being out of
fuel and did in fact have to stop the car because it was OUT of gas.
OK, maybe there was a few ounces sloshing around the fuel pickups can't
get to, I can't argue about that.
I put in .8 gallons and drove five miles to a gas station. I then put
18.05 gallons in at the gas station. Seems to me that unless it leaked
out (which it didn't) or the gas pump metering device is way off... that
this car has a fuel tank that holds somewhere between 18.05 and 18.5
gallons, give or take a few ounces..
I'll let you draw your own conclusions though.
The car, complete with 1LE 18.5 gallon fuel tank, is still for sale!
Take care,
Miles
mti@concentric.net
------------------
West Coast GM Shootout 2001!
1991 Camaro Z28
5.7L 5-Speed (originally 305)
13.25 @ 107.18 MPH
Southern California
Member: SoCal 3rd Gen F-Bodies
Webmaster: SoCal F-Bodies
-=ICON Motorsports=-
Drew
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May 4, 2026
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There was a 1LE Trans Am on ebay last week, the guy had scans of the window sticker... on the window sticker it had listed "specific fuel tank w/high wall resevoir" and "specific fuel sender assembly" and "wide strainer fuel pump".
To me this neither confirms or denies the existence of a specific 1LE gastank, but I'd say its a pretty good indicator that they were made.
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Drew
The lone Thirdgenner of the Apocalypse
predatorman@hotmail.com
My Website
87 Iroc
91 Formula 14.3@98mph
91 RS Convertible
91 Firebird V6
92 S10
98 Grand Am GT
To me this neither confirms or denies the existence of a specific 1LE gastank, but I'd say its a pretty good indicator that they were made.
------------------
Drew
The lone Thirdgenner of the Apocalypse
predatorman@hotmail.com
My Website
87 Iroc
91 Formula 14.3@98mph
91 RS Convertible
91 Firebird V6
92 S10
98 Grand Am GT
Kevin91Z
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Mar 23, 2026
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It was probably the same guy.
Supreme Member
1LE specific gas tanks do exist.
-They were 18 gallons to sqeeze a few more laps before refueling was needed.
-Baffles were welded on the bottom near the fuel pump to prevent fuel starvation on right hand turns when the level was low.
-Different fuel pump than stock was used. Heavier windings in the motor to prevent overheating and fuel pump failure. (We all know how much fun it is to change a 3rdgen fuel pump!!)
Why they did not make this tank standard issue is beyond me.
-They were 18 gallons to sqeeze a few more laps before refueling was needed.
-Baffles were welded on the bottom near the fuel pump to prevent fuel starvation on right hand turns when the level was low.
-Different fuel pump than stock was used. Heavier windings in the motor to prevent overheating and fuel pump failure. (We all know how much fun it is to change a 3rdgen fuel pump!!)
Why they did not make this tank standard issue is beyond me.
go to any dealership, and you'll never find an 18 gallon tank. believe me I TRIED. They have a baffled tank, but it is still 15.x gallons. 18 gallon was a hoax.
Member
I concur with Larry.The 18 gallon tank may have been on the very early 1LE's.My 1LE will
only take a little over 15 gallons.
Gregg
1991 Z28 1LE http://www.1le.org
only take a little over 15 gallons.
Gregg
1991 Z28 1LE http://www.1le.org