I thought I would warm this is up, cause the mission starts this weekend.
What do you guys think?

I plan on removing the old tank, and cutting that cargo deal out, then welding in some 20gauge steel straight back.
If all goes well the tank should sit aft the rear axle (where it should have been in the first place!!!).

Measuring up the distance between the frames back there is very promising, and should allow plenty of room.

While I'm there I'll be replacing the fuel lines to a 1/2" aluminum tubing patching into my existing #8 up front. I will also patch into the #8 flex hose coming off the cell.
The filler neck should be interesting. I did order a fast fill adaptor, and I will work this out. I do want to try to keep this below the firewall - well see on that...

That's all fellows, the parts will be here on Friday, and I'm looking forward to sweating my *** off. Oh - I better get some more Darvocet for my back

BTW: It's an RCI Circle track cell, 22 Gallons, measuring 25x17x14...

Ron

 

opps - better make that monday. Looks like Friday is a holiday for Fedex... That's cool I'll be watching the race Saturday night anywho plus It will get me time to pick up a sawsall, and get the old tank out...

Ron

 

show some pics!!!!

 

You bet...Hell I even catalog the removal of the stock tank, since a lot of people do this to change there pump...

Ron

 

The story so far ---

Well, had to do some mods to the tank in order for the quick fill neck to work. weld-weld-cut-cut, and she's ready to go. I also added a sender...

I had the chance to cut the hole out of the back of the car also.
It only took a sawsall, & a rotozip .

On monday I will be picking up the sheet metal to close it up, and maybe a 1/4 piece to protect the rear. I'll probably weld this between the frame.

So far, so good.

BTW: I'll post a pic of the big *** hole in the car tomarrow. It's a view you don't get to see of the rear suspension from the top

Ron

 

sounds like a lot of work, but not anything that couldn't be done. if it were me i'd have the fill inside the deck lid and build a bulk head to seal it from the rest of the car. i doubt if you had beads rolled into the replacement metal did you? that might be something to think about, or some sort of ribbing for extra suport. good luck and keep your fingers away from the saw blades.

 

Thanks, ede...

I actually thought about doing the firewall, but It would of reduced the 3rd gens excellent visibility.
I think keeping the fuel cell on the outside of the car should give the best survival if in the event the cell ruptures.
Granted I move the cell from it's protected cocoon above the rearend (BTW, what are the tools needed J/K), but I'm going to give the back of the tank a little extra attention.

I might also be able to exit the quick fill through the stock opening on the side, but it looks close. I don't want to give up ground clearance to get the angle right. Well see on that...
btw: My goal was at least 10" above the ground.

I'm also considering putting the cell in a steel can...Maybe If I can figure out a mounting strategy, I just might do that.

Yea, I'm defently going to add some sort of reinforcement to steel. The last thing I need, is it to buckle it on the first hard turn...

Oh btw, I only bent one blade on the sawsall, & used up one cutting wheel on the rotozip and not one scare - how about that ...

Ron

 

...1...

 

...2...

Ron

 

damn you might as well back half the car since you've coem this far. just a little more cutting and a few more pieces and you'd have it.

 

You'll love this ede, I'm installing hood pins on the hatch also
I guess you can call them trunk pins?

It's actually working pretty well. All though I only have one in so far.

Someone please take this rotozip from me!!!

Tomarrow I'm going to hunt down some decent costing steel. That steelworks stuff they sale at the hardware store is crazy priced. I mean 55+ bucks for 16ga 24x48!!!!

Ron

 

you can buy a whole sheet, 4'x8' for that from a steel supplier or local fab shop. the thing is most charge you 30 dollars a cut to shear it. i pay around 35 cents a pound for structural steel and they cut it in half for me for free so i can haul it in my truck. plate cost less per pound but has to be sheared unless they have scrap or small pieces i can haul.

 

Is it possible to mount a decent size fuel cell in the well of the hatch, and then seal it? Anyone know of a good fuel cell that would fit down there and/or a cover that can be welded over the hatch well?

 

Would this fit in the hatch well?
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...rt=RCI%2D2161A

 

Maybe three five gallon tanks?

 

you abandone your prodject?

 

ok i dont wanna sound like a n00b, but what is a fuel cell?

 

A fuel cell is a specially reinforced cell (kind of like a gas tank, but stronger) that will not burst (well designed not to) if the car was wrecked. Here's a pic of one from sumimt: