Fuel Cell

[2mAn]

I think you ought to have two tanks quoted 17.25x12.5x9.5 out of aluminum!

That seems like it would only be about ~6 gallons. The 8 gallon tanks are about 20x12x8...

The measurements I got of the stock tank were 24x18x6.5

Obviously the length isnt totall accurate because of the angle, but I measured 19" at the top, and about 17" at the bottom, hence the 18 I wrote

[cole455]

I may need to verify my measurements. Going off memory!

[cole455]

Yeah I totally missed the mark. 24.5x17.5x9.75 on my current cell.

[2mAn]

Heres a cut & paste of the email with the quote. Im not too surprised that its a lot of money. Its custom so its always a lot. I didnt think it would exceed the "basic, off-the-shelf" tanks by so much though.

Simon,

I’ve got two quotes for you here, one is for a Bladder assembly that is built to your existing (modified) fuel tank, the other is for building you a complete fuel cell to match the factory geometry. One thing to note is that we would need to do quite a bit of modification to remove the baffles from the factory can, and that is fairly costly work for us to do. I cannot offer an accurate quote on the time it would take to modify your factory tank without having it in hand. We typically bill $85 per hour for fabrication/modification/repair work like this.

Custom Pro Cell Bladder Assembly installed into customer supplied fuel tank (price excludes modification work on supplied can)-- $1,610.00

Includes new Pro Cell bladder, safety baffling foam, nutrings and gaskets.
FIA-FT3 certification good for 5 years from manufacture date, possible recertification available for 2 additional years.
5-year Fuel Safe warranty, excludes electronics
Includes ML6x10RF-225 Fill plate with 2.25” fill neck, an fittings for pickup, return vent and capped sender provision.

Custom Pro Cell Complete Fuel Cell -- $2,446.00

Includes 0.063” aluminum can, Pro Cell bladder, safety baffling foam, nutrings and gaskets.
FIA-FT3 certification good for 5 years from manufacture date, possible recertification available for 2 additional years.
5-year Fuel Safe warranty, excludes electronics.
Includes ML6x10RF-225 Fill plate with 2.25” fill neck, an fittings for pickup, return vent and capped sender provision.
Aluminum can would replicate geometry of factory tank, mount in factory location.

For Custom orders we request a 100% deposit before we begin manufacturing.

Lead time for customs is 3-4 weeks from collection of deposit.

To recreate this bladder to accurately fit the can, we request that the can be shipped here. This will allow us to confirm fitment or to design replacement can from and ship to you completely assembled.

Please ship to:

ATTN: Ben Rogers
Fuel Safe Systems
1550 NE Kingwood Ave
Redmond, OR 97756

Thank you,
Ben Rogers

[2mAn]

I guess its back to the drawing board...

What tanks are you guys using currently? Ive seen a lot of ATL tanks in the pics of the racers

[Alvin]

I guess its back to the drawing board...

What tanks are you guys using currently? Ive seen a lot of ATL tanks in the pics of the racers

Simon, are you positive VARA won't let you run your stock fuel tank?

[2mAn]

Simon, are you positive VARA won't let you run your stock fuel tank?

I am sure I can get away with mine for a little while, but in the rule book, its required. I am sure I will have the same issue with the roll-bar / cage issue. Im sure that as long as Im slow and only there for a few events a year, it wont really be a pain, but eventually they will likely stop me from participating until I am fully legal. Might not be a problem for a while, but since my tank is giving me a headache I figured Id look into doing it correct now.


https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/783610_4 ... caca43.pdf

H.13 FUEL CELLS
An FIA FT-3-1999 or higher rating approved road racing type fuel cell, properly mounted, with a nonvented
filler cap and check valve in the venting system, is required for all cars. This requirement includes
a flexible bladder filled with foam in a metal enclosure. Vent lines shall terminate outside of and below the
car body.

[RCMike]

I am going to tell you based on my (very recent) experience with VARA tech.. No, you cannot run the stock tank. Fuel cell is a go/no go item for them. My new rubber bladder is coming from FuelSafe because the plastic bladder was not flexible enough. Bottom line, you are looking at one of their cells. The good news is you can cut the hole to fit whatever you buy, unlike my car where I had to find one that fit the hole in the car..

[Alvin]

The good news is you can cut the hole to fit whatever you buy

Cut the car??!! By doing this Simon, you will be "thus in a word, devaluing the originality of the cars…just my opinion."

[2mAn]

I am going to tell you based on my (very recent) experience with VARA tech.. No, you cannot run the stock tank. Fuel cell is a go/no go item for them. My new rubber bladder is coming from FuelSafe because the plastic bladder was not flexible enough. Bottom line, you are looking at one of their cells. The good news is you can cut the hole to fit whatever you buy, unlike my car where I had to find one that fit the hole in the car..

The difference is that your car is an established race-car with historical value, mine is just some early 2000 with some period correct hi-po parts. Im really trying to make sure nothing is irreversable, but I figured that the fuel cell is a huge safety item so they will immediately look at that as a reason to stop me from going out...

I have a few that Ive been looking at that are similar to the stock size.
Pyrotect Pyrocell PE108. 8 gallon cell, measuring 20.75' L x 12.12" W x 8.62" H
Fuel Safe - Sportsman. 12 gallon cell measuring 20.75" L x 17.875" W x 9.5" H

Both are around $1000 before you really get wild with the extras. Not sure exactly how the feed & return would look like.

Mike can you post some pics of your setup?

Cut the car??!! By doing this Simon, you will be "thus in a word, devaluing the originality of the cars…just my opinion."

Who are you quoting?

[Alvin]

Cut the car??!! By doing this Simon, you will be "thus in a word, devaluing the originality of the cars…just my opinion."


Who are you quoting?

I will compile a few fuel cell pics with owners you can contact on 311s. Lots of different solutions/brands. But I'm almost positive they require cutting the trunk rather than mounting under. Also, some cars appear to just place the tank inside the trunk, sitting on the intact floor??
to name a few
Ron Carter "ron carter", above?


Another in-trunk fuel cell:




Through the trunk floor:



Through the trunk floor:



Brian Zana "zippy67roadster"



Michael Chandler’s '66--appears to be under

Bart Desirello, "nissantoy"

Brian Sweeney, 12 gallon in trunk!



Phil Mendelovitz

Steve Bonk




will post pics tonight

[RCMike]

Unfortunately it is going to be NEARLY impossible to run in VARA, or any of the other organized vintage clubs, without some permanent changes. Roll bar MUST go to the frame, and you will need door bars. That is not negotiable.

You MUST have the FIA ft3 or whatever fuel cell, with rollover protection on the vent and fill. For VARA it MUST be a flexible bladder. That is also not negotiable, except at VARA U..

Now, anyone with the skill to cut the hole and weld up a roll bar, probably has the skill to return it to the previous state. AKA if you can cut a hole in the trunk and weld in a support for a fuel cell, you can probably cut THAT out and weld in a new trunk floor...

Just my opinion, but they were very clear about what had to happen before Pahrump, or historic race car or not, it was not going on the track..

[RCMike]

As far as pictures, next time I get to Kevin's I will get some photos...

[RCMike]

Ok, Fuel cell pictures..

Not sure they are going to allow this..

IMG_20180201_150123_153.jpg

.

Fresh bladder..

IMG_20180203_160315_863.jpg

.

Cleaned up, and painted..

IMG_20180204_164258_532.jpg

.

In the car..

IMG_20180204_180741_007.jpg

And under the car (With a picture of Ron Carter's race motor)..

IMG_20180204_200457_214.jpg

.


This should work just fine..

[Linda]

Nothing cheap about racing....
Can I get an "Amen"?.....

Linda