Possible fuel tank option?

[jedi03]

Found this randomly, as we don't have a spare tire maybe an option?

https://www.radiumauto.com/20-0611-...5-Gallon-Spare-Tire-P2321.aspx?ItemId=2669110

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[SeanIsElsewhere]

Found this randomly, as we don't have a spare tire maybe an option?

https://www.radiumauto.com/20-0611-...5-Gallon-Spare-Tire-P2321.aspx?ItemId=2669110

Sick! My brother in law has a Miata race car with a rectangular Radium expansion tank in the trunk. They are built so solid and very high quality ?

 

[jedi03]

Sorry meant as a piggyback to the factory one to extend the capacity?

 

[SeanIsElsewhere]

Sorry meant as a piggyback to the factory one to extend the capacity?

Yep. So they can go longer without filling up

 

[elh0102]

How often are you out of range of a gas station? One thing to consider, you're going to pay over $1,000 and scare away any future potential buyers or dealers.

 

[SeanIsElsewhere]

How often are you out of range of a gas station? One thing to consider, you're going to pay over $1,000 and scare away any future potential buyers or dealers.

For racing to avoid having to fill up more often/pit. Slight weight increase but saves precious time on the track.

 

[elh0102]

For racing to avoid having to fill up more often/pit. Slight weight increase but saves precious time on the track.

Sorry, didn't realize we were discussing a racing application.

 

[jedi03]

I posted for non race...as I had seen complaints from ITS an CTR owners

 

[creaturemachine]

Yet gunna cause more issues than you'll solve. Lay off the throttle.

 

[jedi03]

what sort of issues are you referring to? I know how to properly install a fuel cell...NHRA requirements are great references!

 

[Victorofhavoc]

what sort of issues are you referring to? I know how to properly install a fuel cell...NHRA requirements are great references!

If you're willing to properly install it or you need more consistent fueling at high G, then a fuel cell is the way to go.

Moving to any aftermarket fueling option there's always something that's an unknown and less reliable than stock. Often times it's fuel pump failure, power draw issues, or sensor type issues in newer cars. A lot of amateur racers skip fuel cells and go to a dual pump model where one tank side is an aftermarket pump feeding the factory pump directly on the other side so that it can't ever starve. That's a preferred cheap option due to simplicity in design and keeping the factory equipment for factory reliability.

If you're looking to just extend range, a fuel cell is overkill, and trunk installs can be dangerous/illegal for street use. Better bet would be having someone custom mold a bigger tank and still keep it forward of the rear axle.

 

[jedi03]

i would agree that an improper install with cheap "ebay" pumps would cause issue... a proper install with a reliable brand pump for it would negate all those arguments. Is the axle location to help with balance?

 

[Victorofhavoc]

i would agree that an improper install with cheap "ebay" pumps would cause issue... a proper install with a reliable brand pump for it would negate all those arguments. Is the axle location to help with balance?

Fuel tanks are required to be in front of the rear axle in case you get rear ended. Helps with weight balance, yes, but primarily it's a safety thing. Jeep had a massive recall on this in recent years because they had some models where the fuel tanks went rear of the rear axle and it was prone to fires in accidents.

Nhra doesn't care because they have a greater chance of going head first into a wall or flipping than they do of a rear end collision.

Even with expensive, high end pumps I've seen issues where the pump fails after just 15k miles. Oem pumps are designed to go forever while aftermarket pumps often push specs and fueling volume. Racecar parts especially are consumable and we care about ease of replacing that pump more than its durability. Specifically, having a pump with hats that can be swapped in 15mins or less is beneficial when that pump fails trackside. Not IF it fails, but WHEN. It will fail... Just a question of how far you'll go before it does, and trackside where we're pushing near constant WOT are high duty cycles so they fail faster.

... I have no experience with a street based fuel cell and using aftermarket pumps for street use. I suspect they'd have longer lives typically, but with their servicability oriented designs they will likely need more regular maintenance.

 

[jedi03]

CFR-2014-title49-vol5-sec393-67.pdf says it doesnt need to be in front of it...unless you have different country requirements?

 

[jedi03]

I personally would use either a walbro or a delphi (both oem manufacturers) for a separate pump...i would imagine the biggest downfall would be the extra weight of doing this. But yes legally its not allowed currently

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