LS1_78Bandit
03-24-2006, 04:10 PM
I'm looking into fuel tanks for my LS1 into a 78 t/a conversion. I've been doing a bit of searching through the forums and calling around and I seem to have 4 basic options.
1) New SS tank from Rick's Hotrods
2) New OEM-like stamped steel tank from Rock Valley
3) SS tank from Rock Valley
4) Modify existing tank, either in-tank or external corvette-style
My first inclination was to modify the existing tank. From what I gather the in-tank setup is better than the external corvette-style - though the latter seems to be pretty popular, so I wonder how much of a problem it really is ... If I were to do the in-tank, I have a fuel pump from a 4th gen and I was going to do it something like what this guy did:
http://www.people.virginia.edu/~mec2d/ls1swap/firebird.htm (http://www.people.virginia.edu/%7Emec2d/ls1swap/firebird.htm)
Which is similar to the instructions on detail-zone.
But the more I read, the more I'm thinking the starvation issues might be a problem. Which points toward a new tank.
All things being equal, based on comments here and the fact that they're a sponsor, I'd probably go with Rick's. But, things aren't quite equal, at least in $$, so I'd like to figure out if it's worth it.
Rick's: $1300
RV Stamped Steel: $700
RV SS: $1000
(note that apparently the tanks for the 78 are more $$ than other models, even the earlier 2nd gens)
Both Rick's and RV's SS tanks have baffling which is a big bonus. With the RV stamped steel, he puts in a fuel trap around the pump that's supposed to help a lot with keeping fuel around the pump during acceleration/cornering/etc, but it's not as good as baffling.
My application is most likely near 100% street use. But I don't want to preclude the possibility of taking it to the track. With all the effort in suspenion, brakes and drivetrain I'm putting in, it should be a pretty solid racer.
So is the $700+ worth it over modifying my stock tank? Is the extra $300 worth it for the SS RV (between baffling and the fact it's SS). And finally is the additional $300 worth it to go to the Rick's?
I kinda hate asking the question because I like supporting site sponsors, but there's a whole lot I can do with $1300 ...
1) New SS tank from Rick's Hotrods
2) New OEM-like stamped steel tank from Rock Valley
3) SS tank from Rock Valley
4) Modify existing tank, either in-tank or external corvette-style
My first inclination was to modify the existing tank. From what I gather the in-tank setup is better than the external corvette-style - though the latter seems to be pretty popular, so I wonder how much of a problem it really is ... If I were to do the in-tank, I have a fuel pump from a 4th gen and I was going to do it something like what this guy did:
http://www.people.virginia.edu/~mec2d/ls1swap/firebird.htm (http://www.people.virginia.edu/%7Emec2d/ls1swap/firebird.htm)
Which is similar to the instructions on detail-zone.
But the more I read, the more I'm thinking the starvation issues might be a problem. Which points toward a new tank.
All things being equal, based on comments here and the fact that they're a sponsor, I'd probably go with Rick's. But, things aren't quite equal, at least in $$, so I'd like to figure out if it's worth it.
Rick's: $1300
RV Stamped Steel: $700
RV SS: $1000
(note that apparently the tanks for the 78 are more $$ than other models, even the earlier 2nd gens)
Both Rick's and RV's SS tanks have baffling which is a big bonus. With the RV stamped steel, he puts in a fuel trap around the pump that's supposed to help a lot with keeping fuel around the pump during acceleration/cornering/etc, but it's not as good as baffling.
My application is most likely near 100% street use. But I don't want to preclude the possibility of taking it to the track. With all the effort in suspenion, brakes and drivetrain I'm putting in, it should be a pretty solid racer.
So is the $700+ worth it over modifying my stock tank? Is the extra $300 worth it for the SS RV (between baffling and the fact it's SS). And finally is the additional $300 worth it to go to the Rick's?
I kinda hate asking the question because I like supporting site sponsors, but there's a whole lot I can do with $1300 ...