Fuel Cell or stock tank for EFI? Pros? Cons?

[toofun]

OK,

I am wondering what the pros and cons of using a fuel cell over the stock tank for an EFI application. Except for the trunk space I will lose using a fuel cell what are the advantages or disadvantages of each? Does using a fuel cell mean I will have fumes all the time? Is it easier to set up than a stock tank would be? I am trying to find the easiest and least expensive way to get my tank in order for my EFI setup.

"TANKS" (Sorry bad joke!!)

Mark
TOOFUN

[Rolling_Thunder]

you shouldnt get fumes with a fuel cell... usually they are vented through the floor... The pros of a cell... larger capacity (sometimes), sumped for easy fuel pickup.... cons ? loosing trunk space and usually room for a spare tire....

I am currently debating a 20 gallon cell right now... right now i am using a stock tank with a custom pickup tube... in hindsight, the fuel cell would have been quicker and easier....

[sunkistcamaro]

If I had to do it again I probably would put a cell in my car.
I thought I would save money by sumping a new tank.

$100 new tank from ebay
$20 18 ga. sheet metal to make sump.
$20 3 fittings
$45 tank sealer and etch
+ $50 ran out for gas for welder...
+ lots of time.
but I made my sumped gas tank for about $185 less paint and aggravation.

You can get a Summit 20 gallon for $209
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

If you still want to sump your tank and have any questions send me a PM. I think I took pictures.

[rohrt]

I shure would like to see an after market company make a plastic tank thats already setup for EFI, be already contoured for mini-tubbed shackles and have more fuel capacity.

[Goatman]

I had a cell in my old GTO (FAST EFI). It was nice, cheap, and convienent.


The Implala gas tanks supposedly will fit into the 68-72 A-body frames with some work and its plastic and baffled for EFI... They do hang down lower than stock though...

[RSX302]

I really wanted to use the stock tank for the factory look, but I ended up breaking down for a fuel cell. EFI recirc set-ups require fuel at all times. No matter what I did with the stock tank, I couldn't keep the pickup submerged around corners with out sumping and I didn't want the sump sticking out from under the car. I could have gotten a road race tank from Fuel Safe that would have been killer, but the $1500 price tag was hard to swallow for a street car. The poly sump style tanks you can buy for a few hundred dollars are a little better then stock, but have the same problems in the corners. (Even with the fuel cell foam.) With a little ingenuity I build a trap door box within the sump to contain the fuel in hard corners. Works great! 1g long cornering with no issuse.

[MonzaRacer]

As for me I have a tank that had aEFI pump so I intend to cut it apart and retrieve the sump/baffle and then Ill cut my Monza Tank and install it.
Then I get to mod the factory sending unit for an electric pump.
Then i figure on using an adjustable regulator with bypass to keep the pump from working so hard till I get my pwm variable FP controler built. Then I intend to use a pressure sensor and have it maintain fp as its demanded. But anyway till my Fi set up is finished Ill use a tried and true carb.

[Goatman]

And by the time you're done with all that, you could have bought a new Rick's tank , or 50 fuel cells....


I wonder who you'll blame when you wire it half-assed and the pump fails............

[parsonsj]

Yo, goatman: What's with the uncivil attitude? It's uncalled for, and not allowed here. Please edit your post and remove your half-assed comment.

jp

[parsonsj]

As for me, I did neither. I made my own fuel tank. It took 3 tries, but it is baffled (I have literally run the car in tight circles with less than 2 gallons in the tank), light (made from 5052 aluminum), and fits.

I've heard good things about Rick's stuff and Fuel Safe. Rick's is more complete and really a better design for a street car. Internal fuel pump, stainless steel construction, etc. Most fuel cells are designed for external pumps and plumbing.

jp

[hotrdblder]

last i head ricks was around 2k for a fuel injected ready tank!!!!
i would go fuel safe

[Hammered]

The Rick's tank should be about $900. I bought my Rock Valley (essentially the same as Rick's) before Rick's started making their tanks and it was about $800. If you can afford it, it's the way to go although I considered going this route:

http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/pa...=cat/cat61.htm

While not clear from the link, this kit can be used to modify an OEM tank. There was a Super Chevy article on-line showing the conversion of an A-body tank.

[blown69nova]

I tried a stock(modified) tank and an aftermarket stainless tank and had nothing but problems with venting, now I use a Summit alum. cell with a sender and I love it. I hated to give up the trunk space, but this setup has worked flawlessly and is cheap to boot.
Steve

[trapin]

I'm having Rock Valley modify my tank. Never heard of anyone having problems with them. I like the OEM look, and I want a trunk for my two camping chairs and cooler full of Oberon. Car show stuff...you know.

[Damn True]

I will be going with a Fuel Safe cell installed in an "underhung" manner. The sort seen on NASCAR stockers and on Mark's "Lateral-1". This requires minimal loss of trunk space, Fuel Safe & ATL both have LSx ready cells and it offers a tremendous improvement in safety and eliminates a raft of fuel delivery problems. The only sticky bit is getting the fuel into the cell which will require fabbing a filler and cap.

[Rick Dorion]

I'm having Rock Valley modify my tank. Never heard of anyone having problems with them. I like the OEM look, and I want a trunk for my two camping chairs and cooler full of Oberon. Car show stuff...you know.

I like that idea, Tony. Can you share pricing or pm me? Thanks.

[parsonsj]

My tank hangs in the stock location as well. I'm a bit mystified why one wouldn't put the cell or tank or whatever underneath the trunk floor.

jp

[Damn True]

Well the install is worlds easier by simply bolting it to the trunk floor. I think many people are coming from a drag paradigm where that sort of thing is commomplace.

IMO, I want 22ga of fuel as far from the passenger compartment as possible and as low in the car as I can get it.

[jjump59]

I went with Ricks, $1300.00 for the Stealth using my pump and filter. Great piece of work, had a problem with the inlet/outlet position (to close to exhaust) and they fixed it without complaint or cost to me. Great people to deal with and can biuld it however you want. I use an ATL cell in my race car and am happy with them as well.

[Steve1968LS2]

I've heard good things about Rick's stuff and Fuel Safe. Rick's is more complete and really a better design for a street car. Internal fuel pump, stainless steel construction, etc. Most fuel cells are designed for external pumps and plumbing.

jp

Nope, Fuel Safe can easily install and internal pump. They even said, that for an additional fee, that they could put an A1000 in the tank. But I found that thier internal BOSCH pump would be more than adequate.

However, it's not a "bolt in" deal like a stainless Rick's tank.