Rick's tanks at the track

[RSX302]

It's been a long time waiting...I talk to Hector the other day and it sounds promising that I will get my creation soon. He said it was all tacked up and he was able to stay about 80% to my drawing. Once I get it, I will post pictures of what I can. Looks like the pump is going to be mounted offset in the tank instead of the middle(passenger side). They also made there own version of stainless check balls. Can't wait!

[RSX302]

My Rick's Tank is finely here. Here's some pics....

I think it turned out nice. There are a couple areas I shook my head at, but I think overall I think it will work.

I put some captions verbiage over the issue pictures that I will inform Hector about.






Not sure about the vents at the top corners? They go to the back of the tank up higher then the threaded bungs in front of the tank. I see fuel coming out every time I land on the power or fill to the top. I will try, but I think they will be plugged and a vented from the fuel neck as Mark said.


Problem Photo: Fuel will go right around the sump to the other side of the tank. Should of had a baffle tack welded on each side.


Solution: Stuffed 4" fuel cell foam in 1.5" gap to stop or dramatically slow fuel from going around. Very tight fit..my fingers and arm were sore..shouldn't move.


Unfortunately with the A1000 pump, it wouldn't allow for a second baffle.





More Fuel Cell Foam to help.

[CarlC]

Don't wonder. Do. We like different.

[Flash68]

Very cool Ron. Should be a nice setup with your little tweaks. :D

[formula]

I am in no way bashing rick's or hector as it seems like they build an excellent product and I know on custom jobs it is always a mix of what the customer wants and what you think will work...but do they do much product testing on their own? It sure seems like they are relying a lot on customer input and not much on their own knowledge..or are their tanks designed more for drag or cruising and we're trying to push them beyond what they're designed for?

I may not understand how this part of the business works, as I am totally new to the EFI game, so please forgive me if this is dumb.

[The WidowMaker]

Not sure about the vents at the top corners? They go to the back of the tank up higher then the threaded bungs in front of the tank. I see fuel coming out every time I land on the power or fill to the top. I will try, but I think they will be plugged and a vented from the fuel neck as Mark said.

were you planning on leaving the vents as is, or running an external line from them that went a little higher with a loop?

i would like to see a few more pics of the sump. im not really grasping what it looks like. is that a solid box with a few checkballs? i cant tell if the back is open or not. it looks like a reflection on it though.

[alnoe]

PLease post how well this works. I am on the fence about which tank to buy and don't want to spend a ton of coin for poor results.

Thanks for posting the pics!

Al

[RSX302]

PLease post how well this works. I am on the fence about which tank to buy and don't want to spend a ton of coin for poor results.

Thanks for posting the pics!

Al

If this work (as I think it should after correcting the minor items) It'll be worth it.

I think this design would work even better if an in-tank style pump is mounted on the top, in the middle of the sump. The baffling could go back in that spot where my A1000 sits.

I will absolutely post the results. I plan on testing how low of fuel it can go before it starves. (In all directions---1.2g's)

Oh yea...not cheap $$$... Hector quoted me $1800.. First payment was $900 and I havent seen the second half of the bill yet to see if he gave me any breaks for being so patient. This was without the A1000 pump. I will find out! I think a designers credit! LOL

[RSX302]

were you planning on leaving the vents as is, or running an external line from them that went a little higher with a loop?

i would like to see a few more pics of the sump. im not really grasping what it looks like. is that a solid box with a few checkballs? i cant tell if the back is open or not. it looks like a reflection on it though.

I could probably go in a couple different directions with this. One is the higher external loop as you said or I was think about plugging off one side tank vent (the side I can't get to) and slip a rubber hose inside the tank on the other and run up to the fill neck. Possibly put a very small loop in the neck? I wouldn't think it needs to be very big for vapor venting only?

Yes, it is a solid box that is open to the tank on top. The back was a screw up on there part. It should of had plates there to slow the fuel down. This is why I put the fuel cell foam back there. The idea is when you're in a corner,(either direction) the fuel builds up against the outside of the sump wall and has to flow into the check ball filling the sump. With the pick up and return in the sump box, it keeps the pick up tube submerged in fuel.

I can't get a finished picture of the sump. (sealed up) This is what Hector sent me during the build.

[RSX302]

I am in no way bashing rick's or hector as it seems like they build an excellent product and I know on custom jobs it is always a mix of what the customer wants and what you think will work...but do they do much product testing on their own? It sure seems like they are relying a lot on customer input and not much on their own knowledge..or are their tanks designed more for drag or cruising and we're trying to push them beyond what they're designed for?

I may not understand how this part of the business works, as I am totally new to the EFI game, so please forgive me if this is dumb.

I think you are right...

They have a nich in stainless fabrication, but R&D seems as its up to us. Hector was awesome to work with and very intrested in different methods of fuel control.

I pretty much told Hector that there is a pro-touring community out there that is looking for a EFI factory tank replacement that will handle 1.2g's in all directions. (without starving at lower fuel levels) If we get it right, could equal much more sales.

[Turbo67camaro]

I pretty much told Hector that there is a pro-touring community out there that is looking for a EFI factory tank replacement that will handle 1.2g's in all directions. (without starving at lower fuel levels) If we get it right, could equal much more sales.

Ditto. I'm waiting for a proven design to surface from Rick's. I've been closely following this thread and the latest custom tanks from Mark Stielow and Rick's / Hector. Once one of these designs proves to solve the starvation problems under high g's down to at least 1/8th of a tank, I'll place my order and gladly pay significantly more for it.

[Vegas69]

Mark has it figured out but you won't get his tank. That's on your coin...

[Turbo67camaro]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the feedback, and keep it coming!

Sorry to hear about the smoking turbo.

[RSX302]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the feedback, and keep it coming!

Sorry to hear about the smoking turbo.

Well I was hoping it was only the turbo...Turned out to be much..much more.

Cylinder #2 died on the last Willow Springs outing. Fuel tank testing will need to be postponed a couple months...Sorry everyone...I really feel it's going to work too.

OUCH!!

[CarlC]

That is not good Ron. Detonation?

[RSX302]

That is not good Ron. Detonation?

If it was..I didn't hear it or feel it...

I guess way too much power on a 103 degree day with 91 pump gas.

I will be lowering my compression ratio a little. I also found that it got into the heads a little. Hopefully salvagable?

If not, this may be the time to jump over to a Wegner LS7...

[PhillipM]

If it was..I didn't hear it or feel it...

I guess way too much power on a 103 degree day with 91 pump gas.

I will be lowering my compression ratio a little. I also found that it got into the heads a little. Hopefully salvagable?

If not, this may be the time to jump over to a Wegner LS7...

What compression ratio were you running at? 103 degrees and 91 octane are all we have in Arizona!

[RSX302]

What compression ratio were you running at? 103 degrees and 91 octane are all we have in Arizona!

Cont'd in Power Adder section.

[sqrlnts]

17 year old post revival! Can anyone comment on the current Rick's Tanks stainless design with the ZL1 bucket and corner pickup? This will be going in my 66 Nova max effort GMachine.

[badazz81z28]

17 year old post revival! Can anyone comment on the current Rick's Tanks stainless design with the ZL1 bucket and corner pickup? This will be going in my 66 Nova max effort GMachine.

I run a Ricks tank with the ZL1 pump and these corner pick-ups. No complaints here…I’ve ran the car at the road course and drag strip.