Full Version: Fuel Cell (12 gal) vs Stock Tank
Looking for input on using a 12 gallon fuel cell vs stock tank on a Track Day/Autocross and sometimes street driven 3rd gen. Anybody have any experience or advise? I'm concerned about fuel capacity for street use. Are there any slosh concerns on the stock tank for AX or TD use? We are using a carb on a SBC.......
Typically, the factory (non 1LE) 3rd gen tank will have starvation issues starting around the 1/4 tank level, give or take.
I'd go bigger then a 12 gal tank if you plan on any HP or running any bigger tracks. I get by with a 15 gallon cell but I'm only running a 300RWHP 310 cu. in. motor in a light car and we only run 40 minute sprint races max.
I know Dave Algozine had fuel starvation issues during 40 minute races @ Road America on a 15 gallon cell and upgraded to a 22 gal. in his old Mustang.
Also remember, just because the cell is rated at 12 gallon on a level surface, doesn't mean you'll always be able to get that much in it. I have my cell tilted 1" lower F/R and L/R to help with fuel pickup and I don't think I get 15 gals. in it anymore. Also, fuel cells packed full tend to piss fuel out the vent for the first lap or two. People always swear that they don't, but I've been behind enough cars pissing fuel on lap 1 to know otherwise.
I know Dave Algozine had fuel starvation issues during 40 minute races @ Road America on a 15 gallon cell and upgraded to a 22 gal. in his old Mustang.
Also remember, just because the cell is rated at 12 gallon on a level surface, doesn't mean you'll always be able to get that much in it. I have my cell tilted 1" lower F/R and L/R to help with fuel pickup and I don't think I get 15 gals. in it anymore. Also, fuel cells packed full tend to piss fuel out the vent for the first lap or two. People always swear that they don't, but I've been behind enough cars pissing fuel on lap 1 to know otherwise.
QUOTE (nape @ Jul 8 2010, 02:22 PM) 
I'd go bigger then a 12 gal tank if you plan on any HP or running any bigger tracks. I get by with a 15 gallon cell but I'm only running a 300RWHP 310 cu. in. motor in a light car and we only run 40 minute sprint races max.
I know Dave Algozine had fuel starvation issues during 40 minute races @ Road America on a 15 gallon cell and upgraded to a 22 gal. in his old Mustang.
Also remember, just because the cell is rated at 12 gallon on a level surface, doesn't mean you'll always be able to get that much in it. I have my cell tilted 1" lower F/R and L/R to help with fuel pickup and I don't think I get 15 gals. in it anymore. Also, fuel cells packed full tend to piss fuel out the vent for the first lap or two. People always swear that they don't, but I've been behind enough cars pissing fuel on lap 1 to know otherwise.
I know Dave Algozine had fuel starvation issues during 40 minute races @ Road America on a 15 gallon cell and upgraded to a 22 gal. in his old Mustang.
Also remember, just because the cell is rated at 12 gallon on a level surface, doesn't mean you'll always be able to get that much in it. I have my cell tilted 1" lower F/R and L/R to help with fuel pickup and I don't think I get 15 gals. in it anymore. Also, fuel cells packed full tend to piss fuel out the vent for the first lap or two. People always swear that they don't, but I've been behind enough cars pissing fuel on lap 1 to know otherwise.
Ditto, Road America is a dyno test for 40-45 minutes...I'll burn through just 13 gallons for 13 laps plus out lap and cool down. I use an 18 gallon cell and can run with 1 gallon left. I run dual pumps and pickups with duck feet in each corner.
As TJ said, my first win racing in AI was nearly a DNF becasue of a 15 gallon fuel cell at Road America. Sputtered several times in the last lap, but it made it.
If your going to put a cell in, I wouldn't go smaller then an 18 gallon. If your not racing then I'd stick with the stock tank.
If your going to put a cell in, I wouldn't go smaller then an 18 gallon. If your not racing then I'd stick with the stock tank.
Thanks for the input. I figured I could only get about 10 gallons in the cell with foam. It won't ever be a W2W race car because of the cage, mostly AX and flogging on the street and a track day now and then. I think I will just baffle my stock tank, fuel slosh is not cool......
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