So i'm lost as to what the current rules are in this aspect. From what I gather, fuel cells are allowed, right?

I've seen notes of 5 gal min on some BOTI rules and 2.5 gal min on the Outlaw rules. Are those correct? Any limit on location? Obviously normal safety rules apply as far as fuel cells being inside the car or outside the frame rails, but are there any other rules about location?

 

I think they read "Fuel cells can only be used in a cars running 9 seconds or slower".
Sorry Tony and Brian.

 

100lb wieght penatly for anyone running 8 seconds or faster while using a Fuel Cell is what your Tony. LOL

Back on topic. I've read the same rules! But what about IFO, will you not be attending those events?

 

I don't think it matters for IFO.

 

Tony, the person who has all the answers is not allowed to ask questions. Didn't you get that email?

 

Just trying to liven things up, rule drama usually does it. lol

 

5 gallon fuel cell is permitted in all heads up street classes, must be located behind the drivers seat.

2 locations can be used. 1. in the stock location. and or in the trunk compartment. must follow nhra safety guildlines.

1:5 FUEL SYSTEMS
Location: All fuel tanks, lines, pumps, valves, etc. must be outside
of the driver’s compartment and within the confines of the frame
and/or steel body. Cool cans, fuel-distribution blocks, etc. must be
located at least 6 inches forward of the flywheel/bellhousing area
on rear-wheel-drive (RWD) cars, and on opposite side of
flywheel/bellhousing area on front-wheel-drive (FWD) cars. Fuelpressure-
gauge isolators, with steel-braided line, may be mounted
on firewall.
Tanks: When permitted by class regulations, fuel tanks located
outside body and/or frame must be enclosed in a steel tube frame
constructed of minimum 1 1/4-inch O.D. x .065-inch chrome moly
or .118-inch mild-steel tubing. All fuel tanks must be isolated from
the driver’s compartment by a firewall, completely sealed to
prevent any fuel from entering the driver’s compartment. All fuel
tanks must have a pressure cap and be vented outside of car
body. A positive-locking screw-on fuel-tank cap is mandatory on all
cars. Insulated fuel tanks prohibited. When used, fuel cells must
have a metal box protecting the part of the fuel cell that is outside
of body lines or trunk floor, excluding hose-connection area in rear.
Non-metallic fuel cells or tanks must be grounded to frame.
Lines: All non-OEM fuel lines (including gauge and/or datarecorder
lines) must be metallic, steel-braided or NHRA-accepted
“woven or woven-pushlock.” A maximum of 12 inches total (front to
rear) of non-metallic or non-steel-braided hose is permitted for
connection purposes only; individual injector-nozzle fuel lines are
excluded. Fuel lines (except steel-braided lines) in the
flywheel/bellhousing area must be enclosed in a 16-inch length of
steel tubing, 1/8-inch-minimum wall thickness, securely mounted
as a protection against fuel-line rupture. Fuel lines may not be
routed in the driveshaft tunnel. NHRA-accepted woven or wovenpushlock
fuel lines: Aeroquip FC300, FC332; Aeroquip Star Lite
200; AQP Socketless; Dayco Imperial Nylo-seal tubing; Earl’s
Prolite; Fragola Performance System Series 8000 Push-Lite Race
Hose; Gates LOL Plus; Goodridge 526; Goodridge 710; Russell
Twist-Loc 836 and XRP HS-79. Contact NHRA for updates.
Pumps/Valves: Cars with non-OEM-type mechanical fuel pumps
must have a quick-action fuel-shutoff valve within easy reach of
driver and be located in the main fuel line between the fuel tank
and the carburetor and/or injectors. Fuel-recirculation systems not
part of normal fuel/pump system prohibited.
Fuel/Air: Any method of artificially cooling or heating fuel
prohibited, except for cool cans. Wet towels, rags, ice, etc. must be
removed before vehicle leaves staging area. Intercoolers may be
cooled with nitrous oxide or freon. Liquid intercooler tanks limited
to maximum 3-gallon capacity, may use water/ice ONLY. If located
in driver compartment, must be securely mounted to frame or
frame structure.
Alternative Fuels: Containers for alternative fuels must be
permanently labeled by the manufacturer as suitable for CNG or
32 GENERAL REGULATIONS
propane. Tank must be vented outside of body. Alternative fuel
systems must incorporate pressure-relief valve meeting standards
listed in NFPA 52. Alternative fuel systems must incorporate a
manual shutoff valve according to standards listed in NFPA 52 for
CNG vehicular systems. All hoses/lines used for alternative fuels
must be permanently and distinctively marked by the manufacturer
as to manufacturer name or trademark, service identifier, and
design pressure. Plastic, cast-iron, galvanized, copper, or
aluminum pipe or hoses prohibited.

 

Thanks Jason.

Just to make sure i'm seeing things right, there's no rule against the location for outlaw, right? Just 2.5 gallons min?

 

hope so or im in trouble, we are both on the same page on that one, lol

 

I've been wondering about this my self. i was just gonna start a thread about this exact question cause i had read the boti rule book a few months back when the old rules were still up, and it said 5 gallon fuel were permitted in SP all motor street class? i don't recall seeing that on the rules in 06-07. i could be wrong though.. is there any one running fuel cells in SP?

 

What are some benefits over using a stock gas tank besides having to use a sump and maybe fuel starvation?

 

It would be nice to have both bodies have the same rule. Who's in charge of the rules for outlaw anyways?

 

yes we ran a fuel cell in s/p and s/c the rules are 5 gallon minimium and they have to be located in the stock location of the car!

 

I am running a cell in S/S class with "Pinky".. In the trunk & 5 gallons. Just not 5 gallons every pass.. lol

 

i dont know anything about the outlaw rules, but id say if its a " street class car" keep it a 5 gallon rule. if anyone has seen a 5 gallon cell its quite small.

 

i agree, Parks. keep it a 5gal for the "street cars" and keep it in the back of the car, no front mount fuel cells in street cars

 

anybody got pics of one mounted in the stocker location?

 

I think this is a good point to talk about.... I agree with Dave on this one.

 

dame back to the drawing board, lol

its actually not that bad cause dont think i can fit everything under the hood without being to hard to work on or it might not even all fit

 

Here is a pic of mine in the sedan... Strapped down and vented.

 

I have a 2.5 gal cell mounted in the front fender. It's surrounded by 1.25" tubing per NHRA safety specs. Does this need to be changed/moved? And if you say yes, then pleaase explain why with logical answers, and not just your opinion. I'll be happy to move it if there's some logical reason for me to move it.

 

When was the last time you saw a "street car" with a cell in the front?

I think having a cell is a good idea. Generally speaking, it's' safer than a standard tank, especially when it comes to modding an OEM tank.

I have a question for everyone too.... why can't we use swirl pots or surge tanks in our fuel systems?

 

I do remember in NDRA you could not have and fluid containing cell in front of the tires. At least that is what I was told after I built my air/water tank behind the bumper on the right side.

 

Lol. 2.5 gal cell in a street car. That's going to get far.

 

You guys really need to get over the whole "streetcar" thing. It's clouding your vision. My car looks a lot more "streetcar" than anyone with a downpipe or turbo sticking through the hood. It's not a street car class, its a class based off street cars. You'd be a fool to drive one of these cars on the street, and risk getting into an accident with it. Keep the opinions in check, and give me a logical reason.