I have this 5 gallon fuel cell that i am thinking about putting into my 91 hatch. Right now I do AutoX and HPDE events with the car. Now I dont want to go through the hassle of putting in this fuel cell unless I am going to be dropping some weight from it. I think its a 5 gallon fuel cell. All steel braided lines and big aeromotive fuel pump which is very heavy. Fuel cell is light, but i dont know how much a stock gas tank weights.

 

i was never under the impression that the purpose of a fuel cell was to drop weight, but was primarily for safety purposes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tnord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i was never under the impression that the purpose of a fuel cell was to drop weight, but was primarily for safety purposes.</TD></TR></TABLE>

What makes a aftermarket fuel cell more safe than a stock gas tank?

 

because there is usually a sort of foam material on the inside such that in a crash, should the metal part crack or break, the fuel doesn't go flying everywhere, but for the most part stays inside the cell because it is absorbed by the foam.

think of it like a big sponge, the water is in there, but you have to squeeze it to get it out.

 

Puncture resistance and fire safety are the primary functions of a fuel cell, but an added advantage is a slight weight loss. Even with the big pump and all the lines it should still weigh a significant amount less. Especially if you do it right and remove all the factory lines and other gas tank related items that are no longer necessary...filler neck, emissions valves and all related brackets.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tnord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">because there is usually a sort of foam material on the inside such that in a crash, should the metal part crack or break, the fuel doesn't go flying everywhere, but for the most part stays inside the cell because it is absorbed by the foam.

think of it like a big sponge, the water is in there, but you have to squeeze it to get it out.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kndaqikEG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Puncture resistance and fire safety are the primary functions of a fuel cell, but an added advantage is a slight weight loss. Even with the big pump and all the lines it should still weigh a significant amount less. Especially if you do it right and remove all the factory lines and other gas tank related items that are no longer necessary...filler neck, emissions valves and all related brackets. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks

 

You will probably only save a few pounds. The stock tank isn't all that heavy.....

Installing a fuel cell is a task that shouldn't be taken lightly. Make sure it is installed properly or you will just be increasing the chance of fire or fuel issues.

5 gallon is too small IMO.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jisu009 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">5 gallon is too small IMO.</TD></TR></TABLE>

For real-- if 1 gallon is useless because you start to starve, then it's effectively a 4 gallon tank. That means 40 track miles (+/- 10), which at an average speed of 80 MPH gets you a half hour session and you're out of gas. Someday you might want to run 45 minutes?

Edit: yes the numbers used are gross, rough estimates. Just making a point that you might want to calculate how much time you really want to be able to run?

 

5 gallons x 6.5 pounds/gallon = 32.5 pounds

In a 30g hit - and Renee Hines' hit at the ARRC was probably twice that - that little box essentially weighs almost 1000 pounds. You should be able to jump up and down on whatever structure holds it in.

You'll probably save a few pounds.

K

 

That tank isnt FIA FT3 approved and probably would not be allowed by SCCA or NASA

 

Any gain in safety from the design of the fuel cell is quickly negated by stupid installation. 9 of the 10 cells I have seen make me think stock is much safer. ESP in a Honda, where the tank is under the car in front of the rear axle.

I personally wouldn't run a cell in a hatch kind of car unless I was forced by the rules of the series.

Get it installed by some1 who knows what they are doing.

 

I think I am actually going to sell it

To much hassle and its not going to make the car much safer or much lighter. And carries not enough gas to do me a 45 minutes session. So I rather just sell it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Power Rev Racing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think I am actually going to sell it

To much hassle and its not going to make the car much safer or much lighter. And carries not enough gas to do me a 45 minutes session. So I rather just sell it.</TD></TR></TABLE> I really need to stop over and take a look at that car, all my time running around 305 (or lack there of) and I have yet to make time.....