I can't seem to tell a performance difference between a full and empty tank. However, for cornering purposes, I think I'll start making sure my tank is below 1/4 before I autox. Any of you guys do something like this?

 

I start 2-3 days before the event to ensure i have nearly zero gas at the event, and carry a 1 gallon jug with me when i go, fill it up on the way in case i run out or cant make it to the station afterwards.

 

run it on fumes. i've had a couple events were i've pulled into the gas station after the event and had to coast the last few feet to the pump.

nate

 

In the terd Civic, I couldn't have it below a half a tank before it would start to pop and detonate on me.

In the CRX, I run it at around a quarter of a tank.

aj

 

Some people say they experience fuel starvation in turns if the tank is too low, but I don't remember hearing of any Hondas with that problem. I've run with about 2-3 gallons in the tank and had no problem.

 

my crx will fuel starve in long left hand sweepers on the track, never really had it happen on an autox, but never raced below half a tankful. but it will happen im sure if the turn is long enough. once the fuel pump is sucking air, the whole fuel line loses pressure.

 

Yup agreed, Honda's aren't immune to starvation if the fuel load is low and you have a stock pickup/tank. If the cornering-g's are high enough or the corner is sustained long enough, it will happen.

1/4 tank auto-xing should be no problem. while the turns are tighter, they are shorter or there is usually an opposing direction one following it.

1/4 tank at the track is another issue. I needed to start 30min regional races at Sears Pt. with 3/4 - 2/3, or else the final few laps there would be starvation in T7 and T11. Look down at the guage during a turn and it reads empty, park in the paddock right after and its at half....

 

The half-tank fuel starvation on the terd Civic occured on the skidpad.

aj

 

I try to have 1/4 tank in mine when i auto-x.

 

:raises hand: I do. I used to like running with a 1/4 tank or less, to capitalize on the weight advantage. Then one even I show up with about 5/8 of a tank, and I found my car to be a bit more loose and tail happy than usual -- perhaps from the extra rearward ballast. I dunno, but that's how I like to drive it now....

 

 

On a car that doesn't have a lot of adjustment (ride-height, alignment, adjustable shocks and sway bars) I've always run a full tank. The rear end hunkers down a lot easier on the turn and the car doesn't understeer as badly. You can also avoid tank-slappers which aren't such a big deal, but can make handling a little more unpredictable. I've always run with a full tank, spare in the trunk, and jack in the trunk.

When I get my spring rates, rear sway bar, and alignment all sorted out, I shouldn't have to use the gas tank as a way of making the car handle better.

 

Ditto. It weighs less.

 

what about setting up a lil fuel cell for race days? just a thought.... would it cost too much and what not? its just a thought.....

 

probably illegal for most of our classes.

 

For Solo II you want either full or near empty, you don't want sloshing petrol, partial fill makes for very difficult car control.


[Modified by DB1-R81, 7:47 PM 2/25/2003]

 

I run with the fuel light on.

 

I'm so **** I figure out how much I'm going to drive back and forth to work and other activities at the end of one autocross so I can make it to the event on 1/4-1/8 a tank

And I bring a 2-5 gallon jug of fuel with me incase I do run out

Most of the time I can get it right

 

You really can't tell a difference. Maybe its my setup but I could tell a huge difference. I get gas usually several times before an event to ensure I don't have much on the day of the event. If my gas light comes on at the event Its all good.

 

Regarding Honda starvation, the 2g crx loves to do that. Could be the same in autox, but on a track *anything* below half will make it starve. Usually this is good for about 40 minutes of running. On another CRX, we experienced the same thing once you got close to a 1/3rd tank remaining.

edit: for autox, I usually plan for at least enough gas to get me home.


[Modified by Hracer, 10:51 PM 2/25/2003]

 

Could just be my bad track memory but I think mine fuel starves (around 1/3rd of a tank) on _right_ handers. Someone mentioned above about starvation at Sears Point in T7 and T11 - are these rights or lefts?

 

7 and 11 are strong right handers at sears. mine will starve then too, but i also know it will starve at turn 2 at thunderhill, a really long 180 degree left hander.

 

Those are the hairpins at the close and far sides of the track, both right-handers, sustained high-G. These are your textbook turns, 4th gear straights down to 2nd gear turns. So from the braking point until a little after apex, you're basically moving the gas away from the pickup the whole time (front to front-left to left).

I believe the pickup is in the dead-middle-back of the tank (at least on the CRX, everything else would be too I imagine) so there shouldn't be anything favoring stavation on any one side (all things being the same). I would bet if we could run it in reverse (counter-clockwise), it'd starve in the same places which would now be lefts.



[Modified by XrcR6, 1:36 AM 2/26/2003]

 

Yup my 2g CSP CRX would fuel starve at anything below a 1/4 tank on constant left hand turns on the autocross courses. That is just the worst feeling flying through a turn get back on thegas and the car falls flat on its face.

 

maybe I'm too nervous, but can't this burn out your fuel pump? I have a friend with a Vette who toasted his fuel pump by running out of gas. Are they just that much bigger and run hotter or what?