FB Fuel cell
 

I have been having problems with my tank and if I keep my car I am gonna look at putting a cell in. I was wouneding what size whould be good? also should I do rollcage first? I have been thinking about maybe preping it for IT. The rules book was kinda confusing bc it looks like they changed alot of rules I wanna make sure I dont do anything not legal. I my even look and having it preped by a local compant. Depends on the price of course.

If you are going to do a cell, make sure you getone that is legal in SCCA. IIRC a cell isn't needed for IT but it is nice for the extra safety they give. One thing with the FB's, a fuel cell has to be installed higher that the stock tank in the chassis to meet the 6" form the ground rule. So there can be a performance advantage with a stock tank but fuel pick up can be a problem.

A 12 gal would be plenty and I think there may be a rule that limits how much bigger than stock it can be. You will probably never burn more than about 4-5 gals in a regular race but enduros are a blast to do and that is where you want as big as you are allowed.

A cage in an FB doesn't really go back as far as where you mount the cell. They kind of can be made to connect with a little extra metal and its good to do it but you could do either first and not compromise the designs. The cage really only needs to go back to where the springs go to the chassis( just inboard of the shock towers) and the cell will be about 6" behind that.

Yea this is kinda the one I am thinking of since it appears to be a little easyer to install.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Summi...spagenameZWD1V

I don't think that Summit one is SCCA legal for classes that require cells. If IT still doesn't require a cell it could be used but not in any other class.

Check out cells from ATL they seem to be the best priced for legal cells. The SA112 would be your best bet.

Ok I made a deal today on getting a cell install today so now I need to pick a cell any help other than the ATL?

Wouldn't you need to put in a bulkhead between the cell and the driver in an FB, too?

A "bulkhead" in this case can be a metal lid that completely covers the top of the fuel cell.

Yes that is my understanding to. But 1 question is is I choice to add a remote filler does that hose ned to be covered to? Not that that is waht I am gint to do right now any way just planing for the futrue.

Anything fuel related that is in the passenger compartment has to be metal/ metal braided line or covered. The best thing to do is keep the fuel system outside of the passenger compartment and you can do what you want.

Cliff notes to a thread I posted a few month back. (Search back a few months under my use name and you can find it)

Cut out the spare tire well leaving a 1/2" of the original material below the rear floor.
Make a round shaped steel panel to tack into the rear floor.
Make an access door directly over the fuel cell filler and hinge it.

Now the entire cell is outside the passenger compartment and easily filled by flipping open the door.

-billy

Ok the cells I am looking at.

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Or

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

or

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

What do you guys think I need to know by friday or monday inorder to get it ASAP.

Read these rules before you buy

All cars must be equipped with a safety fuel cell complying with these specifications, except for Showroom Stock, Touring, Spec Miata, and Improved Touring. All safety fuel cells shall be constructed and certified in accordance with the FIA FT-3 or higher (FT-3.5, FT-5, etc.) specifications. All safety fuel cells shall consist of a foam-filled fuel bladder enclosed in a metal container at minimum.

I don't think any of the three you have listed fit for classes that require a cell. The "FIA" certification is the catch. If you are going to go through the trouble of mounting a cell in the car I'd make sure it fits the rules even if you don't plan to run a higher class right now. Also depending on how you read that rule, it could be that if you do put it a cell, it has to fit the cell requirements. I would call the national office for SCCA if you really want to know for sure. The number is 1-800-770-2055, ask for club racing tech dept.

Do it once, do it right.

Yea but tring to make heads or tails of the rules makes no ssince to me thats why I am asking for help picking 1. I really am only looking for a 12-15 gal name brand new. So any suggestions please give them.

A cell that will meet the SCCA rules for any class is going to run you about $450 plus shipping. Go to this site http://www.atlinc.com/US/racing.html and look for the SA112. It is a 12 gal cell in their Super Saver line and I know a bunch of people that use them. There are very few cells that have a plastic bladder that are legal. ATL had them approved years ago when the FIA rules got tighter, I think they may be the only company that has them that cheap. Most cells that are really expensive(over $900) have a composite fabric "bag" in them instead of a plastic "box".

The reason I say to call SCCA is that in IT you don't need to have a cell so you might be able to run something other than the full FIA cert. units. They may tell if you put in a cell it has to be FIA. The stock tank is a lot lower than you are allowed to mount a cell so if you can save yours, its an advantage.

My tank is gonna be used for taget pratice. I was talking to a former IT racer and since its not required almost any cell will work.

It you ask any five racers about the details of a specific rule, you'll get six different opinions. Don't believe me? Go over to http://www.improvedtouring.com/ and check out the Rules and Regs section of the forum. The fuel cell rule, as it was written at one point, was somewhat ambiguous in terms of what was legal to run in IT.

The advice that you were given is the best - call up the SCCA home office and ask them directly.

Good luck,

-b

I think I am gonna stick with local autocrosses. I was told any of them whould be ok for EM or FP.

jgrewe and others are trying to explain to you - In a SCCA class that does not REQUIRE a fuel cell you can get away with a cheap cell. If the class does require a cell then it must meet the specs.

What they are trying to explain is that even in a situation where you can get away with a cheap cell you should still look into the better equipment.

There is absolutely no reason to swap to a cell for autocross. The plumbing is going to be as much as a cheap cell if not more.

In your first post you mentioned IT prep. A cell is not required. If you are looking for a cheap solution to a tank problem then a replacement stock tank is your answer.

-billy

A stock one is easyer said than done I spent almost $300 getting the stck tank resealed just to have the same problems. So easy fix is to just replace everything. And thats what I am doing. Yes its not the cheap easy way but I ll make sure as much stuff as I can are new.