I just ran my first points event for the year today, and my efforts over the past few months tinkering under the FD have paid off greatly (aside from some bugs I have to work out).

One of problems arose when I started getting fuel cut/starvation after a heavy corner. Last year, I would have to be running at least 1/3 tank to keep this from happening, but today I put in 1/2 tank and it still chokes!

I'm fed up with it since I've gotten to a point where this will actually affect my times and desperately wish to correct the problem before I blow my motor. I searched the forum on found several options I could go with, and I want to learn more about using a fuel reservoir tank.

...But first things first. Are they legal in SM? The fuel system is pretty liberal in SM, however fuel reservoirs are not allowed in SP (I can't inherit the allowance). I just want to get something definitive before I invest the cash.

Is anyone running such a setup?

TIA

 

The rules allow you to modify your tank or put in a fuel cell (or even a cool can). While reservoirs are not explicitly addressed, I would think you could argue they are still covered under the exisiting allowances, provided you satisfy all the safety related concerns.

-Andy M.

 

How is your fuel delivery setup? Or are you running a fuel cell?

 

I am running a fuel cell (cheapie Summit aluminum one). I put it in the spare tire well, but then had to build a aluminum box around it to since it is in the passenger compartment. Pretty ugly, but redoing it is low on my list of projects. Erik S. has modified his stock tank internally (see other threads on this topic). If your car is still a street car, I'd do the stock tank mods.

-Andy

 

I would also assume that you could have a reservoir in SM based on this fact, however it says there are no reservoirs allowed in SP categories.

 

Do the rules explicitly state that the spare tire area is in the passenger compartment?

I ask because I know that the rules do say that the battery cannot be located in the passenger compartment, but in the case of a 2 seater such as the RX-7, the area behind the seat is not considered to be in the passenger compartment.

Not that I think extra protection around a fuel cell is a bad idea.

 

The point is that the spare tire area still shares the same airspace as the driver. In the event of a fire, having something between you and the tank is a good thing.

As far as the battery, most folks put them inside the storage bins, so they are effectively separated. Using sealed batteries, there's not much to worry about in any case.

-Andy M.