Larger Gas Tank that is a direct fit?

[MrFishah]

Hey everyone!

We run our car in the 24 Hours of LeMons, and we are debating how we can expand our fuel range by increasing tank capacity.

Obviously one option is a Fuel Cell, but FIA Legal Fuel cells are expensive. Very expensive.

Has anyone ever used a larger OEM fuel tank from another Ford/Mazda/etc that would esssentially attach in the factory location?

Or heard of somebody doing such a thing? Any pitfalls to this idea I should be considering?

Any input would be apreciated. Thanks guys!

[Damkid]

Haven't heard of anything at all that's a direct swap, if there was I would be extremely interested as well because of how short of a range my festiva has with the V6 lol

So I'd say fuel cell is your only option for larger capacity

FYI aspire gas tanks are identical to festiva tanks (same part number)

[TominMO]

Aspire two-door gas tanks are identical, not the four-doors tho.

Another option, possibly: can you pull the stock tank, and by cutting out a section and welding in a larger piece of sheet metal, expand the gas tank that way? (Probably should drain fuel first. )

Edit: Hmmmm, seems Rock Auto only sells the two door (3-door incl. hatch) ones.

[MrFishah]

Aspire two-door gas tanks are identical, not the four-doors tho.

Another option, possibly: can you pull the stock tank, and by cutting out a section and welding in a larger piece of sheet metal, expand the gas tank that way? (Probably should drain fuel first. )

Edit: Hmmmm, seems Rock Auto only sells the two door (3-door incl. hatch) ones.

Unfortunately modifying a factory tank is against the rules and something I probably wouldn't be comfortable with anyway. The rules technically say either unmodified OEM, or Fuel Cell. I'm not sure about unmodified OEM from another car, but it's a rule that might be worth trying to bend.

Does the 4-Door Tank have a larger capacity by any chance? Does anyone have that spec somewhere?

[nitrofarm]

Unfortunately modifying a factory tank is against the rules and something I probably wouldn't be comfortable with anyway. The rules technically say either unmodified OEM, or Fuel Cell. I'm not sure about unmodified OEM from another car, but it's a rule that might be worth trying to bend.

Does the 4-Door Tank have a larger capacity by any chance? Does anyone have that spec somewhere?

I'm 99.9% sure they are the same capacity. Just get a fuel cell,especially if its going to be be for a race car. A 16 gal cell takes up very little space and the you have a great reason to upgrade your pump and lines.

[getnpsi]

Foxbody mustang. I mean i have one on the ground outside where i can get at it to take a quivk measuement. If you have serviced those they are cake, 15.7g if i recall on capacity

[MrFishah]

I'm 99.9% sure they are the same capacity. Just get a fuel cell,especially if its going to be be for a race car. A 16 gal cell takes up very little space and the you have a great reason to upgrade your pump and lines.

A fuel cell that is legal in Lemons, is around $2,000 after everything (FIA cell w/ bladder, foam, pickups, pumps, lines, cell cage, labor, etc). Obviously that would be the best solution, but I was hoping to ghetto engineer something that was still safe and far less expensive

Foxbody mustang. I mean i have one on the ground outside where i can get at it to take a quivk measuement. If you have serviced those they are cake, 15.7g if i recall on capacity

Interesting! If you get a chance can you take some rough measurements for me? And perhaps a picture so I can try to imagine how I would mount it and get at the fuel pump?

Thanks man!

[lessersivad]

Cap off all openings on the tank except 1. Pressurize tank to expand size.

Run oversized fuel line snaked thru the car. Ala Smokey Yunick.

[sc72]

Have you tried Racing Junk for a fuel cell.

[FestYboy]

have you looked into the GLC or 323 tank? IIRC, they are 12 gal units...

[jawbraeka]

Aspire two-door gas tanks are identical, not the four-doors tho.

Another option, possibly: can you pull the stock tank, and by cutting out a section and welding in a larger piece of sheet metal, expand the gas tank that way? (Probably should drain fuel first. )

Edit: Hmmmm, seems Rock Auto only sells the two door (3-door incl. hatch) ones.

I believe that the 4 doors are the same size and i had the same question a while ago about custom/modified/replaement tanks..

[FestYboy]

the 2 and 4 door tanks are the same size (give or take a few tenths), but they will NOT bolt in place due to a change in inlet position (2 doors are on the side of the tank, 4 doors are at the rear of the tank).

that should clear it up.

[jawbraeka]

I believe that the 4 doors are the same size and i had the same question a while ago about custom/modified/replaement tanks..

I did see the toyota hilux tank was square and width looked good, however, length and height was a little questionable.. perhaps you could measure and modify to fit.

http://www.ultimate4wdequipment.com.au/Uploads/Images/img0538(1).jpg

http://www.thelongranger.com.au/Tanks/TR54/toyota_hilux_4x4_tr54_dual_cab_long_ranger_fuel_tank.jpg

http://www.hiluxparts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/-1603232309679083870.jpg

The google search from this was:

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=toyota+hilux+fuel+tank&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Qop9UrOQKYyQiQeQwoHYCw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=685#imgdii=_

there was a toyota/lexus surf tank in there too.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/toyosurfer/fueltank.jpg

not sure if they'll fit but they are looking kinda nice.. hopefully one of these could be fit to our little beasts.??

[nitrofarm]

A fuel cell that is legal in Lemons, is around $2,000 after everything (FIA cell w/ bladder, foam, pickups, pumps, lines, cell cage, labor, etc). Obviously that would be the best solution, but I was hoping to ghetto engineer something that was still safe and far less expensive



Interesting! If you get a chance can you take some rough measurements for me? And perhaps a picture so I can try to imagine how I would mount it and get at the fuel pump?

Thanks man!

They wont let you run a Generic fuel cell from Summit Racing?

[Bert]

Run oversized fuel line snaked thru the car. Ala Smokey Yunick.

Yessir this would definitely be the way to do this. Figure out a way to incorporate oversize pipe into the structure (or maybe use the roll bar/roll cage) of the car. Ought to get you another gallon at least. But you'll wanna make sure the motion shut-off fuel pump switch still works. Good old Smokey always had something novel up his sleeve to defeat whatever new rules came out.