Anyone have a fuel cell in their trunk?

[blykins]

I was thinking about using a fuel cell instead of a regular gas tank...I want a rather large one....maybe 18-20 gallons, and the way my car is setup, I can't find one to fit in the space I need. So I figured I would see about just sticking it in the trunk.

So does anyone have this setup? Are you using the Lemans gas cap & filler hose to fill up? Does it take up all the trunk space?

[maxrpm]

I'm using a 16 gal. Jaz foam filled fuel cell w/rollover protection in the trunk along with the battery box. They do take up space but I can still fit two folding chairs in there along with a small duffelbag for some sweatshirts, car wax, helmet and whatever once I take out the donut spare. I laid the cell on a rubber insulator on the trunk floor with the center sump mounted through the floorpan. I did give some thought to partially recessing the cell into the floor but I didn't want it visible from behind in any way. I originally connected the cell to the LeMans cap but disconnected the filler tube after a few close calls with these springloaded gas pump nozzles around the body plus fears of dripping fuel onto the paint. I also installed a steel firewall between the trunk area and cockpit behind the seats.
Ed

[thorconstr]

Fuel Safe will convert your existing tank into a fuel cell.
www.fuelsafe.com That way you will still have some trunk space.

[blykins]

Well my initial reasons for using a fuel cell was 1. Safety and 2. Shell Valley asks around $360 for a 16 gallon gas tank for their cars. As you may know, you can get a 18-20 gallon fuel cell for around $150-$170. The only problem is it takes up the trunk space.

I looked at some of Fuel Safe's stuff....but even their small fuel cells are over $200. I can't imagine what it would cost to custom build one or modify a gas tank.

[scottj]

A custom Fuel Safe or ATL is expensive. I have a standard 22 gallon Fuel Safe and it was over $800.00. It sits in a cradle made from 1" sq tubing and is contained between the frame rails. I had to cut a hole in the floor of the trunk to accommodate the height.

I have watched too many Cobras and drivers burn to skimp in this area.
Scott

[RACER X #99]

Fuel cell should be mounted a low as possible, your carring a lot of weight and all that fuel up high in the trunk will make a poor handling Cobra a lousy handling Cobra.
Just take a look at the Trans Am and Cup cars and notice how low the fuel cell is mounted.
I also agree with Scott, mount the cell between the frame rails not under it.

Cranky

[Carroll DeWeese]

I have a fuel cell. It is inside my gas tank. I agree that the placement should be low, not in the trunk. The lower your center of gravity the better.

[HighPlainsDrifter]

Hi,
I 'had' a Harwood fuel cell in the trunk for 3 years and took it out,had to open trunk to fill it. There was no room for the usual stuff me and the Mrs. drag along on trips. I had an aluminum fuel tank built for under the trunk by a shop with a certified aircraft welder and hooked it up to the lemans cap filler. Much happier now.The weight is lower and yes it did make a difference, picked up a tenth on my 60' times to 1.66 seconds, not bad for a smogger Lincoln motor.
Perry.

[rbray]

I have a 15 gal from fuel safe in my car. I am able to use the normal Lemans cap to fill it.
Mine is mound low on the frame rails as well

[misfit41]

What about a gas guage with the fuel cell ? Tim

[blykins]

Tim, they (at least Jaz) makes fuel cells with sending unit provisions...that shouldn't be a problem. The only thing I hate is that most of the fuel cells have the filler right dead center of the stupid thing....so you would have to run your filler hose from the gas cap to the middle of the trunk...Even if the cell was mounted underneath, this would still kill all your trunk space.

[maxrpm]

The 16 gal Jaz cell I installed has a sender and center sump/pickup that actually hangs down between the framerails and I don't go racing with a full load of fuel in the tank, who does? plus the foam bladder minimizes any fuelsloshing my 5 gallons may attempt during raceday. I initially used the Jaz filler neck hooked to the LeMans cap and still had enough room for essentials in the trunk. I only did away with the cap being functional because of my hangups with dripping fuel on the paint and the stupid springloaded filler nozzles that were always trying to take a bite out of my bodywork. Also, the bottom part of those handles comes way too close to the body for my liking. The only person who knows my cap is a showpiece is me, you and anyone else who reads this. Even when someone pops the cap they can't see past the springloaded flap in the fillerneck. When I had the Jaz filler on the cell it I faced it toward the right rear corner of the trunk and fabricated the filler tube so it was low and out of the way.

[blykins]

Good idea, Max.....How long does a 16 gallon cell last you? I know we don't go on cross-country cruises, but does it seem to last a pretty good while?

If you ever get bored and decide you need to snap some pics, I'd appreciate a trunk shot. :-)

[Curt C.]

I went the custom route with Fuel Safe. Like you, I could not find an off the shelf unit that would fit and not require hacking into the trunk. The cost is very high - $1,200 in my case for a 22 gallon aluminum unit with rollover valves, sending unit, and provisions for vent and return lines. It obviously fits in the stock location and utilizes the filler cap the same way the old one did. You can see a pic of it in my gallery. I open track the car and want to be as safe as possible. Being upside down watching the gas pool around your head would just suck.

[maxrpm]

Well, fuel usage depends on whether my wife is in the car while I'm out cruising... We've taken two hour rides without having to stop. But then again I've burned thru 5 gallons in twenty minutes. I wish I had a digital cam. I would have posted some pics already for you. I'm in the dark ages in the electronic gagets area. I have to bring pics to my sisters house so she can scan & e-mail them back. If your Shell Valley trunk hasn't changed from my 1990 design the cell should sit approx 1/2" lower than the rear axle 'hump' The cell I used is 26"w x18"x 9"deep with a 2" sump with rollover protection and there's a 7" space between the cell and the trunk latch mech. area. 15" area to the left 18" on the right which is where I mounted the battery box. I don't know what others need to carry in their Cobras trunk but my 2 folding chairs and duffelbag of sweatshirts/jackets and sack of emergency flares, emergency tools & emergency cleaners are all I need. Whew! like they say 'a picture's worth a thousand words' I think I may have hit 1000...Hope this helps ya.
Ed

[blykins]

I think your car may be a little different than mine. I went and measured between the frame rails where the gas tank would ride...it's only 23". I guess they may have changed the design a little. I'm sure I can find one that will fit though.

Thanks for all your help.

[thorconstr]

Originally posted by Curt C.


The cost is very high - $1,200. Being upside down watching the gas pool around your head would just suck.

I think you will all agree that given the scenario described by Curt, $1,200 is peanuts. When you figure it against the price of you car ($40,000 or more) it works out to be 2% to 3% of the total. Pretty cheap peace of mind.

[RACER X #99]

here is a picture, #14 of an ATL fuel cell in a Cobra. Check out their site for more info.


http://www.atlinc.com/fuelcell.htm