Fuel Cell in 1st gen RX7

[titanium]

I will be replacing my current fuel cell. (12 gallon, oval track type) I am thinking of buying a 15 gallon Fuel Safe Enduro unit. (screw-on cap, w/surge tank)
I plan on mounting it in the same location, (under the floor of the rear hatch area, spare tire well cut-out, replaced w/sheet aluminum)
My questions: What are you running for a cell? How/where did you mount the cell? Who has the best price on the Fuel Safe cells? Are you using the return line? if so, how did you hook it up?
*****************************************
Rodney Williamson
#93 IT7
www.titaniummotorsports.com (http://www.titaniummotorsports.com)

hi rodney, i welded 1 1/2" square tubing between the frame rails and used 1/4 x 1" strap or flatbar to secure it as well as using 4 of the tank can bolt holes to bolt it to the tubing for locaters to keep it from moving.


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Daryl Brightwell
ITA RX7 #11
SFR, NORPAC
ITA RX7 #77
CSCC, SOPAC
E/P BOTH SOON

[RX767]

Originally posted by titanium:"I will be replacing my current fuel cell. (12 gallon, oval track type) I am thinking of buying a 15 gallon Fuel Safe Enduro unit. (screw-on cap, w/surge tank) I plan on mounting it in the same location, (under the floor of the rear hatch area, spare tire well cut-out,replaced w/sheet aluminum)
My questions: What are you running for a cell? How/where did you mount the cell? Who has the best price on the Fuel Safe cells? Are you using the return line? if so, how did you hook it up?"

Rodney,
I am using a 15 gallon Fuel Safe cell, steel container, with the surge tank option.($533 including shipping from Racers Wholesale Parts) I used AN6 Aeroquip braided line -to- a Carter fuel pump -to- an inline screen filter -to- the fuel regualtor -to- the "Yawified" Carb. On the return, I used 4AN from the carb -to- a capped off T that serves as the test port -to- the cell. I ran the lines under the car essentially following the stock location to stay away from exhaust heat and I do not think it is a good idea to run fuel through the inside of the car.
To position the cell under the car took some effort since this size (15 gal.) is a tight fit. I welded box steel between the frame rails. I positioned the cell as far back to the the back rail and as far over to the driver side rail. Since the driver side rail angles in as it travel toward the front of the car, I had to remove of the corner bolts holding the container together and grind maybe half inch of metal off the corner to get a good fit.
The cell is held to the box steel by a cage I built from L-channel. I attach the cage with four long grade 8 bolts that travel from the cage through the box steel into the car.
Last Fall, I posted a question regarding mounting a fuel cell and Rick Thompson responded with the recommendation of building a cage out of one inch box steel to protect the cell. If I remember correctly, he had snapped a rear axle and this cage became the only thing between the track and the cell. I had already constucted mine by the time he had posted, but I may build one from box steel later since it is stronger.

I hope this helps.

Bill Emery
Glen Region
ITA#23

[rlekun]

I also used the RPW 15 gal cell. I removed the round part of the spare tire well. Like those above, I welded 1" box steel side to side between frame rails. THE KEY DECISION you need to make is how how you want the cell and the fittings on top to sit. I decided I wanted to have the rear deck floor flat, and not have to fabricate some type of box to cover the fittings and filler tube. So I trial fitted the cell with all the fittings (90 degree fittings) on top and made sure the box steel was low enough in the frame that nothing would be protruding up above the rear deck plane. Then I lifted the cell in place from underneath and used 1/8" by 2" rolled steel straps to bolt into place. I hope to add a box steel type cage in the future.
Then inside the car, I cut out a piece of sheet steel the shape of the spare tire well I cut out and screwed it in place. It has a small hinged door in the middle for easy opening to add fuel.
This was the approach I figured required the least amount of fabrication, plus it sits lower in the car.
Keep in mind any future plans for panard rods, TriLink gadgets, exhaust paths, etc., as your're doing this. The 15 gal cell takes up a lot of room back there.
Hope that helps! I too spent a lot of time researching the mounting and location options.

[titanium]

Bill and rlekun:
About how long can you run on a full fuel load? (I know, till its empty, http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/wink.gif ).
****************************************
Rodney Williamson
#93 IT7
www.titaniummotorsports.com (http://www.titaniummotorsports.com)

[RX767]

Originally posted by titanium:"About how long can you run on a full fuel load?

Rodney,
I am not sure. I have yet to run an enduro with this set-up. However, various responses to this site and my initial research overwhelmingly recommend the 15 gallon enduro cell for a rotary engine. I plan to run an enduro this Summer and again in the Fall, I would also like an answer to your question.


Originally posted by titanium http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/frown.gifI know, till its empty, http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/wink.gif - I would say until it no longers starts and lots of time is wasted franically looking for unlikely causes rather that checking the obvious. http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif

Bill Emery
Glen Region
ITA#23

BTW: Congradualtions on the upcoming addition to your crew. If you go with the Fuel Safe, I doubt you will have any problems with the cap. It secures very easily with certainty. I was sorry to read about your mishap. Was your damage mostly cosmetic?

[This message has been edited by RX767 (edited May 23, 2003).]

[titanium]

Thank-you http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif
Have you ever cleaned the inside of you charcoal grill? Thats whats I had to clean off the underside of the car behind the rear axle. http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/frown.gif
I got the Fuel Safe cell yesterday and already welded up the new tubing for mounting it. Looks good! I will have to go by the exaust shop and have a new tube welded up to move the muffler over more to the passenger side. Right now, its about 1/2 inch from the new cell. Other that that, everything is good.
*****************************************
Rodney Williamson
#93 IT7
www.titaniummotorsports.com (http://www.titaniummotorsports.com)

[rx7chris]

Hey Rod,
You can run an 1.5 hrs on 15 gal. you'll be cutting it kinda close, but it'll fly. I had a 16 gal in my car, would fill it all the way up, i'd usually end up with about a gallon left in it, not counting the fuel in the lines and the carb its self.

Gonna miss being out there with you guys, maybe i'll find a ride later in the year for an event. I'll still be around, team's still runnin ITC.



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Chris
IT7 #88 **FOR SALE**
PowerTrip Racing
http://www.geocities.com/ptripracing/