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Thread: fuel cell questions

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    13

    Default fuel cell questions

    what brand? what should I look for in a fuel cell? what about the road race ones on summit? they are aluminum and so forth.

    any info will work for me.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2001
    Location
    Wheaton, IL
    Posts
    1,893

    Default

    I go with with the VW brand. Good, reliable, light and safe.
    Chris Schaafsma
    Golf 2 HProd

    AMT Racing Engines - DIYAutoTune.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    Buffalo, New York
    Posts
    2,942

    Default

    Yes...unless you are required to have one, stay with your OEM tank.

    A fuel cell is:
    1. Expen$ive;
    2. Heavier than an OEM tank;
    3. Maintenance intensive (foam replacement); and,
    4. Bladder has a limited life.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Belmont, CA USA
    Posts
    1,098

    Default

    And don't forget that you have to add additional plumbing / pumps to get it to work correctly with the stock FI
    Tim Linerud
    San Francisco Region SCCA
    #95 GTL Wabbit
    Convert from GP to GTL
    http://www.timlinerud.com/racing/index.html

    racer_tim @ yahoo dot com

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    134

    Default

    I agree with what everyone has said above. I actually called the SCCA about this, and they said that the safety engineering behind the stock tank is very good. The stock tank, sitting so far forward on top of the frame rail/axle beam, is very safe.

    Another thing to consider is that folks often locate the fuel cell behind the frame rail/axle beam, which puts it in the crush zone for rear-end contact. This certainly negates at least some of the advantage of having a cell.

    Finally, you are driving a Jetta so the trunk puts even more distance between the stock tank and the rear bumper.

    If I thought it was more safe I would have a fuel cell . . . I race a Jetta, I have a stock tank, and I feel just dandy about it.

    DE
    Last edited by S2_ITBVW; 01-09-2014 at 09:18 PM.
    Dave Ellenwood
    ITB Jetta
    SCCA Ohio Valley Region
    [email protected]

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Seattle, WA
    Posts
    8

    Default

    I went with the ATL well cell. It ended up working pretty good.
    Brad

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    Buffalo, New York
    Posts
    2,942

    Default

    yes...until it or the foam needs replacement.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    South of Chicago, near Indiana.
    Posts
    248

    Default

    The only reason to go with a cell is as said the rule set requires it or if you plan on running in a lot of endures and want/need a bigger fuel tank.

    I work with some Lemons teams and this discussion comes up every once in a while. Should they install a cell or not. It's a lot cheaper to make other changes to the car to extend the time between stops for fuel then to install a cell.
    1988 ITA Scriocco 16V #80
    MCSCC member since 1988

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Mentor, Ohio
    Posts
    144

    Default

    I put a cell in my HP car. New cell, new pumps, new fuel lines, pricey.

    My recommendation is like everyone elses. Stick with the stock VW unit.
    John McFarland
    覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧
    #02 GTA Chevy Monte Carlo

    Scott McFarland
    覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧
    #88 ITC Renault Alliance

    Mentor, OH

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