This is topic How involved is it to install a fuel cell? in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners .
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Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on
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I'm curious how difficult it would be to install a fuel cell. Are there trunk mount ones that just sit in the spare tire well, or do they all require cutting a hole into the trunk and having custom bracing welded to hold the cell in place? Any and all info would be great. This would be for a road race track car setup btw. Thanks!
Posted by SteveL (Member # 1241) on
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Most require cutting the spare tire well out and building/welding a frame to support a cell. Fuel Safe does have fuel cells that replace the stock Mustang gas tank but they are very expensive.
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on
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Thanks for the reply Steve. How much (typically) do shops charge to build a support for a fuel cell?
Posted by racsirx (Member # 1710) on
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How big of cell are you doing? I am having my 5 gallon cell done right now and they are not cutting up my spare tire well, I haven't got the bill yet but it's not going to be that bad.
Posted by acmikee (Member # 5568) on
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fuel safe makes one that is a direct bolt in for a mustang. easy to install.
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on
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-Lee, I'm not exactly sure what size honestly. I'm looking at an AutoX car that has an in-trunk 3 gallon cell but I don't think that would be enough for a 20 min session on a road course with a carb'ed 302. I'd want maybe 10 gallons or so???
-mike, is the one you're talking about a replacement for the stock gas tank or does it mount in the trunk space?
Posted by acmikee (Member # 5568) on
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it the replacement for a stock tank. 20gal.
Posted by SteveL (Member # 1241) on
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The size of the gas tank depends on how often you want to refill the car. With my 300hp motor, I go through about 20 gallons a day (hour & 45 minutes). I have a 20 gallon fuel cell. I start with 18 gallons, run 3 sessions, then put in another 5 gallons typically at lunch break for the last two sessions. I would recommend at least 15 gallons and not more than 22 gallons.
Unless you go with some fancy sump setup, figure you need to have 3-5 gallons in the tank before you starve the engine in higher speed turns.
The direct replacement fuel cells from Fuel Safe are nice but they're $1500 - $2000.
[ 2013-09-08, 01:11 PM: Message edited by: SteveL ]
Posted by racsirx (Member # 1710) on
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The problem with the fuel safe cell is they will need a bladder replacement later on and that cost as much as getting a new one, what about a glenns performance tank?
Posted by SteveL (Member # 1241) on
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The hard plastic Race Safe and Enduro cells (hopefully) will last longer than the Sportsman bladder.
I had a Sportsman and the bladder started coming apart after 8-9 years (a lot longer than the expiration date). Ethanol and fuel additives ate away the glue at the seams.
I called Fuel Safe and found they changed all the dimensions. A replacement would have to be custom made for $1000.
I went with an Enduro cell and put it in my existing Sportsman can.
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on
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Sounds like it'll run in excess of $1000 for a replacement cell and proper mounting. If I do get the car maybe I'll just throw in a stock tank in the mean time.
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