Opinions on running a Fuel Cell - pro's / con's?

[NYCMille]

Hey guys -

This coming May I am doing the Bullrun Road Rally which is a Cannonball Run style rally that which runs from Montreal, Canada to Key West, FLA. My problem is fuel - right now my MAX range is in the neighborhood of 150 miles to the tank... this sucks. I am REALLY considering putting a fuel cell in the trunk to extend my mileage capabilities.

What is everyones opinions on this? Does anyone run fuel cell, what if any are the safety concerns, etc... etc...

Thanks Gents - Mike

[Blown70]

Mike, 

Depends on the cell, you would be looking to put in a 25 or a 32 gallon?  You have to check the stock frame rails and do you really want to cut a hole in the floor of the trunk?

Most will say a cell is a good thing but not sure if it is worth it?  I would get a steel cased and rubber bladder cell if I was you.

Tom

[Old Moparz]

I forget which magazine I read it in & would have to go look for it, but there was a 4 part story on a rally race done years ago. The car that won was a Mercedes that had an auxiliary fuel tank installed that held 70 gallons. Can't help you on the topic you asked about, but just pointed out that the huge tank is the way to go.

[Mefirst]

Mounting a Fuel cell is not really a major hassle. It al depends on how you decide to mount it in the trunk.

You can either cut a hole in the trunk floor and mount the fuel cell with brackets so the lower part of the fuel cell is underneath the trunk floor or you can mount the fuel cell on top of the trunk floor with straps (you do need to drill two holes for the fuel line and maby a return line into the trunk floor)

One thing you need to do is to mount a sealed "firewall" between the trunk and passenger compartment of your car, so that if you flip your ride, fuel wont be pouring into the passenger compartment. You also need to mount a "breather" tube for the fuel cell so the fumes don't get stuck inside the trunk.

/Tom

[NYCMille]

This is great thanks guys - depending on what cell I go with, I would like to have it mount in the trunk and held in via straps - I have no problem drilling a few holes, but I do not want to cut through the trunk floor. I have to start doing some further research on this. I am thinking something like this...

[MorePwr]

though I'm not running mine with the original tank the install should be about the same accept Teeing the fuel line somewhere. you should be able to route your fuel and vent out the drain plugs in the trunk. not sure though, can't check clearance since my tank is gone.

[Joshua]

Well, one of the con's is having to pop the trunk at every fill........get's old quick...
I had an RCI 16 gal. tank in mine for a few years (during my street racing days), cut a small hole to run the lines out, but you could always use Aeroquip or Russell AN bulkhead fittings....

[RallyeMike]

You can buy cells with Nascar-style filler extensions and run to your stock filler cap if you want to get fancy. Kinda sucks having so much less trunk space. You'll have to buy a smaller cooler...