Fuel cell Info please.

[Dustxking]

Looking at getting a fuel cell. Because im buying a shell with no gas tank in it, its a fully cage'd/stichwelded/tubed front fenders, and he planned on putting fuel cell into it. So the trunk is all fab'd to put a flat square fuel cell into.

My question is, Aluminum is the way to go im guess correct? 10 gallons more then enough?
Is my walbro 255 going to work in this fuel cell, and how in the world would i run the fuel lines?

Also biggest question of them all, would it pass tech for drift/forumula,d/scca?

Heres the fuel cell. RCI 2151AS - RCI Aluminum Fuel Cells – SummitRacing.com

[TheWolf]

Here's the rules on fuel cells.

The cell above will not pass SCCA as it doesn't have a bladder. Race fuel cells have a rubber bladder in an aluminum/steel box.

Fuel cells have several ports on them. They do not run internal pumps. They run external pumps so if your walbro255 is the inline external mount version then it will work.
There are usually one or two "Fuel out" ports. These are usually in a well at the bottom. There is a fuel return into the tank for EFI style return systems. Then there is a vent that allows the fumes to be vented outside. I believe in SCCA you must have a rollover shut off valve installed on the vent.

Inside these tanks are fuel foam blocks. These prevent the fuel from sloshing around away from the drain in the bottom.

The RCI cell listed would be good for basically minor league drag racing and that's it.
ATL makes Race Fuel Cells and they will be about 2-3x the RCI price.

How you'd run your fuel would look like this. Fuel tank Drain in bottom... to fuel pump.. to injector rail... to fuel pressure reg.. return to top "fuel return" fitting in fuel cell. Preferably with aeroquip Braided line.. or set yourself on fire if you want with the non braided stuff.. Most of these tanks run a -6 or -8 line.

[Dustxking]

So it sounds like i should just stick with my hatch and put a ballin cage in it?

Or should i just pay the cash and get a scca approved fuel cell, would it be better in the long run?

[g6civcx]

Each organization has their own set of rules. I recommend checking with the tech inspector before buying to make sure you have what they want.

[Dustxking]

Like i said before its scca approved so theres 1 down, and fd tech says fuel cell recommended....

[g6civcx]

Originally Posted by Dustxking

Like i said before its scca approved so theres 1 down, and fd tech says fuel cell recommended....

What is SCCA approved? Your car now or the one you're buying?

Did an SCCA tech inspector sign off on your setup?

Who is "fd tech"?

What are you asking? Do you want us to help you build the new car you're buying, or do you want us to help you modify the car you already have?

[Dustxking]

The car I'm buying was built to scca/formd cage spec.
Now I just need help figuring out this fuel cell information.

[TheWolf]

Originally Posted by g6civcx

Each organization has their own set of rules. I recommend checking with the tech inspector before buying to make sure you have what they want.

Correct. It is important as while an ATL will be one of the safest cells you can buy, if it's not required then no need for it technically. An ATL will be legal for any racing series that you participate in. Fuel Safe also makes a budget cheap FIA-FT3 cell as well as nice competition cells. Jazz/RCI/Ken Lowe All make aluminum drag race cells.

The Idea is this. In a drag racer, everyone is moving in the same direction, same speed, and there is nothing to hit but a sideways glance on the wall or the other car. In road racing there can be sudden stops. Walls.. poles.. other cars hitting you after you've spun. Etc. An aluminum tank will take alot of beating before it deforms enough to crack. It's relatively safe. A race cell will not only have that outer shell to deform but an inner bladder that must be pierced. A light tap into the wall the right way can cause the cell to rupture.

YouTube - Dale Earnhardt Jr ALMS Corvette Crash and Fire Infineon

that's a prime example of a fuel cell fire with a light tap.


The Formula D rules will specify. I do not understand the desire to install a roll cage and then to run a cheap fuel cell in a hatch. You need to discuss this with them as there maybe a rule about the fuel cell being in the same compartment with you. That's usually a no no. The above was a vid if it was installed underneath the rear hatch floorboard.

[Dustxking]

Thanks wolf but i also read somewhere on here that as long as theres a firewall built between you and the fuel cell, it was completly ok.
I mean that is understandable. Which in the shell they have already made a complete firewall between me and the fuel cell.