• From: Cincinnati Ohio
  • Registered: 2009-07-27
  • Posts: 71

Topic: Fuel cell in the cockpit

Yeah, I read the rules... but I don't comprehend so well..


anyone with a short answer?    I would like to put a fuel cell in the passenger seat area of a Festiva  due to the rear and front being taken up with engines... (lol)

what's the word on that, do I have to build a complete compartment for it??

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Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

You sound certifiably insane.
I like that.
Keep us posted on the build.  big_smile

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  • From: WOOTville USA
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Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

Darwin called.... lol

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  • From: Land Of Subarus, Colorado
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
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Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

I don't think anyone will be able to beat the 5-gallon jerrycan of gas bungeed next to the driver's seat that we saw as a Field Expedient Fuel Tank in a certain British Leyland product at Altamont.

The inherent awesomeness of a twin-engined Festiva is probably sufficient to get the Chief Perp to take a personal interest in your questions, so I suggest you draw up some sketches showing how you plan to make your setup safe and send them to him.

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  • From: Portland
  • Registered: 2009-05-02
  • Posts: 568

Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

http://www.forumammo.com/cpg/albums/Upload/thread%20sucks/normal_Thread-I_like_where_this_thread_is_going.jpg

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Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

I'm thinking roof rack.

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  • From: Land Of Subarus, Colorado
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Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/funny-pictures-cat-does-not-think-plan-will-fail.jpg

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  • From: Toronto, Ontario
  • Registered: 2009-05-03
  • Posts: 1,114

Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

SMSRACING wrote:

Yeah, I read the rules... but I don't comprehend so well..


anyone with a short answer?    I would like to put a fuel cell in the passenger seat area of a Festiva  due to the rear and front being taken up with engines... (lol)

what's the word on that, do I have to build a complete compartment for it??

Why not just shape the tank into the form of a driver's seat like an Auto Union circa 1938? Don't forget to paint your blood type next to the kill switch and sign your organ donor card...

Jim "Endo" Anderton
30 years of racing and still not Brambilla.....
  • From: Tampa, Fl
  • Registered: 2009-05-29
  • Posts: 259

Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

I thought real fuel cells have the Gell inside that stop leaks and are quite safe. As long as the fuel lines are  run  backoutisde the car.

So a fule call is much safer than a ragular gas tank and would be ok inside the car.

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  • From: Toronto, Ontario
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Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

bam2002 wrote:

I thought real fuel cells have the Gell inside that stop leaks and are quite safe. As long as the fuel lines are  run  backoutisde the car.

So a fule call is much safer than a ragular gas tank and would be ok inside the car.

I've seen poorly mounted cells break free and fly out of the car....You're right, fire isn't a bad risk with cells, but a properly restrained stock tank under the car is very safe especially with modern vapour control and rollover valves...For your safety dollar, I think a racing seat, helmet/suit upgrade or a HANS is higher up the list...

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  • From: Safety Harbor, FL (Tampa)
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
  • Posts: 668

Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

I'd suggest building a fully fire-walled bin over the passenger's side.  Essentially, a side "trunk".  Then put a fuel cell INSIDE that.  I don't think anyone could complain about that... much.

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Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

I think if you're doing this, then yes, you have to completely segment the passenger-side into it's own compartment. you will essentially have to add a firewall to your firewall yo

  • Registered: 2009-08-14
  • Posts: 12

Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

We did it for the lamest day.  It made a nice arm rest.  The 22 gallon cell was in the passenger seat area.  We had hard piping to the dry break on the side of the car.  We also had the fuel pump built into the cell for additional safety.  That left us with just two AN connections in the cockpit and steel braided lines that ran through the firewall and into the engine bay.  It passed tech, filled without spilling a drop, and contained most of the connections that could possibly leak inside the cell.  We decided that it would be much safer than a 20+ year old tank under the car and fuel lines that were just as old.  It also has the benefit of being completely inside the cage.

14 Reply by Dr. Wife (edited by doctawife 2009-10-11 06:59 AM)

  • From: Houston, TX
  • Registered: 2009-10-06
  • Posts: 1,008

Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

Clueless Racing Reed wrote:

We did it for the lamest day.  It made a nice arm rest.  The 22 gallon cell was in the passenger seat area.  We had hard piping to the dry break on the side of the car.  We also had the fuel pump built into the cell for additional safety.  That left us with just two AN connections in the cockpit and steel braided lines that ran through the firewall and into the engine bay.  It passed tech, filled without spilling a drop, and contained most of the connections that could possibly leak inside the cell.  We decided that it would be much safer than a 20+ year old tank under the car and fuel lines that were just as old.  It also has the benefit of being completely inside the cage.

I saw this thing.  It was very scary, yet somehow reassuring in its shiny newness.

That, however, has nothing to do with safety.  I have no clue what the risk/benefit ratio was.  Fortunately, they didn't blow up, so that's good.

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Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

doctawife wrote:

I saw this thing.  It was very scary, yet somehow reassuring in its shiny newness.

That, however, has nothing to do with safety.  I have no clue what the risk/benefit ratio was.  Fortunately, they didn't blow up, so that's good.

I think Jay summed up what everyone was thinking when he told the team at tech, "I'm not gonna fail it, but there's no way I'd drive it"

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  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 13

Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

Where do you guys think the fuel lives on just about every formula car on the planet. If you put the cell in a proper steel box then its no more dangerous then under the tail of the car. Hell the passenger seat is probably the safest spot for it. The odds of it being punctured in that location in a crash are far less then your standard stock tank location. Especially considering we are often racing old arse crap from when no one gave a damn about a exploding gas tank.

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Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

Just do this...

Cut the floor flat in the passenger side.... mount the cell with all connectiong and then weld a secondary "fire-wall" around the cell to create a barrier between the cell and the driver. Make it so all fittings can be reached from under the car and have a filler neck go to one of the rear quarter windows. That way you'll have a fire barrier between you and your BOMB and you'll be able to properly secure it so 20 gallons of fuel doesn't crush you in a roll over when those cheapy steel bands let go.

Should be good.

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  • From: Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Registered: 2009-05-01
  • Posts: 89

Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

I envision rolling re-fueling with that... like when Hammond had to manually move water in one of the top gear challenges with a hand pump..

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  • Registered: 2009-10-07
  • Posts: 104

Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

Purchase a FIA certifed cell and then you don't have to build any walls ect.  The venting of the cell is the important thing and how you vent it so in a roll over if the vent fails to seal inside the tank it still does not leak.  SCORE has a pretty good way to do this as off road cars roll frequently.  I am not sure about other sactioning boddies but Im sure someone will chime in here.

http://www.fuelsafe.com/pdf/road_race.pdf

The steel tank on the out side is what you guys are talking about.  The bladder on the inside is the FIA Certified Cell.

My earlier post about our fuel cell is where we have the same dilama with our car.  I would spend the money and not worry about a box etc.  You can always pull it and ebay/craigslist it when your done.  Stay away from Summit racing etc. as the drag cell are not FIA certified.  If it is FIA compliant your good to go.

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  • From: Emeryville CA
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
  • Posts: 572

Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

Oh, boy. With a twin-engine Fiesta, a fuel issue is one of six million ways to die from which you can choose one.

That said, per the rules, the fuel cell area needs to be isolated from the driver by a solid bulkhead, UNLESS it's a FIA-approved cell with an outer case and internal bladder. The FIA cell will probably be a simpler solution than the bulkhead in this case.

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  • From: Cincinnati Ohio
  • Registered: 2009-07-27
  • Posts: 71

Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

Nick_LeMonsHQ wrote:

Oh, boy. With a twin-engine Fiesta, a fuel issue is one of six million ways to die from which you can choose one.

That said, per the rules, the fuel cell area needs to be isolated from the driver by a solid bulkhead, UNLESS it's a FIA-approved cell with an outer case and internal bladder. The FIA cell will probably be a simpler solution than the bulkhead in this case.

AWESOME...


and no offense.. but  FESTIVA... say it with me  F E S T I V A

KOREA ALL THE WAY!!!   No Well made German crap here!!!!

Why does everyone always insist on calling my cars FIESTAS!!!   

LOFL...

I think the FIA cell is the way...   THANKS!!

God I am really going to do this.........


Here is my Autocross car.... and it regulary beats Vettes... and has a few FTD's to it's credit (with a GOOD driver in it.. not my fat-ass)

Say it with me...   FESTIVA!!! FTW!!

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/1963/withbumper.jpg

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Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

SMSRACING wrote:

and no offense.. but  FESTIVA... say it with me  F E S T I V A

KOREA ALL THE WAY!!!   No Well made German crap here!!!!

Why does everyone always insist on calling my cars FIESTAS!!!

Festiva:
http://www.atozautolights.com/images/AutoPhotos/FOFE8893.jpg

Fiesta:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Fiestamk2.jpg

CAUSE THERE ISNT MUCH DIFFERENCE... i't's like calling a Ford Tarus a Mercury Sable... SAME THING...

Good luck with this though...

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Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

Would you prefer we called it an Aspire? big_smile

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24 Reply by SMSRACING (edited by SMSRACING 2009-10-13 05:18 PM)

  • From: Cincinnati Ohio
  • Registered: 2009-07-27
  • Posts: 71

Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

Give me a break!!!

Not a single major part will interchange between Fesitvas and Fiestas...

they are NOT even close to the same thing..  I thought you guys knew cars????

Festivas are MAZDA  and KIA

Feista  (the older German/Spanish/Brazilian ones)  ARE NOT.

they are NOT the same thing...

and Aspires are the second Gen Festivas


Mazda 121   Kia Pride and Ford Festiva    these are the only ones that matter.....  (to me)

Yeah, I love older Fiestas...........  but they are WAY too nice...


Taurus and Sables ARE the same thing.. parts will interchange.. Fiestas and Festivas WILL NOT interchange... So..... they are NOT the same thing... get it??

Kinda like calling a 75 Capri the SAME THING as a 85 Capri....

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Re: Fuel cell in the cockpit

Wow, take things a little more seriously, dude... this IS Lemons racing, afterall. http://www.crownvic.us/forum/images/smilies/new/cowboy.gif

Oh, wait, I see the SCCA credentials in your sig. Nevermind.

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