Alternative fuel tanks

[gvincent]

I have to replace my 76 280Z tank and was researching my choices:

I don't want to go with a fuel cell

I can't afford a custom tank

 

The most popular swap it seems is the 98-2002 F-body Camaro and Firebird LS1 tanks. I have searched but there are no recent write-ups on the LS1 tank installs with pictures, all the picture links have expired.

 

This one is 7 years old and is a very good write up by CruxGNZ but the pictures are gone. I would of loved to have this made into a stickie with pictures.

http://forums.hybrid...l-tank-install/

 

Bartman has a good thread also but again no more pictures.

http://forums.hybrid...showtopic=36039

 

Cheesepocket has a couple of picture of a tank from Tanks Inc. But I would like to know more about details of his install

http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=121/category_id=69/home_id=59/mode=prod/prd121.htm

 

So has anyone tried using another tank from another car?

 

Is there an alternative tank that can be used that doesn't involve cutting out the spare tire well?

 

I will probably go with an LS1 tank swap myself as it is still cheaper it seems than having somebody like Moyer split open a Z tank and rebuild it.

 

Greg

Edited August 5, 2011 by gvincent

[HowlerMonkey]

Good question.

 

I'm wondering where I can source a tank in either plastic or something without zinc for a future LD28 with turbo project.

[gvincent]

Good question.

 

I'm wondering where I can source a tank in either plastic or something without zinc for a future LD28 with turbo project.

 

Unless anybody has an other Ideas on swappable tanks the LS1 is the only plastic tank swap I know of.

Tanks Inc does have a universal plastic tank but it doesn't show the filler neck on the side in the picture but I haven't called to see if it can be side mounted.

In the picture there does seem to be an area for the fill neck on the side but I would call first.

They don't have much detail on their site.

The tanks are only $215 but of course once your done with an internal pump with a sump tray and other accessories you are around $500

http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=83/category_id=133/home_id=59/mode=prod/prd83.htm

 

Greg

[Bartman]

There's still images on my website: http://mysite.verizon.net/ress1lhb/barts570z/id13.html

[Zzeal]

I went the plastic tank route too, after reading CruxGNZ's write up some time ago.

The LS1 tanks ( this one's an '02 Camaro) fit the space nicely, aren't expensive, and are fairly simple to mount after fabbin' up some hangers.

I believe CruxGNZ's looked about the same, the tank's shape dictates what the mounts are gonna look like. I just made a cardboard pattern following the tank's angles and transferred it onto some plywood and made a jig out of it, to produce two identical pieces. The time consuming part is in mitering the metal.

For me, it was important to retain the tank's emissions function, to keep the stinky smells in the tank rather than in my garage.

I positioned the tank more to the passenger side to allow room for a single, drivers side, muffler.

The Camaro fill tube diameter fit perfectly, but to get a good, stock filler angle, it does angle into the trunk area.

Here's some pix:

 

Steve

 

The little round plate on the left is an aftermarket sending unit I added.

 

The straps came with the tank.

 

 

 

 

[Fauxre]

I'm adapting this '56 Chevy tank, http://www.tanksinc....prod/prd132.htm, from Tanksinc for my carbureted Velo Rossa project.

 

I chose it because it's steel, has the sending unit mount on the side, filler neck on the right, holds more gas than the stock Z tank ( even holds more than Tanksinc universal tank which costs more), allows me to run duel exhaust out (not under) the rear valance and was cheap...$125 with or without a fuel injection tray. Mine has the tray incase I decide to upgrade to fuel injection later.

 

I'm still working on mounts.

 

I have a few pics of my progress here, http://forums.hybrid...sa/page__st__80

Edited October 9, 2011 by Fauxre

[Tony D]

If you aren't running a spare tire and put in a flat deck like the factory 432's with the 100 liter tank. I have one of those tanks and I can't believe some local sheetmetal duct shop couldn't knock one up relatively reasonably. It's got a couple stiffener ribs in the sides, but the rest of the tank is a simple flat piece of sheetmetal rolled over it. The difference is it takes a special sender and gauge (for the 100l capacity) but given it's a relatively consistent taper any standard GM sensor could fit, which would make those using Autometer Gauges in the dash very nice. Maybe sacrifice an old rusty tank as a donor for pickups and sending unit compatibility.

[A. G. Olphart]

I've been researching the F body plastic tank for my 72... Bought a 6 cyl tank with straps.

The 6 cylinder tanks themselves seem to be the same as the LS1; difference is in the pumps. Both use a bucket rather than tank baffles, and I've read that the 6 cylinder pump (no regulator, one from a Corvette was recommended) reputedly is good for around 400RWHP --Talk from another forum, accuracy not guaranteed.

 

My 6 cylinder pump tested noisy, so I've ordered the FPM-001 (complete LS1 style bucket) from Racetronix. Reasonable, and should be plenty good for my carbed old style 350 assuming that I get around the regulator issue.

 

Other issue (beyond a bunch of welding) is the gauge sender: Camaro is around 240 Ohms, Datsun 90 to 10 ohms. I've worked that out to my satisfaction by:

1) Reversing the full / empty relationship from stock GM by bending the float arm into a mirror image of itself (leaving the short 90 degree bit that snaps into the sending unit alone). Pump bucket key removed and bucket rotated so the fittings face forward.

 

2) Substituting a (pricy) sending unit from GM:

 

Part: 25319676

Category: Fuel Tank Meter Sender/Connector

Description: SEN KIT

Min.Qty: 1

Unit Price: $100.80 (from GMPartsDirect; S&H added another $25 or so)

 

This kit is for a Pontiac and has two 90 ohm senders with slightly different connectors:

Part # 25319676. Sender out of a '97 Grand Prix.; Non-Supercharged 3.8, before VIN #238198

 

Hope that this helps somebody.

[gravityflyer]

If I may, I would like to resurrect this thread as there does not seem to be any updates since. As gvincent mentioned above, most of the previous threads and write-ups have expired pictures. Danno74Z's excellent overview of his LS1 tank install being an obvious exception: http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php/topic/105275-fuel-tank-conversion-ls1/

 

But I would like to follow-up in particular on gvincent's question regarding alternative fuel tanks that don't require removal of spare tire well and allow for dual pipes. Any suggestions and/or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

[gravityflyer]

In my continuing search for an alternative fuel tank to run duals without cutting spare tire well, I took some crude measurements last night before I left the garage. I believe a 34 x 24 x 6-1/4 tank would fit the space. I then looked through a list of potential candidates to fill said void:

 

1964-68 For Mustang

32-5/8 x 24-1/2 x 8 (16 gallon)

 

1955 Ford Thunderbird

29 X 22 X 7-1/2 (17 gallon)

 

1956 Ford Thunderbird

29 X 22 X 7-1/2 (17.5 gallon)

 

1988-90 Plymouth Sundance

34-3/8 x 25 x 7-5/8 (14 gallon)

 

1989-94 Geo Metro

32-1/4 x 20-1/8 x 8 (10.6 gallon)

 

1960-65 Ford Falcon

32-5/8 x 24-1/2 x 8 (16 gallon)

 

1984-85 Honda Civic [3-door hatchback model]

31-1/4 x 22 x 7-1/2 (12 gallon)

 

1990-94 Misubishi Precis

27-1/4 x 24-1/8 x 7-1/2 (12 gallon)

 

1964-68 Mercury Cugar

32-5/8 x 24-1/2 x 8 (16 gallon)

 

I couldn't find any specs whatsoever on Subarus which might also have a potential candidate for replacement. Presumably most of these can be sourced from a pick 'n pull. Other more expensive alternatives certainly exist, i.e. Tanks Inc.

 

This list represents only my initial research. I have not yet considered filler neck locations, vents, or sending unit issues, however, I hope such issues won't prove to be an insurmountable obstacle. You'll also note that all of these alternative tanks have a height that is slightly larger than desired, but I imagine that the rear valance could be extended without much issue.

 

To be continued...

Edited November 21, 2012 by gravityflyer

[gravityflyer]

Decided to add pics of the three candidates that I think would fit best.

 

 

1955 Ford Thunderbird:

 

1956 Ford Thunderbird:

 

1984-85 Honda Civic:

 

Again, I have not yet considered design compatibility issues - only size.

[HowlerMonkey]

Thank you.

 

The distinctiveness and data of your posts has enhanced the collective greatly.

 

I'm guessing they are all zinc coated inside?

 

I have a diesel project and some say the zinc inside the tank will react with the diesel fuel and cause issues.

[Tony D]

There is a place replicating the 100L Factory Rally Tank out of Aluminum now, just got photos of it this week...

 

Cost would be (before shipping) more than most SoCal rollers sell for today...

[Tony D]

It wasn't clarified if this is an "early" or "late" tank, either. The OP never gave a reason for why an alternate was being considered, or why the stock tank was unsuitable or use.

 

Until recently, New tanks for the late 280's were still available. I have one with the part sticker still on it...from a "project car" that also had a NOS door shell in the hatch area.

 

Was that ever considered, or is this more than a parts needed quest?

Edited November 24, 2012 by Tony D

[gravityflyer]

Not sure about the OP, but for me personally I'm looking for something to run duals without cutting spare tire well. I'd be grateful for any suggestions!

[gravityflyer]

Just a side note about installing alternative tanks... I was watching a re-run of Muscle Car where they install an OEM tank but needed to modify to install original pick-up and a return line. Interesting technique with the Vaseline:

 

http://www.powerblocktv.com/player/show_player.php?ep_num=MC2007-01&ep_show=MC

 

Watch 8:55 to 9:45.

[Grog]

I wanted to run dual exhaust and followed Cheesepocket's fabrication (many thanks Cheese!) with some modifications. I made a cradle for the gas tank and then welded it up under the car. If I had to do it again, I would purchase the universal tank with the internal fuel pump. But since I had the fuel pump and filter already, it was easy enough to assemble. If you happen to go this route, you may want to look at your filer neck options. I ended up using the fuel neck from a 77-78 since it is much smaller that the 3" neck on earlier models, and it als means you need to modify the mounting location in the filer neck door. And it opened up my options to use common size grommets to make the plate used to seal up around the underside of the filler neck. I also fabbed up a different filer neck on the tank since the one that came with it was at an angle that would make it a problem fueling up. I use a piece of 1/8" mild steel and a 2" diameter section of exhaust tubing for the modified neck. 

 

I want to draw your attention to picture #0130 and 0133 of the tank cradle, on the passenger side towards the rear of the car, that there is a relief cut out in the cradle. The universal tank has a hump ~3/8" of an inch that will interfere and not permit it to lay squarely in the cradle. Its an easy mod and I advise that this be done. 

 

I purchased some chassis tabs for the mounting straps; the one I used is 1/8" steel approx 3" long. Those are easy to find and fairly inexpensive. 

 

I also used the charcoal canister off of a BMW E series so I could mount it near the tank. I cant remember what year, but you should be able to find one that looks similar to what you see in the pictures. 

 

Don't be afraid to ask questions. 

Edited October 7, 2015 by Grog

[z240]

I was in my buddies shop one day, and he's working on a cobra replica project. It uses a bunch of fox body mustang parts, and one of those was the gas tank. I took one look and something clicked. "I've seen that before!"

 

This was a few years ago, but I remember taking a few measurements and the dang thing was close to a 240 tank. I remember it was a bit longer, but nothing that gets in the way of the muffler area.

 

Another thing that struck me was the relatively cheap cost of a tank, sender and pump for the thing. From Ford too..

 

Have a look at these pictures and tell me if it looks as good as I think it does....

 

https://lmr.com/item/LRS-9002A/1981-86-Mustang-Fuel-Tank-Without-Efi

Edited October 8, 2015 by z240