Cheap fuel cell, maybe.

[TerryBPP]

Do you think any of these would fit in a 911.

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=4283&prmenbr=361

seems cheap huh?

[masraum]

take some measurments, but yes, I would think so.

[Slider79SC]

Warning!!!

Most Drag race type fuel cells are not SFI approved. If you install one and then try to go PCA, SCCA, NASA or any other type of club racing, you more than likely have screwed yourself.

You will then have to install an SFI approved cell which will be a pain because you will have to take your old one out and re-fabricate all the mounts and such.

Theres a reason that the SFI ones are more expensive. They are much safer in the event of a puncture.

[Elombard]

Seems like they would not fit without alot of fabricating in the front compartment. The ones I have seen are shaped exactly like the OE Tank on the bottom. With the exception of full race cars where they completely reinvent the trunk compartment.

[RallyJon]

Well then how about these? SFI approved, plastic, steel or aluminum:
http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/fsafe3.htm

[Slider79SC]

One with a steel or aluminum container would probably be ok. The only thing that would concern me is this statement in the add. "Note: Should be mounted in the main confines of the chassis and roll cage, not designed for high impact situations"

[RallyJon]

...not designed for high impact situations

Just out of curiousity, I wonder how a fuel cell--even a cheap one--would hold up compared to the stock fuel tank. I thought that anything with a bladder in it is much safer than a stock tank in a bad collision.

[Slider79SC]

The problem with most of the cheaper cells is that they use foam incased in plastic instead of foam incased in a bladder and then incased in a steel container. The plastic cell will rupture very easily. The foam does nothing to protect the fuel in a collision; it is just there to prevent sloshing of the fuel.

But you are correct in saying that they should hold up better than a stock fuel tank.

[MarkP]

Don Kitch, 2003 24 Hour of Daytona class winner and owner of Proformance Racing School says over and over and over again, "don't skrimp on your safety equipment, buy the most expensive equipment available, if you can't afford it you're not ready for racing".

I'm just quoting him, not offering advice.

[HawgRyder]

There is another type of safety cell available....under the "explosafe" trademark.
They have a type of aluminum sponge inside...we used them for aircraft....made them not bullet-proof...but explosion proof.
Even if you set fire to one...it just burns...it will not explode.
If you can find one of these in a steel container....it would be the best of all worlds.
Bob

[jluetjen]

Cheap Fuel Cells, Cheap Helmet -- cheap head? If it's my life, (and family who depends on me), only top quality safety equipment.

There is nothing worse then the sinking feeling you have when you think "You know, I really should have invested in that better quality safety gear" -- just before you hit the wall.

[TimT]

John, imagine the thoughts of the first Astronauts....... "WOW this was all built by the lowest bidder"

this analogy may apply to this thread....

[RallyJon]

Oh no, the "$50 helmet for a $50 head" cliche has arrived!

The point is, are you better off using a reasonably priced fuel cell compared to a stock fuel tank. I'm sure a $1700 fuel cell and a $1000 kevlar helmet will be so darn safe you almost enjoy hitting the wall, but the existance of $200 fuel cells proves that there are plenty of people who want to be safer without blowing their budget.

I'm pretty sure even a $50 helmet will protect better than no helmet at all. And anything with foam and a bladder inside is bound to be safer than a rusty 32 year old tin can, right?

[Elombard]

Yah I think the "most expensive" argument for safety gear is tired. I am not driving 200 mph surrounded by concrete. I need something reasonably well engineered at a fair price. Most of the time you can look at the engineering or the "specs" on a piece of safety equipment and determine if it will do the job. If two vendors sell the same helmet but one wants $100 more you dont buy it their just because of the price (I hope). I think that argument comes from installers or retailers who are trying to fatten up their margins!!!

Speaking of enginerring. Mark P I dont care how much you paid for that Fuel Safe cell in the front of that race car its too friggin close to the front of the car!!! Dont they make a cell that sits in the stock location and is contained mostly behind the shock towers?? Even a minor off and that cell will be put to the test!! You should put your money where your mouth is and sell that cell to me and get a cell that sits back further :-))