914 fuel cell options

[larrym]

Have any of you fellows fit an ATL SA-108 FIA cell into a standard 914 can?

as near as i can measure, it seems this can be done. Short of buying the ATL and going off on a misadventure, i'd like to know if anyone's already done it

I already have a 914 clamshell can made from 2 oem tanks

I am looking for an alternative to the $2000 FuelSafe cell

I want this for certain vintage venues such as VARA, and want to eliminate my current rectangular FuelSafe cell that sits in the bottom of the front trunk well

.

[SirAndy]

Ask Patrick at PMS. They sell a fuel cell made out of a stock tank.

If he is willing to share what they use ...

[SirAndy]

Originally Posted by SirAndy

Ask Patrick at PMS. They sell a fuel cell made out of a stock tank.

[larrym]

thanks

i know about that $2000 option -

i'm looking to spend 'way less money

[SirAndy]

Originally Posted by larrym

i know about that $2000 option -

i'm looking to spend 'way less money

Well, i didn't say "buy from Patrick". I said, *ask* Patrick.

Maybe he's using some off the shelf parts that could be acquired for less money somewhere else.

[zig-n-zag]

Try checking out a boating store, fuel tank section.

The marine industry have those top plates available,

and the one I measured fits the 914 gas tank pretty well.

[John Rogers]

The cells that Patrick and some other shops sell are custom made and not a high volume item such as a regular rectangular cell which can be made much easier and cheaper. In the car I had the cell was mounted low and in the front and I think it helped the weight distribution a little as the car turned better with a full cell (12 gallon) which was about 75 pounds of ballast.

The most important thing is that little sticker you see on top of the tank with the cert information and many organizations will not let you run a "home made" cell unless it gets tested.

[mcfoo]

The 914-6 I just bought (the Dave Evans purple one) had a stock tank to fuel cell conversion done by TRG.
Looks well done but I have no idea on cost.
If they are in the same ball park as Patrick hold on to your wallet.
Tom B.

[larrym]

guess i need to clarify my original post -

I am only interested in knowig about anyone's actual experiences with fitting a standard long-narrow rectangular off-the-shelf FIA cell such as the 8-gal ATL - as noted in my original post - into the top section of 914 can

The 914 can is made by cutting 2 914 oem tanks at the flanges and then screwing them back together at the paired flanges to hold the cell in the oem position, (just like the Patrick tank (can) is made)

I am well aware of the Patrick cell (which is made by FuelSafe) - that cell alone costs $2000, Patrick tank is xtra

I already have the 914 can, made as above.

I already know about the cheap non-FIA cells available from various sources. Many racing venues do not require an FIA cell.

I already have an FIA FuelSafe 8-gal rectangular cell that Just-fits in the bottom of the 914 front trunk well, behind the oem GT Behr oil cooler

.

[SirAndy]

Originally Posted by larrym

I am only interested in knowig about anyone's actual experiences

Good luck!

[mcfoo]

FWIW, I called Fuel Safe thinking they did the conversion.I was trying to get a handle on capacity.

Turns out they don't do squat except make the bladder.

According to the guy I talked to, if you want one of these conversions or want to know anything about them contact Patrick Motorsports.Perhaps it was only this guy that didn't know didley but thats the customer service I got.

Tom B.

[Mike Bellis]

This RCI unit will fit with some minor massaging...

[larrym]

best i can determine - no RCI cells are FIA approved

- they only sell to circle track & drag racers

[914TWO]

larrym,

If I did not know better I would have sworn I started this post as I have exactly the same questions and thoughts that you did. I realize this post is a little old now, but did you come up with any answers to having a fuel cell in the stock location without emptying your wallet to Patrick Motorsports? I am building a PCA GT-5 class 914-6 and hope you found an answer.

Steve

[larrym]

no solution yet - I need to find & look at a 914 with tank removed so i can do some measurements

my main concern is whether that indented section against the firewall is modifiable

- if we can cut & straighten that indent, the ATL cell should work OK

- i also think we have a bit of clearance to raise the can closer to the hood, which should help with the indent restriction

I also need to physically look at the ATL to see how rigid it is in that indent affected area (my 8 gal Fuelsafe is pretty rigid along the edges, but it is almost square in top view)

so - if the indent issue can be resolved, i'll modify the can to accommodate , and if it still fits, i'll go ahead & buy the ATL

- lifting the tank a bit should be OK given that i am OK with the filler sticking up thru the hood & location of the filler is not really important to me

(oh, yeah - i hear the groans "it's not the factory-GT-look!!!")

- all race cars are customized to necessity -

i have acquired a spare hood which i plan to cut for the filler as needed, per Martin Baker's sunoco-clone example


I am currently focused on getting my MGB track-ready for the upcoming vintage season, and just tackled the trans rebuild today, so this is back burner right now

larrym's Garage :: MGB racer

Originally Posted by 914TWO

,

If I did not know better I would have sworn I started this post as I have exactly the same questions and thoughts that you did. I realize this post is a little old now, but did you come up with any answers to having a fuel cell in the stock location without emptying your wallet to Patrick Motorsports? I am building a PCA GT-5 class 914-6 and hope you found an answer.

Steve