hans14914

I noticed a small leak comming from the back of my car. Put it on a lift, and its a seam leaking in the plastic fuel tank. Before attempting to patch or replace, i was curious if anyone had replaced the stock tank with a universal type fuel cell? If not, does anyone have the dimensions of the tank area when the tank was removed? I would like to try and get a 20-22gal tank back in there to keep the digital dash on my 89 happy. I would also like to keep the stock level sensor if possible.
Thanks
Hans

jeff jackson

Thats what I call thinking "outside the box"...whats wrong with the traditional repair or replace solution to this type problem ??? Is this a "track only" car ? Cause an aftermarket fuel cell, of the 20-22 gallon variety, is going to be...(first of all LARGE...and heavy, (if you ever fill it to capacity)...and really not going to grant you any more "safety".... in a crash of the magnitude that would destroy the OEM fuel tanks integrity, being as it would be in "exactly the same location as the OEM tank" (no place else to put it), Anyway...if you are considering doing something nice for your shark, fix your leak, and make some other fantastic upgrade for the car you know and love, Try the big 3 vendors online catalogs, you'll find a way to improve your shark, and not miss not being the "pioneer on the street", of a beautiful S4, witha fuel cell.

But if your heart is set on it...check Summit, or Jegs...any of the large contingent of "aftermarket parts" suppliers, of HP Imports, and Domestics for a variety of available Fuel cells, approved by all the sanctioning bodies.

hans14914

Repairing is definately an option, i was just curious if there were others.
Thanks
Hans

jpitman2

The problem I have heard here is that if you dont get the repaired tank back in quickly after plastic welding, and it cures without the stresses of the mounting brackets, it just cracks again.....Friend of mine took my old tank with spun threaded insert, cleaned it up, epoxied the insert back in place, all back together, no problems in a month of hot weather.
jp 83 Euro S AT 50k

Imo000

Hans!

There is an '81 being parted out right now(look for the tread). I'm buying the gas tank straps. With the straps out of the way I'm sure the owner can pull the tank out in a matter of minutes. This way it will be cheaper for you. If the the '81 and the '89 tanks are the same, your best choice woudl be to buy a used one. I know he'll sell it really cheap but you'll have to contact him soon cause the car is being sent to an auction next Monday.

Tass 928

I did that. Actually I've done three cells so far. On my own car I bought a simple cell from summit. I had to make special fittings to use the stock filler. I also had to weld an adapter into the top of the cell (aluminum) and a sump into the bottom so the stock sender would fit. It is to long (deep) for most cells.
In the 3 that have done the bat box needed to go also. The square shape of a cell just doesn't conserve space like the factory unit that molds into the available space.

Problem with the summit cells is that they don't have the bladder in them like the more expensive fuel-safe and some others. Just the foam inside. Bottom line....in my opinion, don't bother. I will actually be changing my summit unit out for a fuel safe.

Net weight t loss for the swap was 11 pounds though......

jeff jackson

Geez Tass...you couldn't get ahold of one of the electrical "geniuses" here on the forum, and have them shorten and "recalibrate" your level sensor, so "welding a sump" wasn't necessary ? Seems like a waste of money and effort to do this mod, when you have to make "structural modification" to the cell itself, to accomodate it. And..without a decent roll cage to protect it...the addition of a fuel cell might be more dangerous than the OEM tank.

Tass 928

"Geez Tass...you couldn't get ahold of one of the electrical "geniuses" here on the forum, and have them shorten and "recalibrate" your level sensor, so "welding a sump" wasn't necessary ? Seems like a waste of money and effort to do this mod, when you have to make "structural modification" to the cell itself, to accomodate it. And..without a decent roll cage to protect it...the addition of a fuel cell might be more dangerous than the OEM tank"

Uh....yep. I do of plenty of stupid things on my way to the end result.

My cell is protected by a cage though. The welding is easier for me than most folks because I'm a fab shop owner. I'm embarrassed to tell you how many things I've done over the years just because it's "free" and I can. I often make or do things just to see what it looks like. Some of it sticks...some of it gets tossed :>)

Serious note though....chose a fuel cell carefully. Yes it could be more dangerous than the stock tank.

jeff jackson

I never said what you did was "stupid"... Nor, did I know you were a fabricator...with... the equipment and "wherewithall" to make this a reality, and painlessly. Our friend, however...probably does not posess the "means" to achieve a similar result, as you did...and most probably, .. is not inclined to protect his "fuel cell" investment....with a rear half, or a full cage, and compromise his fine S4s interior appointments. i could be wrong though...and, in my 49+ years of being wrong...I can honestly say, that nobody does it better ! That is "when I'm wrong"

Tass 928

Jeff

"I never said what you did was "stupid"... "

No..I did.

maybe I should have used the word goofy.....

anyway, my main point was that I think he would be better off sticking with a stock tank unless he had racing application in mind. Also...in re-reading your earlier post suggesting summit or jegs....I didn't mean to imply that summit doesn't sell quality fuel cells....just that the model I chose from them is not the same as the more expensive type with a bladder inside and an aluminum outer shell. The less expensive models are simply aluminum or plastic tanks with foam inside. I think the bladder is the key to acceptance by most sanctioning bodies.

You are also correct in that all of the cell installations I have seen or done have had a major impact on the interior of the car.

TAREK

Tass, where are you located?

Tass 928

Plant is in Springfield, MA

I live 20 mins away in Wilbraham Ma.

hans14914

Thanks for the advice guys, stock tank being repaired or a used unit going in.
Thanks
Hans

jeff jackson

Good move Hans. Hopefully, you'll get a good deal on the repair, and maybe can put the money you saved, on an adjustable fuel pressure regulator, or an X pipe, or some other great upgrade for your car. You won't miss the fuel cell, till you start getting into sanctioned racing events, and then safety becomes a mandated issue. Thats why, you'll find most of the guys that are racers, have dedicated track cars.