GrabberGT Ev. 5

That is for sure. I have followed your build for years. You have done some nice changes.

 

looks like I have 3 options for doing my drop in tank:

1- Mount tank from existing floor. The problems here are I'd have to trim the fuel filler tube to meet the tank AND biggest problem, because I have an enlarged tank, the top of the tank would protrude into the trunk space by 2 inches. This meens that te trunk floor would not be flat and luggage, tools, spare tire... other things would be resting on top of the tank.

2- Mount the tank below the tail support beam. In order to do this, I'd have to fill in the remaining portion of this beam to support the tank. Would this make the tank sit too low? Ideally, the tank and the rear gravel pan should make a seamless transition sort of like a rear diffuser.

3- Mount the tank below the floor surface but further fwd to avoid the rear beam. I'd have to extend the filler tube forward to meet it by 1". This idea moves the weight of the tank forward reducing the effective weight over the rear end. For general performance, its best to keep the weight of the vehicle between the wheel both fore and aft or as close as possible.

Speaking of weight... I removed all the paneling from the trunk and weighed it. 40 lbs. The old tank weighed 20. Not sure what the removed floor pan weighed but was prob another 20. Total weight removed was say 80lbs. My new tank alone weighs 60lb. So I've got 20lbs to play with before.

pics of the mess I've made.

 

did you see my template i posted in your other thread, i simply trimmed my filler neck with mine and where it goes through the floor

since yours is a 22 gallon it is taller above the seam (shortest is 16 gallon tallest is 22 gallon)

 

Yes. And Thanks. Im looking to keep my trunk floor level if at all possible. I'll prop the tank up under the car this weekend and start figuring where I can place it. I scored a 60" plasma TV box this morning so now I have plenty of cardboard to mock this up with.

 

Ran into a couple problems. Notice the tailpipes in the above pictures? They had to go. Hopefully my exhaust guy can tweak them and make them work without charging me to much money. Luckily I had him install disconnects just after the mufflers so the tailpipes could be removed. No cutting was involved in removing them.

When cutting out the hole in the floor, I noticed some bondo, and more bondo, and more.... Luckily, the drop in pan is essentially a patch panel itself so most of the trouble will be reinforced with better heavier ga. material.

Here is the mock up piece made of poster board


Installed




I took the form to a local steel fab shop and had them cut and bend up the forms for me. I welded it up and here it is in place.




I should get the tub welded in place today and the fuel tank dropped in.

More to come....

 

That looks great....

 

I want a 60" plasma TV!

 

Im sad to announce that I did not get anything done yesterday. I placed the tub in place but as soon as I went to weld it in, discovered that I was out of gas. Im taking a long weekend next weekend so hopefully I can get it wrapped up then.





I REALLY want to hit this autocross on 2/26. I've got to get the car and driver dialed in before Goodguys on 3/16. The Streetrod Class autocross winner at GG wins the Popular Hot Rodding Challenge jacket. I NEED PRACTICE!

 

Almost done. Just need to wire and plumb it.

 

Looks real nice! I like it.

 

Looking good.....

 

man that looks so good

 

Man, your work looks great.

 

Finished up the tank over the weekend. Its all in place and oddly enough, just my looking at it, I cant see a difference. I take it to the exhaust shop tomorrow to have new tail pipes bent for it. The fuel pump, being internal is much quieter. I do have a fuel vapor problem I need to sort out though. I get lots of fumes in the trunk. Not sure why. I've got it vented thru the trunk floor. More research.



After driving it for a day, I decided it desperately needs a rear firewall. It'll help cut down on the noise and keep the fuel tank in the rear should anything happen. I also added fatmat to the rear package tray and entire area.

Unfortunately, in my haste to get the firewall mounted, I managed to drill thru, not 1... but 2, brake lines. Looks like it'll be another day before I can drive it.

 

Lookin' good Chris!

re: fumes in the trunk ... I would bet a coat of seam sealer around the wheelwells, etc, would help.

One of my favorite tricks with my Comet was to do a huge burnout, and a couple minutes later let a big cloud of smoke out of the trunk.

I'm probably going to leave my trunk as-is ....