fuel cell alum or poly?

glen myers · 12-21-2013, 06:48 PM

Looking for the pro's and cons of whether to use a poly fuel cell or aluminum.Any thoughts? (drag race application)

Dyno · 12-21-2013, 09:53 PM

I have seen racers have problems with the aluminum tanks cracking.

gbur · 12-22-2013, 01:02 PM

Aluminum tanks require care in mounting so as they do not crack

Myron Piatek · 12-22-2013, 01:35 PM

Cracks may result from being mounted by the 4 tabs onto an uneven or flexing surface. I believe it's suppose to be secured with straps. I think there was a discussion somewhere about that. I must admit that I use the tabs and haven't gotten around to adding straps. But my aluminum cell is mounted on boxed-in rails spanning the spare tire well. That creates a flat, stiffer foundation and helps isolate the cell.

Floyd Staggs · 12-24-2013, 10:35 AM

I've got a custom made one that fits under the bed of my pickup. It's mounted with tabs and straps with rubber insulators. Every seam on it has been rewelded over a few years.

rallye bob · 12-24-2013, 10:45 AM

I have had an aluminum cell (16 gal) mounted in my trunk the same as Myron's for probably 10 years.... Never a leak... I hope I didn't just jinx myself ;-)

Ron Gusack · 12-25-2013, 01:27 PM

I mounted mine with firm rubber strips under the tabs. Hasn't leaked in 6 years, but I never knew of this problem. Now I'm worried. I just went through the stock Nova trunk floor with 3/8's bolts.

Greg Hill · 12-25-2013, 03:12 PM

5gal. Aluminum since the first year they were legal in stock with no problems.

GUMP · 12-25-2013, 04:18 PM

The first one I did was poly. It always seaped around the fittings. I switched to using aluminum on all my cars and have never had an issue since.

G Anderson · 12-27-2013, 06:29 PM

Stainless !

12-21-2013, 06:48 PM	#1
glen myers Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: GAINESVILLE,VA Posts: 81 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	fuel cell alum or poly? Looking for the pro's and cons of whether to use a poly fuel cell or aluminum.Any thoughts? (drag race application)

12-21-2013, 09:53 PM	#2
Dyno Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 915 Likes: 1,129 Liked 680 Times in 203 Posts	Re: fuel cell alum or poly? I have seen racers have problems with the aluminum tanks cracking.

12-22-2013, 01:02 PM	#3
gbur Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Spotsylvania,Va Posts: 354 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: fuel cell alum or poly? Aluminum tanks require care in mounting so as they do not crack

12-22-2013, 01:35 PM	#4
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,542 Likes: 34 Liked 138 Times in 51 Posts	Re: fuel cell alum or poly? Cracks may result from being mounted by the 4 tabs onto an uneven or flexing surface. I believe it's suppose to be secured with straps. I think there was a discussion somewhere about that. I must admit that I use the tabs and haven't gotten around to adding straps. But my aluminum cell is mounted on boxed-in rails spanning the spare tire well. That creates a flat, stiffer foundation and helps isolate the cell. __________________ LOCOMOTION Racing

12-24-2013, 10:35 AM	#5
Floyd Staggs VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cucamonga, CA Posts: 1,522 Likes: 145 Liked 227 Times in 99 Posts	Re: fuel cell alum or poly? I've got a custom made one that fits under the bed of my pickup. It's mounted with tabs and straps with rubber insulators. Every seam on it has been rewelded over a few years. __________________ Floyd Staggs 787 SST

12-24-2013, 10:45 AM	#6
rallye bob Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Genoa, Illinois Posts: 489 Likes: 9 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Re: fuel cell alum or poly? I have had an aluminum cell (16 gal) mounted in my trunk the same as Myron's for probably 10 years.... Never a leak... I hope I didn't just jinx myself ;-)

12-25-2013, 01:27 PM	#7
Ron Gusack Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 244 Likes: 1 Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts	Re: fuel cell alum or poly? I mounted mine with firm rubber strips under the tabs. Hasn't leaked in 6 years, but I never knew of this problem. Now I'm worried. I just went through the stock Nova trunk floor with 3/8's bolts.

12-25-2013, 03:12 PM	#8
Greg Hill VIP Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Louisville , KY Posts: 1,995 Likes: 68 Liked 279 Times in 68 Posts	Re: fuel cell alum or poly? 5gal. Aluminum since the first year they were legal in stock with no problems. __________________ Greg Hill 4171 STK

12-25-2013, 04:18 PM	#9
GUMP VIP Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shelby, NC Posts: 1,817 Likes: 2,153 Liked 2,336 Times in 549 Posts	Re: fuel cell alum or poly? The first one I did was poly. It always seaped around the fittings. I switched to using aluminum on all my cars and have never had an issue since.

12-27-2013, 06:29 PM	#10
G Anderson Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 105 Likes: 13 Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: fuel cell alum or poly? Stainless !