i am working on an rx8 for a 24 hours of lemons car, for those who have raced these, looking for a recommendation on fuel cell location. i do have the option of using the oem tank, but would like to increase the fuel capacity. will mounting a fuel cell behind the rear axle in the spare tire area be bad for handling? i hate to put all of that weight back there, what with the weight of the fuel, cell, and structure to make it safe. i do have the option of going in the cockpit just above where the factory tank would be, but it will be higher up. which option will have the least negative affect on handling?

 

Since nobody else responded to your other post or this one yet, I’ll take a crack at it:

Not sure it really matters given it’s a LeMons race and the $500 spending limitation, but the RR passenger area is probably best wrt cornering weight since it’d be offsetting the driver weight (or reversed if it’s RHD). Cutting the chassis sheet metal and level/blank it off where the OE seat & fuel tank was to position it there as far back as possible toward the RR corner, that would probably be best assuming the rules permit it and the capacity/shape of the fuel tank fits.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8s-sale-w.../#&gid=1&pid=3

 

i was a bit surprised there want more of a response, thanks for the reply. i will measure up and see what can be done to go in the rr corner.

 

or as close as you can per the pics in the thread link, which was just on the RR floor-board as far back as possible.

 

@jatmon What did you end up with? I'm in the same boat, debating if I want to put it in the passenger side and enclose or place in the rear but have to reroute exhaust (assuming but haven't measured). That would at least allow me to have a passenger seat on track days.

If you ever see this let me know what size, placement, if you kept it single or added a return line, and issues you had, I'm looking at the 24G ATL's.

 

i am still using the factory tank. i tried to get lemons tech to allow me to run the stock tank but relocate the filler into the trunk. they said no way. my reall issue is with the location of the stock filler directly above the tire, spilled fuel goes on the tire and hot brakes. yeah some extra capacity would be nice, but i would rather have a better handling car than an extra couple of gallons. fwiw, i do have a tank and pump set from a 2010, hydra mat on the right side pickup, and i have been getting most of the fuel out of the right side of the tank. i just hate the filling situation

 

Thread Revival! How has your Lemons campaign gone? How long of a stint does your 2010 tank + Hydramat get you guys? We're working on a LuckyDog car at the moment and I'm weighing options between a S2 tank + hydramat in an S1 or just ditching the OE tank and putting a fuel cell in the trunk.

Thanks!

 

we were getting about 1.75 hours run time with the factory tank, honda k24 engine. have since put a 20 gallon cell in the trunk area. have installed a pretty good surge tank system, am able to pick up all but maybe a quart of fuel, and getting 3 hours. we dont usually run that long between stops but is nice to know we can. when/where are you running? plan to be at barber with lucky dog in a couple weeks

 

Thanks! My team and I are aiming for Sonoma 2025; new team, first race. Based out in the West Coast I'm not sure if we'll make it out east next year.

Cutting it close with some of the things we want to do. Mainly we hope to be dropping the OE S1 tank and putting a rear fuel cell and surge tank. Still using the MSP but was rebuilt in Sacramento (Haag Performance), commissioned by the the previous owner.

Do you happen to have photos of your current fuel set up? Hoping to get some inspiration and a leg up on getting things planned out. It might turn into a post-race mod before an Oregon Race or 1000 Mile haha

 

Thanks for the information. I'm Ryan's team mate and as he mentioned, our first race will be next Feb 2025 with Lucky Dog. We're still finishing up several things on the car, so our schedule is starting to feel pretty tight. Any details about your setup and any noticeable change in handling with the trunk mounted cell ? I've been in touch with another RX-8 endurance team on the East Coast and they just cut out the trunk "spare tire" area and mounted a 26 gal cell in it's place, so I'm assuming yours may look similar.

 

IN THE TRUNK. TURNS OUT I AM NOT THAT GREAT OF A DRIVER AS I DIDNT NOTICE AS MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE AS I THOUGHT I WOULD. USED AN ATL SURGE TANK MOUNTED FRONT AND CENTER OF THE CELL, WORKS PRETTY WELL APPARENTLY.