Fuel Cell & Battery Box

mitz81

mitz81

Forum Member
I have a fuel cell and battery box that I am mounting in the trunk ... I was told that they had to be a certain distance apart from each other by NHRA standards, does anyone know what the distance is?
 
mitz81 said:
Could you expand on that a little bit?

& Sorry wrong forum.
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Unless your ready to put in a shield between the trunk and passenger compartment, install a cut off switch, and if you mount the fuel cell below the trunk a shield around it then your wasting your time. Unless your building a race car, there really doesnt seem to be much of a point to it.

I have both in my vehicle and hate them. I get hassled everytime I go to the track for not having a shut off even though a re-located battery is a necessary evil with no fenderwells. I'd sump the stock tank before I went with a fuel cell. Plus a battery closer to the alternator is easier all the way around. Easy to service, easy to remove and install, and easier to jump if it goes dead.
 
There is no rule on this..a freind has the same body style the battery is mounted about 10" from the fuel cell and never been hasled by anyone even the big Heads up orgs. As for the cut off switch who in there right mind would go through the trouble of moving the battery and not installing a cut off switch???

Do it it's worth a lot in weight transfer!! and the fuel cell is up to you but could save some weight and is way easier then trying to weld a sump on a tank and getting it to seal, they are a PITA!!
 
If the fuel cell is plastic you need to have it grounded, I put an aluminum cell in my car and never have an issue with tech.
 
The cell I have is a 15 gal aluminum... it was offered to me for a price I couldn't turn down, so I guess I will go through with it :)

Thanks for the info all
 
85Camaro said:
There is no rule on this..a freind has the same body style the battery is mounted about 10" from the fuel cell and never been hasled by anyone even the big Heads up orgs.
Click to expand...
I just received my '97 NHRA rulebook and I can concur with this. I have a relocated battery, fuel cell and disconnect switch all located within close proximity of each other with no problems (tech insp. or otherwise). Many other cars have been built like this for years also.

85Camaro said:
Do it it's worth a lot in weight transfer!!
Click to expand...
X2. The weight distribution (read: traction) in your car is greatly improved with this relatively simple mod.
 
I say do it also.. never had a prob with my old car had a water res for the water to air, battery, 10lb bottle and a 16 gal cell all stuck in the hatch and not one ever said anything..
 
85Camaro said:
There is no rule on this..a freind has the same body style the battery is mounted about 10" from the fuel cell and never been hasled by anyone even the big Heads up orgs. As for the cut off switch who in there right mind would go through the trouble of moving the battery and not installing a cut off switch???

Do it it's worth a lot in weight transfer!! and the fuel cell is up to you but could save some weight and is way easier then trying to weld a sump on a tank and getting it to seal, they are a PITA!!
Click to expand...

You say someone would not be in their right mind for not installing a cuff off switch. Can you explain the necessity of this just because the battery is in the trunk? I don't get it what the difference if its in the trunk or under the hood? I want to put my battery in the back of my Corvette but don't want an ugly ass switch hanging out the back of my car.
 
The cut off switch is a safety item. It is required either at 10.99 or 9.99,
not sure, check the rule book.
Disclaimer: Just because you've gotten through tech at a track rental or at Lapeer or Ubley doesn't mean it's not an NHRA/IHRA rule.
 
MCM said:
I just received my '97 NHRA rulebook and I can concur with this. I have a relocated battery, fuel cell and disconnect switch all located within close proximity of each other with no problems (tech insp. or otherwise). Many other cars have been built like this for years also.

X2. The weight distribution (read: traction) in your car is greatly improved with this relatively simple mod.
Click to expand...

Time to buy an '07 NHRA rulebook :icon_mrgr
 
orangejuiced86 said:
i have cell and a battery in my hatch. I made a fire wall in 20 minutes, lol. I have never been hassled once about it.
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2nd gens are a little harder to make a firewall for...

If you want a fuel cell and cut off in a 13 sec. car ok, but I guess its your perogrative.

I get hassled for not having a cut off switch. I'd rather not have a fuel cell so I could haul stuff in the back of my truck and not worry about having a tonneau cover because my battery and fuel cell are exposed. 2nd gens have zero room left under the trunk after you cram a fuel cell in there also.
 
PurpleHaze said:
You say someone would not be in their right mind for not installing a cuff off switch. Can you explain the necessity of this just because the battery is in the trunk? I don't get it what the difference if its in the trunk or under the hood? I want to put my battery in the back of my Corvette but don't want an ugly ass switch hanging out the back of my car.
Click to expand...

Agreed 100%. I've seen cut off switches hidden very well, but then whats point? :dontknow:

But like mls48341 said after a certain E/T they are required weather or not the battery is relocated as a safety item.
 
HemiChallenger said:
Agreed 100%. I've seen cut off switches hidden very well, but then whats point? :dontknow:

But like mls48341 said after a certain E/T they are required weather or not the battery is relocated as a safety item.
Click to expand...


what is the point of a cut off switch you ask? pinch a -3 ga cable that is connected to a battery between 2 peices of metal till it shorts out and you will see!!hahaha. garantee after you do that once you will want a cut off switch. Another reason take a #8 fuel line and flow some fuel through it via an electric pump... you will be suprized how fast you can empty a 8gal fuel cell when a #8 line or fitting breaks on impact. Doesn't take long to burn a car to the ground with a situation like that. I have seen many cars and people saved by cut off switches... There was just one at milan at the last heads up race that had a huge explosion at the starting line and the flames where over the roof of the car. as soon as his crew guy hit the cutoff the flames went down to almost nothing... this is why you want a cut off swith on your 13 sec car..... It can be hidden and very descreat...and is the easiest thing to hook up and they are really cheaparound $25.

as for why do you not need it if the battery is monted under the hood? Not sure but I have seen track workers cut battery cables when they are mounted under the hood and crash...

The rear firewall is only needed when you have a NOS bottle back ther with no blow down tube that exits the vehicle...or no back seat in the car seperating you from the fuel cell(not that that will make much of a differance) a rear fire wall is a good idea incase of a fire..easy to make out of sheet metal or alum...and can be installed with some sheet metal screws if a welder is not available...Have seen cars run 9's on spary and not have one and never get hassled..
 
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85Camaro said:
.
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I think you missed my point, whats the point of a cut off if its hidden? Safety crew doesnt find it when the car crashes etc. etc. etc. I guess to each their own.

Once again im talking about a street car same as purplehaze, everyone else is reffering to track cars.
 
as for hidden, run one of the ones that uses a rod to actuate, run it through a older tail light, and when on the street, remove the rod, and swap the tail light to a good one

your ON/OFF decal will be on the tail light as well
 
dave89iroc said:
as for hidden, run one of the ones that uses a rod to actuate, run it through a older tail light, and when on the street, remove the rod, and swap the tail light to a good one

your ON/OFF decal will be on the tail light as well
Click to expand...


Thank you!! At least someone gets the picture!
 
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