5-1600 Fuel Cell

[Patricio]

What brand and size of Fuel cell do you guys recommend for a 5-1600 race car? I was thunking of a 22 gallon FUEL SAFE but would like your guys input and opinions. Thanks.

[Racbaja]

Most guys like to run a 16 gallon cell so they can stick it down low behind the rear seats. I run a 22 gallon cell and actually built the cage around this thing. Due to refabbing the rear, we are going to have to change mounting locations and run it higher than I would like. I run Jazz and it works alright but you are going to have to modify the pick up tube a little to eliminate the damn thing from popping up, no biggie. Try to mount the cell as low as possible since our cars are so top heavy anyways.

Ron Plunkett
Plunkett Racing

[Patricio]

Thanks for the info I'll probably have many more questions so thanks for the patience and time to answer them.

[NIKAL]

We run a 22 gal Fuel Safe with aluminum can. It sits 1 inch off the top of the tunnal behind the seats. It fits perfectly in that location. Remeber a 22 gal cell really only holds about 20.6 gal. The volume of the foam in the bladder takes up about 1.4 gal of space. Depending on where you plan on racing and how long the races are, is what I would use to determan what size cell to use. Also if you have the money and you are really conserned about your center of gravity, you could order a saddle cell that goes over the tunnel. It costs about 50% more then the 22 gal aluminum Fuel Safe.

[Negrete 5-1600]

We currently use a 16 gallon fuel cell (Fuel Safe). Most 5-1600's use a 22 gal cell. You're going to get about 6-8 miles a gallon, depending on the terrain (sand, silt, hills). It all depends on how many fuel stops you want to do, based on the length of the race, if it's laps or one big loop, where your pits are going to be, where chasers will be or can get to. You also can consider starting half full and topping it off at the first pit, or just starting full and going as far as the gas will take you then filling up again. It all depends on the course, if you want to come out heavy or light, and your strategy. We have to look at it differently since we have a smaller fuel cell.

[Patricio]

We run a 22 gal Fuel Safe with aluminum can. It sits 1 inch off the top of the tunnal behind the seats. It fits perfectly in that location. Remeber a 22 gal cell really only holds about 20.6 gal. The volume of the foam in the bladder takes up about 1.4 gal of space. Depending on where you plan on racing and how long the races are, is what I would use to determan what size cell to use. Also if you have the money and you are really conserned about your center of gravity, you could order a saddle cell that goes over the tunnel. It costs about 50% more then the 22 gal aluminum Fuel Safe.


That is actually the fuel cell I was looking at. I guess the 16 gallon one is a good choice to save weight and space but I guess you will have to pit more depending on the course. Well guys thanks for the info. Do you guys happen to have any pictures of the 22 and 16 gallon fuel cells installed?

[powerbox_builder]

The way to go is use a 22 but have the fill plate moved to one corner. Then the fill hole can go below the window and you have all that room in the back for the spare.

[Patricio]

The way to go is use a 22 but have the fill plate moved to one corner. Then the fill hole can go below the window and you have all that room in the back for the spare.

Thanks for the tip. It makes total sense to move the fill plate to a corner, I think I would have missed that. Is ther any reason why everybody has the fill inlet on the right of the car? Wouldn't it be easier to have it on the left for the pits? Thanks.

[powerbox_builder]

If you have the cell built that way it costs alot. I have seen people move the fill plate around on cheaper cells. We always put the filler on the right so there is less chance of the driver getting splashed, but putting it on the pit side is a good idea also.