LT1-LT4 Modifications - Well aint this just peachy?

Has any one done the "trap door" mod to get to the fuel pump? Is it worth it? I plan on keeping this car for years to come, so I may just end up doing the modification. Any tips, tricks I need to know about?:confused:

Probably one of the most searched criteria in the LT1 section.

I did it. 15 min of cutting > few hours of pulling rear, exhaust, suspension, ext.

I will admit my car dropping the tank is easy so that probably sways my opinion.
The way I look at it though is this is something you will likely only do once and IMO cutting a hole gives rust and leaks a great place to start.

Yes it will suck spending a lot of time to tear the tank out BUT you wont create any possible issues later.

It is not like fuel pumps are a weak link in this car and you need to expect and prepare to change them regularly.

I would do it but as 96capricemgr said it's a great place forrust and stuff to start. IMO if you do it make sure you take steps after word to sand and paint the area to prevent corrosion.

just do the trap door mod, and yes it's worth it

I will admit my car dropping the tank is easy so that probably sways my opinion.
The way I look at it though is this is something you will likely only do once and IMO cutting a hole gives rust and leaks a great place to start.

Yes it will suck spending a lot of time to tear the tank out BUT you wont create any possible issues later.

It is not like fuel pumps are a weak link in this car and you need to expect and prepare to change them regularly.

I look at it like this IF somethin stupid happened & the tank Exploded That TRAP Door IS SHRAPNEL!!!!! Youd look real good decapatated (sp) by your own car!! Just my 2 cents! Yeah its a bitch to drop everything out of the way & thats why my new exhaust will be removable in sections :cool:

Painting will only help a little, once the factory galvanizing is disturbed an area will rust MUCH MUCH more easily the next time.

I wasn't thrilled about cutting into my car, but the alternative wasn't worth it. When you make the cut try to get as much access to the fuel and vent lines as possible.

I look at it like this IF somethin stupid happened & the tank Exploded That TRAP Door IS SHRAPNEL!!!!! Youd look real good decapatated (sp) by your own car!! Just my 2 cents! Yeah its a bitch to drop everything out of the way & thats why my new exhaust will be removable in sections :cool:

Lol, Its a good thing I have a custom sub box, that'll be sitting on top of it, then.

So you're telling me I'm in danger of being decapitated?!

it didnt take me that long to drop the axle and pull mine. You can actually leave the axle attached to the control arm and just let it hang and still pull the tanks with a little work.

when i pulled mine it gave me a chance to inspect and replace stuff that needed it as well as clean and paint a little light surface rust as well.

If you want you can do the trap door as well. I don't think there is any difference i just prefer to drop the axle my self.

Well if you use some POR-15 to paint the area you'll never have to worry about it rusting and for the poster who questioned the gas tank exploding, believe me whether or not you have a trap door shrapnel will fly everywhere anyway and your no less likely to be hit by it if you don't have a trap door. The Z28 I have now already had the mod in it when I got it so that was one less mod I had to do.

If the pump install goes well, you might think the trap door wasn't worth it. If it doesn't, you'll be glad you did the trap door mod.

The pump I installed was defective and had to be removed and replaced.

Speaking from professional experience involving explosives work in the US Army, if the tank goes boom, that trapdoor is just gonna go up and out through your back glass. The expanding pressure wave is going to push up on it, flexing it at the center, before the edges break where it was riveted, bolted, etc. and flying out the window. But you won't care b/c if you aren't dead, you'll be a flaming ball of hate and discontent trying to get out and run in a crazed circle before you die as the crackling flames caress your charred skin. :D

I've done many of them, including two of my personal vehicles. 15 minutes and it was done. If I didn't do it like that in my newest car I would have been pissed since my new Racetronix shit out within a week!

Let the sparks fly!

Looked like the 4th of july under my hatch when I did mine.

Let the sparks fly!

Looked like the 4th of july under my hatch when I did mine.


i envisioned this in my head... LOL ... vote for trap door mod

So you're telling me I'm in danger of being decapitated?!

LoL I said IF somethin stupid happened & the gas tank happened to blow up IT COULD Since those few lil screws or Dzus fastners everyone uses are weaker than the Factory had it Because most guys have all the carpet & padding stripped out too Ive seen some freak shit happen on race track Both Circle & at the Drag Strip!!! Some newer cars might have em but I bet they arent an open design like 3rd & 4th gen F-bodies My car wont have the "Trap Door" mod done BUT Itll have an exhaust thatll come out easy to work on shit bet I really get flamed for this Trap Door = Lazy DO IT THE RIGHT WAY LoL guys on flat rate at a dealership dont do that shit LMAO & before a motherfucker flames too hard I am a SeaDoo , Suzuki , Yamaha & Chrysler Certified Technician :cool: Not pointing that in any direction Just sayin LoL I would personally be pissed if I bought a car & some kid hacked it up like that Wouldnt you LoL Itll decrease any value the car might have had Think ahead fellas Oh & C4 is a LiL different than GASOLINE LMAO

wow...

There is a difference between doing it in your driveway and doing it at a dealership.

LoL I said IF somethin stupid happened & the gas tank happened to blow up IT COULD Since those few lil screws or Dzus fastners everyone uses are weaker than the Factory had it Because most guys have all the carpet & padding stripped out too Ive seen some freak shit happen on race track Both Circle & at the Drag Strip!!! Some newer cars might have em but I bet they arent an open design like 3rd & 4th gen F-bodies My car wont have the "Trap Door" mod done BUT Itll have an exhaust thatll come out easy to work on shit bet I really get flamed for this Trap Door = Lazy DO IT THE RIGHT WAY LoL guys on flat rate at a dealership dont do that shit LMAO & before a motherfucker flames too hard I am a SeaDoo , Suzuki , Yamaha & Chrysler Certified Technician :cool: Not pointing that in any direction Just sayin LoL I would personally be pissed if I bought a car & some kid hacked it up like that Wouldnt you LoL Itll decrease any value the car might have had Think ahead fellas Oh & C4 is a LiL different than GASOLINE LMAO

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBwUuiehwBQ/T4IExllkxQI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/Rrxy4fkHypc/s1600/george-bush-gif.gif

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBwUuiehwBQ/T4IExllkxQI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/Rrxy4fkHypc/s1600/george-bush-gif.gif

LMFAO Thats Fuckin FUNNY Too each his own. Ive done a fuel pump swap on the side of the highway!!! A lift makes life a lot easier. But isnt needed. Bet since I hit 40 I tow shit home & work on it!! LoL Most likely one wont ever blow up! I bet the sweet vette on youtube that melted to the ground didnt think it woulda done that after the nitrous install either. LoL SHIT HAPPENS Be as safe as you can while yer havin fun... :buttkick:

just did this to my car the other day, i plan on keeping my car though, its not bad if you keep the carpet , i'm going to be revising mine after i get my car running but in a pinch its quick and its a nice feature to have if you do it right.... wish i did mine slightly better though, if you do it take your time

If rust is a concern after making the cuts, just paint the bare metal whatever color suites your fancy. Leaks (vapors at least if there are any, but that would mean you best replace the plate gasket) are of no concern if a bead of sealant is used.

Thank you everyone. Since I'm a pipe fabricator, I went ahead and made the cut. It was painless, and I laid it out very well. I can say, that if you dont own fuel line removal tools, get you a good set, worth their weight in gold. Its sunday afternoon, and we are tacking a metal plate back in place. i put 6 to 8 small spot welds, and sealed the plate with casket material first. I'll paint it tmw after work, but once again, thank you to everyone that answered, even if you were for or against the mod. In my experience, it was well worth it. Hope everyone has a great day.

I look at it like this IF somethin stupid happened & the tank Exploded That TRAP Door IS SHRAPNEL!!!!! Youd look real good decapatated (sp) by your own car!! Just my 2 cents! Yeah its a bitch to drop everything out of the way & thats why my new exhaust will be removable in sections :cool:

LOL...if your gas tank explodes... your gonna have alot more to worry about than trap door shrapnel....

Would this mod be OK by track officials if seen during an inspection. Is the reconnected panel enough to be considered a "firewall"?