AFFORDABLE custom fuel tanks?
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Staging Lane
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From: Mankato, Minnesota
AFFORDABLE custom fuel tanks? Is there anyone out there who makes affordable custom fuel tanks? And WTF is the deal with LS1-appropriate fuel pumps being so darn expensive? I've looked all around and the lowest price I can find on an under-bed fuel tank for my '64 C-10 is still several hundred dollars. Then to add an LS1 fuel pump to the tank, the price doubles -- or worse! I got a call this morning from Rick's Hot Rod Shop. They'll do a stainless tank (it's one they do all the time, they said, so it's not a special configuration) for "only" $965 with the pump and sending unit, not including the Corvette-style regulator. I about dropped the phone. 
Does anyone have a recommendation for someone, either a company or a private individual, who deals with people on a "normal" budget who need custom fuel tanks? I'm just having a really hard time believing that it costs as much for a fuel tank and pump as it does for a bulletproof tranny or a budget-built engine. No, I can't do it myself (or I would) and yes, I understand that there's more involved in the price for <insert item here> than the raw materials alone, but I don't understand why the prices are THAT high.
Any leads are appreciated!
Thanks,
Brent
Does anyone have a recommendation for someone, either a company or a private individual, who deals with people on a "normal" budget who need custom fuel tanks? I'm just having a really hard time believing that it costs as much for a fuel tank and pump as it does for a bulletproof tranny or a budget-built engine. No, I can't do it myself (or I would) and yes, I understand that there's more involved in the price for <insert item here> than the raw materials alone, but I don't understand why the prices are THAT high.
Any leads are appreciated!
Thanks,
Brent
I saw these guys mentioned in an earlier thread and they seem a little more reasonable. I have no experience with them, but plan to call them myself.
http://www.tanksinc.com/
Let us know what you find out
Pat
http://www.tanksinc.com/
Let us know what you find out
Pat
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
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I'll have to give them a call. They seem to deal primarily with the earlier stuff, but maybe their universal truck tank would do the trick. The nice thing about them is they're not THAT far away from me. In fact, I'll pass within an hour of them at the end of this week. Thanks for the tip! :-)
Teching In
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There are others available, but supposedly you can put a late model in-tank pump into these tanks. Use the corvette regulator and that should be it.
http://www.gmcpauls.com/fuel_tank_&_related1.htm
http://www.gmcpauls.com/fuel_tank_&_related1.htm
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
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Funny you should mention GMC Paul's -- I just got off the phone with them and am waiting for a call back from a technical person. :-)
Talked to a guy at Dixie Truck Works who was nice but didn't know jack about FI. They've got a rail-mount tank kit for $250 (even though the site says $200) that includes a 16-gallon tank, sending unit, and straps. Had no idea if it could be modified to work for my application and I don't know nearly enough about FI myself to figure it out. If I knew the theory and best practices behind building in-tank pumps I'd sure be miles ahead here. :-(
Talked to a guy at Dixie Truck Works who was nice but didn't know jack about FI. They've got a rail-mount tank kit for $250 (even though the site says $200) that includes a 16-gallon tank, sending unit, and straps. Had no idea if it could be modified to work for my application and I don't know nearly enough about FI myself to figure it out. If I knew the theory and best practices behind building in-tank pumps I'd sure be miles ahead here. :-(
Teching In
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I have found a couple more. Probably everybody selling someone else's tank. The in-tank pumps will all fit the upper lock ring, I believe it is all a question of depth of the tank and the proper fittings on the in-tank outlet. Tell us if you find somthing.
matt
matt
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The TanksInc people have a universal in tank pump that looks like it could be adapted. I called them and was told it will work with tanks between 7-10" deep. You just cut it to fit. It also has it's own mini baffle system. The tank in my car is only 5.5 inches deep, I am thinking of adding a sump to accomodate this pump. Just add the corvette regulator/filter in line and should be ready to go
http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/pa...prod/prd84.htm
Pat
http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/pa...prod/prd84.htm
Pat
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Staging Lane
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I talked to a woman at Tanks Inc. an hour or two ago and I may well end up going that route. They're semi-local and seem to have their products in some REALLY nice cars, according to a Google search and some browsing/drooling.
Now what I'm wondering about is poly vs. steel. Any thoughts? Maybe I should start a new thread for this question. Poly won't rust but steel is stronger. I don't expect to see any snow or salt in this truck when it's finished, so rust isn't an issue, and the added strength of steel when encountering road debris would be a huge benefit. So am I missing something and there's a reason besides rust resistance to go with poly?
Now what I'm wondering about is poly vs. steel. Any thoughts? Maybe I should start a new thread for this question. Poly won't rust but steel is stronger. I don't expect to see any snow or salt in this truck when it's finished, so rust isn't an issue, and the added strength of steel when encountering road debris would be a huge benefit. So am I missing something and there's a reason besides rust resistance to go with poly?
I think weight is an issue which is why the manufacturers are going poly. Keep the weight down get better fuel mileage. Also I think the poly tanks may be more durable than you think.
Pat
Pat
Originally Posted by Stu Cool
I think weight is an issue which is why the manufacturers are going poly. Keep the weight down get better fuel mileage. Also I think the poly tanks may be more durable than you think.
Pat
Pat
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Staging Lane
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From: Mankato, Minnesota
Originally Posted by primate
we just cut and made an ls1 pump work in the factory tank...
Teching In
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http://www.cardomain.com/id/delta_ss
page 3
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/716267/3
i have a few more pics, can answer questions...
page 3
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/716267/3
i have a few more pics, can answer questions...
Originally Posted by primate
http://www.cardomain.com/id/delta_ss
page 3
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/716267/3
i have a few more pics, can answer questions...
page 3
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/716267/3
i have a few more pics, can answer questions...
Originally Posted by SatisTraction
where did you get the "ring" part that you welded onto the stock tank?
I'm wondering if a Camaro tank is deep enough. I'm doing an '03 LS6 into my '70 RS and trying to keep from having to install a fuel cell.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
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From: Mankato, Minnesota
Originally Posted by primate
http://www.cardomain.com/id/delta_ss
page 3
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/716267/3
i have a few more pics, can answer questions...
page 3
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/716267/3
i have a few more pics, can answer questions...
Thanks again,
Brent
Teching In
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Originally Posted by SatisTraction
where did you get the "ring" part that you welded onto the stock tank?
the biggest thing is worrying about how to get both floats to read full and empty at the same time...it wasnt too bad. we got it to work.
the camaro tank was deeper than the delta tank, so it took some creative bending.
