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Trap door mod with a twist

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Old Feb 4, 2014 | 06:05 PM
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Default Trap door mod with a twist

Sanity check: I need to replace my fuel tank pressure sensor and vent solenoid, as well as pull off the lines from the charcoal canister and clear them. Being that they're right behind the fuel pump, I don't see why I can't just make a larger-than-normal trap door and pull them right out. Anyone see any reason why this wouldn't work?

Diagram of parts (the tank is facing the opposite way as it is in the in-car picture):


Based on this picture of a trap door mod from another thread, it looks like I just need to cut another few inches until I'm right up against the wall of the trunk to get to the canister. Yes???

Last edited by fruitsalad; Feb 4, 2014 at 06:10 PM.
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Old Feb 5, 2014 | 03:15 AM
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Yes, when I bought my car the original owner cut a huge trap door in mine...

Guess he didn't have the Internet to research where to cut!!
Attached Thumbnails Trap door mod with a twist-image-1546014327.jpg  
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Old Feb 5, 2014 | 07:08 AM
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^^ Thats not too bad Burken01...my 98 Z28 had an 18x15 or so panel cut out of it...that was massive! Original owner put in a Walbro 255.
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Old Feb 5, 2014 | 11:10 AM
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I'll report back with results!
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Old Feb 5, 2014 | 11:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Burken01
Yes, when I bought my car the original owner cut a huge trap door in mine...

Guess he didn't have the Internet to research where to cut!!
that actually is perfect.i like to have a bit more room incase i needed the clearance n what not.
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Old Feb 5, 2014 | 03:10 PM
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Yeah it works good, plus it has the built in swivel at the end lip!

Once it's covered it doesn't matter how big it is really, within reason of course
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Old Feb 5, 2014 | 03:32 PM
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Im going to say it....because someone always says it. When you do the trap door method you are messing with the structural integrity of your car...especially if you cut a very large section out of it.

That being said, I did the trap door mod myself on an 01 Z28 and walked away from that job happy because I didnt have to cut my exhaust and remove half of my suspension to change a fuel pump. I wish GM had this trap door installed from the factory
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Old Feb 5, 2014 | 03:46 PM
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Also, be careful when cutting around the charcoal canister area. The canister is pretty much right against the metal and you will cut into it if you cut too deep. I used a metal cut off wheel on a grinder and cut a a depth just enough to cut through the sheet metal and I still grazed the canister a little bit.
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Old Feb 5, 2014 | 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by MadFirehawk86
Im going to say it....because someone always says it. When you do the trap door method you are messing with the structural integrity of your car...especially if you cut a very large section out of it.
That being said, I did the trap door mod myself on an 01 Z28 and walked away from that job happy because I didnt have to cut my exhaust and remove half of my suspension to change a fuel pump. I wish GM had this trap door installed from the factory
Of course I'd rather not put a hole in my car and pull up a bunch of carpet but it's better than the alternative.

Originally Posted by MadFirehawk86
Also, be careful when cutting around the charcoal canister area. The canister is pretty much right against the metal and you will cut into it if you cut too deep. I used a metal cut off wheel on a grinder and cut a a depth just enough to cut through the sheet metal and I still grazed the canister a little bit.
Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. I might have to replace mine anyway if the charcoal is starting to come apart and block the purge and vent lines.

When you grazed it, was it just cosmetic damage, or did it puncture?
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Old Feb 5, 2014 | 04:29 PM
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It was just on the surface and was cosmetic luckily...the plastic is relatively thick.

When using the cut off wheel just pay close attention to your depth and only cut at a depth deep enough to cut the metal without the wheel protruding on the other side of the metal.
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Old Feb 5, 2014 | 06:42 PM
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I've never seen any structural damage by doing a trap door mod, so until then that myth is busted!
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Old Feb 6, 2014 | 12:42 AM
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Okay.... What grit cutting wheel should I be using?
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Old Feb 6, 2014 | 01:53 AM
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Just look for a cutting wheel for metal...1/16" thick with a 5/8 hub hole for a grinder. The metal you are cutting into is ferrous so ideally you want to find a cut off wheel that cuts ferrous metals. Not trying to turn this into a science project lol.

Lowes or Home Depot will have what you need.
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Old Feb 6, 2014 | 10:14 AM
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Loosen the straps that hold the tank and let it drop down a couple of inches and you wont have any issues with "accidentally cutting into something"
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Old Feb 6, 2014 | 11:16 AM
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Mine is a 3/8 hole. I have one that says METAL but it's not cutting any metal... lol
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Old Feb 6, 2014 | 12:39 PM
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I've used a little dremel before to do the trap door mod, and 2 of the little metal blades it came with..

39.99 Home Depot special!!
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Old Feb 6, 2014 | 12:47 PM
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I got mine at Harbor Freight... ... the wheel it came with is supposedly for metal but it's not doing a damn thing except polishing away my cut lines.
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Old Feb 7, 2014 | 08:02 AM
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Fruitsalad, as this is about a vehicle body mod, not an external engine mod, you should've posted this thread in a vehicle section.

Cutting a fuel door hatch into a Camaro is NOT an engine modification.
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Old Feb 8, 2014 | 12:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Paul Bell
Fruitsalad, as this is about a vehicle body mod, not an external engine mod, you should've posted this thread in a vehicle section.

Cutting a fuel door hatch into a Camaro is NOT an engine modification.
If it needs to be moved, please by all means do so. Maybe to Fueling???

Anyway, I'm stumped. While trying to remove & replace the tank pressure sensor, it broke off in the bung. The little stem and rubber grommet is stuck in there. How am I supposed to get this little ****** out?
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Old Feb 8, 2014 | 12:40 AM
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Originally Posted by fruitsalad

If it needs to be moved, please by all means do so. Maybe to Fueling???

Anyway, I'm stumped. While trying to remove & replace the tank pressure sensor, it broke off in the bung. The little stem and rubber grommet is stuck in there. How am I supposed to get this little ****** out?
Get a screwdriver and push the plastic piece through the grommet and into the tank.. It has a lip on the other side so it won't come out the way you wanted it to

Fish it out after you remove the sending unit, or leave it in it won't hurt floating in there.. It'll never get through the filter to hurt anything
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