Fancy fuel tank - worth it? Hot Rod City Garage

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rmchrgr

rmchrgr

Skate And Destroy
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Done some fuel line stuff on the Duster recently and ran into a few issues with some of the lines. While the car is currently down, I am looking into a few options on how to move forward.

I like the aluminum fuel tanks Hot Rod City Garage makes. Just trying to justify the cost of something like this which is essentially a 'better mouse trap". I can't really see any added benefit over the stock tank other than A) looks and B) some weight savings. The tanks are quite nice, made from .090" aluminum and tig welded. Internal baffles are standard and they bolt up using the stock straps.

You need to buy a 'generic' sender from them since the hole they make for it is a different size than the OE one which adds another $45.

I dunno, I just like the the thing and would like to have it on my car.

Here's a link: http://www.hotrodcitygarage.com/mopartanks.html

Anyone have any opinions/experience/input on these things?

Thanks,

- Greg
 
well the baffles will mean no more sloshing tank and wandering fuel gauge. other than that i dont know of any benefit besides it wont rust lol
 
.......and they will narrow it down so you will have an easier time of running tail pipes if you have relocated springs.
 
inkjunkie said:
.......and they will narrow it down so you will have an easier time of running tail pipes if you have relocated springs.
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Springs are offset but not relocated. Stock tank is in there now. Exhaust is 3" tubes with tail pipes all the way back to the bumper. Probably would not need to be narrowed.

I think they put the sender to the right as opposed to in the center. Might be easier to run the line from there which is a primary concern for me.
 
Those things are a mint! If you got the money to make someone else rich, go for it, Otherwise I dont see much. Some guys like going big $$, these are for them.
 
pishta said:
Those things are a mint! If you got the money to make someone else rich, go for it, Otherwise I dont see much. Some guys like going big $$, these are for them.
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When you add it up, it's not too much more than a stock tank/sender. I agree though, lot of money for something that doesn't add a whole lot.

Again, I just like it.
 
rmchrgr said:
When you add it up, it's not too much more than a stock tank/sender. I agree though, lot of money for something that doesn't add a whole lot.

Again, I just like it.
Click to expand...
By the time you buy a sump and pay someone to weld it on (if you are not a welder) it no doubt is not that big of a difference. In the grand scheme of building one of these things is $2-300 really that big of a deal? Factory tank will not be baffled. And if you are going EFI they can mount a pump in it as well.....
 
They're very nice tanks and well constructed in my opinion. I was fortunate to pick one up basically at half-price a couple of years ago at one of the "Fling" events here in SoCal from a FABO member.
My Dart is still in construction-mode and the tank isn't in yet. PM me if you have any questions on dimensions or if you need any specific pics of the tank that don't show in their ads.
 
inkjunkie said:
By the time you buy a sump and pay someone to weld it on (if you are not a welder) it no doubt is not that big of a difference. In the grand scheme of building one of these things is $2-300 really that big of a deal? Factory tank will not be baffled. And if you are going EFI they can mount a pump in it as well.....
Click to expand...

:cheers:
 
looks like a nice tank....dont see how it could be any lighter than a stock tank though. it is nice...i wonder if you have to mess with the filler tube since their inlet looks different than factory....
 
mopardude318 said:
looks like a nice tank....dont see how it could be any lighter than a stock tank though. it is nice...i wonder if you have to mess with the filler tube since their inlet looks different than factory....
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I would think aluminum would be lighter than galvanized steel? :dontknow:

You do have to figure out how to adapt to the filler tube. Probably have to cut the filler tube and splice in a hose or something like that.
 
inkjunkie said:
By the time you buy a sump and pay someone to weld it on (if you are not a welder) it no doubt is not that big of a difference. In the grand scheme of building one of these things is $2-300 really that big of a deal? Factory tank will not be baffled. And if you are going EFI they can mount a pump in it as well.....
Click to expand...
and because they look awesome ! LOL
 
May have found another solution for my goals - it's a fancy fuel sender/pickup from RobbMc. See here.

WAY less expensive than an entire tank, has a 1/2" pickup and sits deeper than the OE sock sender. No cutting of the filler tube, bolts right in to the OE position and has the correct ohm setting for stock gauges. Probably will help my fuel pump out too with the increased volume.

Since it's larger and sits deeper in the tank the need for a sump is eliminated. They can also install -8 AN fittings so I can run my Russell Pro Classic line down to the frame and meet the hard line without making all sorts of bends over the shocks and rear frame. That particular issue was one of my primary considerations for doing this all in the first place, trying to eliminate rubber hose and clamps from the delivery system.

I'm liking this idea, seems to be more of a functional solution than an entirely new tank which in my mind appears to solve fewer functionality issues and may even create more. Gonna give these guys a call tomorrow to get some more details.
 
rmchrgr said:
May have found another solution for my goals - it's a fancy fuel sender/pickup from RobbMc. See here.

WAY less expensive than an entire tank, has a 1/2" pickup and sits deeper than the OE sock sender. No cutting of the filler tube, bolts right in to the OE position and has the correct ohm setting for stock gauges. Probably will help my fuel pump out too with the increased volume.

Since it's larger and sits deeper in the tank the need for a sump is eliminated. They can also install -8 AN fittings so I can run my Russell Pro Classic line down to the frame and meet the hard line without making all sorts of bends over the shocks and rear frame. That particular issue was one of my primary considerations for doing this all in the first place, trying to eliminate rubber hose and clamps from the delivery system.

I'm liking this idea, seems to be more of a functional solution than an entirely new tank which in my mind appears to solve fewer functionality issues and may even create more. Gonna give these guys a call tomorrow to get some more details.
Click to expand...

A sump has a purpose that I doubt any sending unit can replicate, lowest, rearmost part of the tank is where the fuel will be during hard acceleration. Couple that with the baffles in the aluminum tank (for when there is only a few gallons in it) and there is no sending unit around that will out perform it, least that is what I think......
 
inkjunkie said:
A sump has a purpose that I doubt any sending unit can replicate, lowest, rearmost part of the tank is where the fuel will be during hard acceleration. Couple that with the baffles in the aluminum tank (for when there is only a few gallons in it) and there is no sending unit around that will out perform it, least that is what I think......
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I do understand what you're saying but currently my OE tank does not have a sump or baffles. This is a 12.0 car and the P.O. never mentioned any issues with starvation with this system so I believe it to be OK. The new larger/lower pickup can only help IMO.

In the course of doing all this stuff, I have run into a delivery problem to the extent where there is no fuel in the carb bowls, nothing is getting sucked out of the tank and the car won't start. Not sure if there is an air leak, bad restriction or a mechanical issue but I am trying to sort it out.

Again, I think a larger pickup that sits deeper in the tank can only benefit.
 
Nice looking tank and darned near 20 gallons? The stocker is about 15 isn't it? Longer cruise range!!!!!!!!!!!! tmm
 
toolmanmike said:
Nice looking tank and darned near 20 gallons? The stocker is about 15 isn't it? Longer cruise range!!!!!!!!!!!! tmm
Click to expand...
I think it can be made deeper than what it is, getting close to 23-24 gallons....
 
Went and got the RobbMc 1/2" sending unit instead of the H.R.C.G. tank. Part arrived today, looks well made at first glance and comparing it to the original part makes the OE piece look downright prehistoric. Came with -8 AN fittings already installed which allows me to run my spiffy Russell hose from the tank to the frame.

You know, I just couldn't wrap my head around spending over $550 on a fuel tank which in my mind adds very little in the way of performance or even functionality. The more I thought about it, the improved pickup will accomplish the job of fuel delivery better (obviously?) than a tank itself. H.R.C.G. unfortunately does not offer an improved pickup/sender design with their tanks, they give you a generic one. Maybe they should... Plus, the need to cut the filler tube adds further complexity. Not a lot really, but enough to have to put some thought into how to make it happen.

I really liked the idea of an aluminum tank, kinda like a 'better mouse trap'. Ultimately though, the cost vs. value of the tank compared to the sender just didn't add up for me, I felt like difference in money could be better spent elsewhere in the car. Holy crap, I used restraint!

Hope this thing works. Report to come.
 
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