Fuel tank relocation to rear? Options

[SirAndy]

I've been thinking about going the Baja route since we're planning to retire down in the islands.

You know what surrounds most islands people would retire to?

Salt water.

In Hawaii, pretty much everything made of any kind of metal corrodes into uselessness in a few years. Even "stainless" steel, aluminum, brass...

Imagine the effect that salt spray would have on a 914.

Sure, but once i move there i'll have another what, 15 years max that i'll be able to drive the car. That should be just about enough to have some fun.
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[Krieger]

Sticking it in the rear is bad.

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[sixnotfour]

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[mlindner]

Not what your looking for but just a different look.

[Dave_Darling]

Sure, but once i move there i'll have another what, 15 years max that i'll be able to drive the car.

15 years of driving is very optimistic, unless you live well up-hill away from the ocean. I feel like a 914 or other old European car would last about 5 years. Maybe 10 if you're careful and never take the car near the water.

--DD

[Mendivil26]

Not what your looking for but just a different look.

THis is cool, any details on where that tank came from?
I like the fact that it leaves space for the cage to come from the inside through the vent holes without cutting additional holes. It also looks right and not just "universal".

[mepstein]

Not what your looking for but just a different look.

THis is cool, any details on where that tank came from?
I like the fact that it leaves space for the cage to come from the inside through the vent holes without cutting additional holes. It also looks right and not just "universal".

Reproduction 356 fuel tank. $400-500.
It does look good in that spot.

[SirAndy]

Reproduction 356 fuel tank. $400-500.
It does look good in that spot.

Same problem as the rear though. That whole front trunk was desinged to crumble in a frontal impact. In fact, the spare tire was part of that design.

If you have ever seen pictures of a 914 that was in a frontal collision, you will agree that this is a terrible spot for a fuel tank, at least on a street driven car.
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[mlindner]

Yes it is a 356 tank, it was going to be a fuel cell for racing but I'm getting to old. If I stay with this I could make it so it would hold a fuel cell blatter. Also, I will install a space-saver spare for additional safety.

[930cabman]

Reproduction 356 fuel tank. $400-500.
It does look good in that spot.

Same problem as the rear though. That whole front trunk was desinged to crumble in a frontal impact. In fact, the spare tire was part of that design.

If you have ever seen pictures of a 914 that was in a frontal collision, you will agree that this is a terrible spot for a fuel tank, at least on a street driven car.
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[jrmdir]

open up the hood and put a aluminum cylinder tank in the original spot and show case your baha idea plus ,fill up fast! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smoke.gif)

When I read this I remembered seeing just that setup recently. Found it in an eBay auction that's open right now: https://www.ebay.com/itm/195048466156?hash=...xYAAOSwuQlifUj~

It's a carb car which makes it a bit easier but it doesn't look all that bad -- if you're into fuel tank mods!

Ron

[mlindner]

SirAndy I do understand where you are coming from, but just an observation that all earlier 911's up to I think 993s have the fuel tank that fare forward. I also like on mine that now I have two fire walls from the tank to the passenger compartment verses just one. Best, Mark

[Mendivil26]

Thanks to everyone for your great advise.
I found an aluminum Sand Rail Gas tank on offerup for $30 that cleaned up nicely with a little elbow grease.
I decided to install it in the frunk like @mlindner and all the other people with fuel cells while I figure out the cage fabrication and suspension reinforcements. I'll need the original gas tank location to be clear so I can route the cage through the existing holes. Once that is done I'll try to bring it back to the original location if it fits; if not it'll remain there.
I'll also reinforce the frunk area so it becomes a bit stiffer and not much of a crumple zone.

[Front yard mechanic]

open up the hood and put a aluminum cylinder tank in the original spot and show case your baha idea plus ,fill up fast! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smoke.gif)

When I read this I remembered seeing just that setup recently. Found it in an eBay auction that's open right now: https://www.ebay.com/itm/195048466156?hash=...xYAAOSwuQlifUj~

It's a carb car which makes it a bit easier but it doesn't look all that bad -- if you're into fuel tank mods!

Ron

That is the look I was thinking of , just section out the hood so the tank sits proud. easy fill up

[914 Ranch]

I'm sorry I can't give you a link, but there is a picture of my race car in my build thread in the Paddock under AR-14. It's on page 2, and is a plastic off road tank that holds about 6 gallons. This tank comes in a 11 gallon tank also. Just a different idea.

[bkrantz]

Not to rain on any parades, but the frunk also serves as a crumple zone. I proved this when I collided on-track in my SCCA-PCA race car. The front end collapsed up against the front bulkhead. The stock tank in the stock location got a small dent but was otherwise intact. The impact was hard enough to put a kink in the floor pan, and break the mounting ears from the transaxle.

I would not put a gas tank, even a fuel cell, forward of the bulkhead.

[Mikey914]

Factory put the tank where they did for a reason. Unless you need the area the tank goes in for some other use, why not use the same location? Will be less modification required on your part.

[mlindner]

I get the crumple zones BUT all the early 911 had the fuel tank in the front.

[bkrantz]

I get the crumple zones BUT all the early 911 had the fuel tank in the front.

That might have been a trade-off in the quest for weight balance. Some of those early cars also had cast iron weights in the front bumpers.

[Dave_Darling]

If you'll look carefully, you might notice that a 911 is not a 914... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) The front structure is built quite differently, and more than likely is designed to actually have the tank in front like that.

--DD