Trunk mounted fuel cell install?

wstar · 08-21-2014, 02:55 PM

Even if you mount low, you don't want to intentionally put weight at the far rear end of the car. Yes, your weight distribution number for F/R would get fixed, but keep in mind that's just an approximate metric; the real goal is a well-balanced car, and a well-balanced car keeps as much weight as possible close to the CG. Hanging weight out at the end is making the car into a pendulum; it will tend to over-react.

What clint says is the truth: the stock location is pretty ideal all things considered. It's hard to place a fuel cell's weight better than that, especially given it saddles over the driveline hump to get even lower. (And really, I can't imagine a safe and correct switch to a fuel cell that would cost less than phunk's kit at the end of the day anyways by the time you factor in all the parts involved, especially if you want to fill from outside the car).

Also, while good fuel cells are designed to minimize fire risk when impacted, it's still not a great idea to stick them out on the edge of the car where they're most likely to be impacted in the first place. If I had a fuel cell, I'd at least want it to be inside the volume of the cage.

synolimit · 08-21-2014, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

Even if you mount low, you don't want to intentionally put weight at the far rear end of the car. Yes, your weight distribution number for F/R would get fixed, but keep in mind that's just an approximate metric; the real goal is a well-balanced car, and a well-balanced car keeps as much weight as possible close to the CG. Hanging weight out at the end is making the car into a pendulum; it will tend to over-react.

What clint says is the truth: the stock location is pretty ideal all things considered. It's hard to place a fuel cell's weight better than that, especially given it saddles over the driveline hump to get even lower. (And really, I can't imagine a safe and correct switch to a fuel cell that would cost less than phunk's kit at the end of the day anyways by the time you factor in all the parts involved, especially if you want to fill from outside the car).

Also, while good fuel cells are designed to minimize fire risk when impacted, it's still not a great idea to stick them out on the edge of the car where they're most likely to be impacted in the first place. If I had a fuel cell, I'd at least want it to be inside the volume of the cage.

Is that not what our big heavy V6 is doing at front though? Depending on the cells width I can be mounted as far forward as possible with it leaning up against that rear reenforcement section. That's pretty much the rear axles. I would have a rear roll cage around it. I have to ask Doran racing I think because they fill up with the hatch open right at the back. I'd take that car in a second. At this point I'm more concerned about wiring although I take everyone thoughts into consideration.

Minute :19.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra4C7AI1qIU

wstar · 08-21-2014, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synolimit

Is that not what our big heavy V6 is doing at front though?

Yes. If you can come up with a cheap mod for fitting the engine at the CG of this car, go for it

There are tons of considerations in designing a whole racecar, and I'm sure Doran's car is badass, but that still doesn't mean it's a good idea for you to stick a fuel cell all the way at the back of your car.

Rusty · 08-21-2014, 08:56 PM

Another thing too. With the fuel cell at the rear. As the fuel level goes down. It will change the balance of the car.

synolimit · 08-22-2014, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

Another thing too. With the fuel cell at the rear. As the fuel level goes down. It will change the balance of the car.

so youre saying skip the 22 gallon and go for a 10?

synolimit · 08-22-2014, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

Yes. If you can come up with a cheap mod for fitting the engine at the CG of this car, go for it

There are tons of considerations in designing a whole racecar, and I'm sure Doran's car is badass, but that still doesn't mean it's a good idea for you to stick a fuel cell all the way at the back of your car.

ill stop in at doran soon, camera in hand

08-21-2014, 02:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3596	Even if you mount low, you don't want to intentionally put weight at the far rear end of the car. Yes, your weight distribution number for F/R would get fixed, but keep in mind that's just an approximate metric; the real goal is a well-balanced car, and a well-balanced car keeps as much weight as possible close to the CG. Hanging weight out at the end is making the car into a pendulum; it will tend to over-react. What clint says is the truth: the stock location is pretty ideal all things considered. It's hard to place a fuel cell's weight better than that, especially given it saddles over the driveline hump to get even lower. (And really, I can't imagine a safe and correct switch to a fuel cell that would cost less than phunk's kit at the end of the day anyways by the time you factor in all the parts involved, especially if you want to fill from outside the car). Also, while good fuel cells are designed to minimize fire risk when impacted, it's still not a great idea to stick them out on the edge of the car where they're most likely to be impacted in the first place. If I had a fuel cell, I'd at least want it to be inside the volume of the cage. FL 4Motion, phunk, sig11 and 1 others like this. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details Last edited by wstar; 08-21-2014 at 02:58 PM.

08-21-2014, 08:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rusty A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 70 Posts: 35,578 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684440	Another thing too. With the fuel cell at the rear. As the fuel level goes down. It will change the balance of the car. phunk likes this. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

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