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Topic: EFI Gas Tank

in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems

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EFI Gas Tank (1/21)
12/4/06 2:47pm

71redvette
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Ridgefield, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1971 Red T-Top, Hooker side pipes, Mass-Flo EFI, Keisler 5 speed, ZZ4 with Fastburn heads and GM Hot Cam.

Joined: 9/16/2006
Posts: 9

Hi all,

I am in the process of putting an EFI system on my 71. I was doing some research on EFI and discovered that it is best to have a baffled gas tank for an EFI car. The reason is that it keeps fuel feeding the pump when the tank is low and fuel is sloshing around in corners, stopping & acceleration. From what I have read, an EFI engine has to have fuel all the time to the pump or it will stall immediately (starving the fuel pump regularly will burn it up too).

My first question -- The only factory EFI C3 was the 82, correct?

Second set of questions -- If so, I assume it is the only one with a baffled gas tank, correct? How hard are these to come by? I also assume they have an in-tank fuel pump -- any idea of the PSI output of these pumps?

Last question Clap

-- Would an 82 tank fit in my 71? Will the filler neck work?

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EFI Gas Tank (2/21)
12/4/06 3:48pm

Gunslinger
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Frederick, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior

Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398

The only of your questions I can answer are that yes, '82 is the only model year C3's came with factory fuel injection. '81's came with a computer controlled carburetor, but the Crossfire EFI was '82 only for the C3's.

Regarding the gas tank...it is very different from '71. The filler is located different and is much smaller as it has the restricter for unleaded only gasoline. The tank is also much larger...24+ gallons as opposed to about a 19 gallon tank for the '71. It's actually a fuel cell as it's lined with a rubber bladder. This was started in '78 with the new rear end styling...larger window and space saver spare. That allowed room for the tank redesign.

EFI Gas Tank (3/21)
12/4/06 5:17pm

OK, so it sounds like it isn't a good option even if it has the baffles inside.

I'll look into getting a "remote fuel reservoir" instead to keep it from starving on fuel.

EFI Gas Tank (4/21)
12/7/06 9:25am

Sarge81

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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.

Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379

FYI,

'82 vette gas tanks do not have a baffle or sump in them. So you are back to square one anyways. Been there, done that.

'82 vette fuel pumps operated between 9-13 psi. You would have to replace the the pump with a later high pressure fuel pump from the Tuned port era engines.

Good luck

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GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

3.54 Dana 44

'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
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EFI Gas Tank (5/21)
12/11/06 9:42am

corvette440hp

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Joined: 7/2/2006
Posts: 8205

I'm in the process of installing an Edelbrock 440 HP, injected engine. I did research to find a baffled, fuel pump inside, tank. The tank is made from 304 stainless. It holds 24 gallons of fuel. You cannot use your spare tire carrier with it. It will work with your existing fuel cap. Sooo, long story-short...Ricks Hot Rod Shop. Phone 915-760-4388 or 915-760-4389(fax). On the web www.rickshotrodshop.com. Now for the bad news $1,075.00 delivered to you. They are fabricated in El Paso, Texas. I'm still awaiting for mine to be delivered. I hope this might help you! corvette440hp2006-12-11 22:29:31

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corvette440hp

EFI Gas Tank (6/21)
12/11/06 10:56am

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20201

Sarge?!?

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EFI Gas Tank (7/21)
12/11/06 7:27pm

Sarge81

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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.

Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379

[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]Sarge?!?[/QUOTE]

Yes Joel. ?

______________

GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

3.54 Dana 44

'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975

Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.

Lifetime Member #26

EFI Gas Tank (8/21)
12/15/06 7:49am

Thanks for the info. Hmmm...that is a lot of money for a tank. I think I am going to look into a "remote reservoir" I read about in my Jags That Run book on fuel injection. Kind of operates on the same principle as a carburetor bowl. If it works it will be cheaper and I can use the spare tire carrier still.

EFI Gas Tank (9/21)
12/17/06 10:26am

corvette440hp

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Posts: 8205

I hope it all works out for you............GOOD LUCK!

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EFI Gas Tank (10/21)
12/17/06 11:17pm

Gale Banks 80

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Vette(s):
1980 with a Banks Twin Turbo 1969 Convert Big Block 1996 Grand Sport Convert

Joined: 9/8/2005
Posts: 241

hecko, I have Accell Gen 7 FI on my 80'. I'm using the 82 Fuel Pump in my Tank its a Direct Bolt in for a 78-81 Tank. The Fuel Pump will put out 45 -50 PSI and Run an Engine up to about 400 HP. The Pumps is Pretty Quiet just enough so You can Here it when its starts. This Pump probably would not be that Hard to addapt to Your Tank if You get the whole assembly then it comes with the Fuel Gauge Sensor wich may or may Not run Yours? As I have more than 400HP I have an additional Pump an Aromotive one that Make enough Noise to Drive You crazy and I'm in the process of remounting it or replacing it. Richard....

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EFI Gas Tank (11/21)
12/18/06 6:17am

annicorvette

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BILOXI, MS - USA

Vette(s):
1969 rag top

Joined: 12/8/2001
Posts: 547

check out this site.

http://www.retrotekspeed.com/

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Annicorvette
Lifetime member # 35

EFI Gas Tank (12/21)
12/18/06 7:30am

Hey Richard,

Have you run into any problems at below 1/4 tank? What I have read is that in tanks without baffles you run the risk of killing the motor going around a corner due to fuel starvation with an EFI system. That is my main concern right now, how to address the baffle situation.

EFI Gas Tank (13/21)
12/18/06 11:50pm

Gale Banks 80

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1980 with a Banks Twin Turbo 1969 Convert Big Block 1996 Grand Sport Convert

Joined: 9/8/2005
Posts: 241

The Fuel Pump Pickup on a 82 Pump isn't much Diffrent than the Stock 80' Pickup. Only diffrence is that there is a Pump attached. I havn't Pushed the Car Yet in a Corner as I'm still getting it sorted. I don't think any one with an 82 has had a Starvation problem. Another Idea I saw on TV was to order a Reproduction Fuel tank direct from the Manufacture and get the Top and Bottom Seperate. Then you Can Mount Your Pump and Baffles and Join the Halfs Your self. Or send it back and have them do it. The Weirdest Thing about the Pump is that the Power Wire is Un Insulated inside Your Fuel Tank. You would think that the First Time You turn the Key on would be Your Last.

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EFI Gas Tank (14/21)
12/19/06 11:04am

dwright
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Victor, NY - USA

Vette(s):
2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe

Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6841

Easy solution. Keep the tank more than 1/3 full.

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EFI Gas Tank (15/21)
12/19/06 3:13pm

DaveM

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Flanders, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.

Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2553

[QUOTE=Gale Banks 80] The Weirdest Thing about the Pump is that the Power Wire is Un Insulated inside Your Fuel Tank. You would think that the First Time You turn the Key on would be Your Last.[/QUOTE]

Gasoline in liquid state is not flamable, it's the fumes that are. An empty gas can is far more dangerous than a full one. The empty one is full of fumes and is a bomb waiting for a spark.

The pump and wires are in the liquid gas and are not a problem.

Dave

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EFI Gas Tank (16/21)
12/19/06 3:17pm

I imagine the 82 tanks have baffles in the in addition to the pump.

I am going to look into getting a tanks in "halves" like you noted. I'm sure I could get someone to weld some baffles in there.

EFI Gas Tank (17/21)
12/19/06 6:09pm

Sarge81

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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.

Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379

[QUOTE=71redvette]I imagine the 82 tanks have baffles in the in addition to the pump. [/QUOTE]

Again,

'82 tanks do not have a baffle or sump in them.

I have an '82 tank and sending unit in the shop awaiting their use when I do convert my car over to TPI. I'm going to use my '81 tank instead, since it is actually in better condition than the '82 tank.

I was very disappointed when I looked in the tank and there was no sump or baffle. I have also talked with a couple knowledgeable individuals over on corvetteforum . com about '82 vette tanks/sending units etc. They also confirmed that there are no baffles/sump in the factory tank.

'78-'82's are all the same tank. The only big difference is the fuel pump is hanging on the end of the sending unit for the '82's

Also in conversation, was mention of fuel starvation under hard cornering with the '82's. But it was said that if you keep the tank a 1/4 or more full you will not have this problem. Under normal driving you shouldn't have any problems even at 1/8 of a tank.

I hope this helps clear up some of questions and promotes good info.

Good luck,

Darryl

Darryl812006-12-19 18:12:48

______________

GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

3.54 Dana 44

'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975

Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.

Lifetime Member #26

EFI Gas Tank (18/21)
12/19/06 7:21pm

Oops, sorry. I should have re-read the thread. I had forgotten you said already that 82 Vettes didn't have baffles.

I think I'll go without an external reservoir initially and see how it goes. If it becomes and issue (fuel starvation) I guess I'll have to build an external reservoir.

EFI Gas Tank (19/21)
12/22/06 3:00pm

mikes71
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Albuquerque, NM - USA

Vette(s):
1971 454 BB , matching numbers, 4spd,a/c,pb,ps, Blue

Joined: 3/11/2006
Posts: 47

Hi, I would be interested in the components you have selected and the end results . Please keep me posted Smile

Mike. Ps I live in Albuquerque which is not far from El Paso . If you decide to pick up the tank : stop by.

EFI Gas Tank (20/21)
12/22/06 10:00pm

Gale Banks 80

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Vette(s):
1980 with a Banks Twin Turbo 1969 Convert Big Block 1996 Grand Sport Convert

Joined: 9/8/2005
Posts: 241

Keep in mind that the Fuel Lines and the Wireing run out the Top of the Tank. So if You go with the assumpsion that a Bare Wire can't cause an Exsplosion because it sumerged in Fuel that is True as long as the Fuel is filled all the way into the Fill Cap. As soon as You Use any Fuel in the Tank then You will have a Bare Wire in a Fuel Vapor and not a Liquild. When I installed mine I changed the 3/8" Stock Line to a 1/2" cause I new I had the Motor to Use it. Richard....

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EFI Gas Tank (21/21)
1/4/07 5:20pm

corvette440hp

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Joined: 7/2/2006
Posts: 8205

EFI Stainless tank finally arrived........it WAS WORTH THE WAIT. It is so beautiful, that I told Ricks Hot Rod Shop, that I was going to cut away the fiberglass, to allow everyone to see it. I also mentioned that I was just kidding. The top of the tank has female threads to allow the supply and return lines 3/8" AN fittings. They are on the right top-side. The sending unit assy. is on the left top-side. There is a stainless 1/4" pipe plug next to the sending unit. The fuel pump is mounted in a baffled section. The whole assy. can be removed, by unscrewing eight allen head stainless screws, that are tapped into the heavy plate stainless flange. The welds are flawless. The finish is spectacular. The grade of stainless is 304(high nickel, non magnetic). The guage of stainless is 16 gauge. You would be hard pressed to be able to even put a dent in the tank metal. The shipping was done so well that it could have been dropped many times , without any problems. The tank weights a wopping 45 lbs. I love this tank........it is the total answer to corrision control, fuel capacity, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, FUEL INJECTION SUPPORT......need I say more??? corvette440hp2007-01-05 11:17:03

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