Kicking around the winter project of converting my carb'd LS style engine to fuel injection.
When I go to EFI I plan on ditching the noisey (and often cutting out) electric pump for an in tank fuel pump, and go with the corvette filter regulator combo most LS guys are going with. This should only require me to run one feed line to the fuel rails and take care of pumping, filtering, and regulating my >$4/ gallon premium...
I have had a hard time finding a cost effective and simple fuel tank solution. Just to mention off the bat, the $1K Rick's tank is out of the budget.
What are the EFI guys on the forum running??
I figure my options are:
1) Spectre tank ~$400. I have heard fuel starvation under 1/3 to 1/4 tank and a bad pump.
2) Tanks inc. fuel pump. ~$225 This seems like a lot work to install and I need to add my own fuel level sender. Plus I have heard the Chevelle tank is almost too shallow and this can hit the trunk pan.
3) B-Body tank swap ~$200 This seems to work, but requires trunk pan modification. Since I just put a new pan in last year I am very hesitant to cut it up.
4) G-Body tank swap ~$300 This is what I am most interested in trying. I have heard guys are using Buick GN (turbo buick) era tanks, modifying the filler neck, and running them. If the tank and pump can support those turbo cars it should be able to support mine. Still not enough info online to know if this actually works.
Looking for candid info on what the other LS, LT, Vortec swappers have done...
bowtie said
Aug 14, 2011
I'm running a Spectre tank with a Spectre factory for 72 sending unit. I had a sump wedge welded onto the tank. I have a Walbro 255 inline external pump mounted behind the tail panel with a Trick Flow filter leading into the pump. I have the Edelbrock/Russell (made by Parker) blue fuel line and push-lok type fittings. I have an AC Delco filter mounted on the feed line midway @ the tranny crossmember area. My line goes right into the rail end. The return side is the same line then running back next to the feed line and returned into a bung welded into the filler neck.
I have a couple pics when it was being mocked up if you want to see the pump and return. The fuel lines were run like the factory up and over the rail but under the body. I used insulated clamps and drill tip screws to hold it all in place along the frame.
John D said
Aug 15, 2011
I have a '96 B-body (Roadie/Impala/Fleetwood) rear-fill tank in my spares stash. You're welcome to come by and measure, look, or borrow it to contemplate.
I went with the Ricks tank upgraded with a Walbro 255 pump in tank. I went through the same thing as you, I was not going to spend that kind of money on a gas tank, but everything I read about the spectra LS1 tank scared me. After all the time, effort and money I've stuck into the car I didn't want to have to worry about starvation issues every time I went around a corner. Some say spectra has now baffled their tanks better? I heard external pumps were noisy and not as reliable as in-tank pumps, the b-body tank hangs really low, and some have had leaking issues with his Tanks Inc. unit.
As for the Ricks tank, the fit is excellent, they cut off the front corners for the exhaust to clear, and it tucks right up between the frame rails. It is way over priced, but hopefully I won't have any issues with it.
seagrams72 said
Aug 15, 2011
Thanks for the info, this gives me something to go off of.
I have heard they improved the spectre as well, but don't know if the improvements they made matter and how I could get a revised tank when they probably still have thousands of the originals still in stock.
If that doesnt pan out I may look into the g body tank, basically any injected g body like a GN or tbi Monte tank would wo rk and that are about $70 online from a few places.
SteveS said
Aug 15, 2011
Do they swap out the pump in the G-body tanks with one that will put out 58psi?
seagrams72 said
Aug 15, 2011
I was going to swap it too a walbro anyways, just need a good donor tank.
Chris R said
Aug 15, 2011
Coincidence. There is a post on Team Chevelle running right now on exactly this subject.
I have 2 of those caprice tanks, free to whoever wants them... just have to come pick them up.
Lost in the 60s said
Aug 15, 2011
I installed a Rick's tank with A/C pump in a Camaro last year with the Corvette filter regulator. Very simple install without the return line. Yes, the tank is expensive but it IS stainless, fits correctly and has a stock GM pump inside for easy replacement anywhere in the country. You can't hear the pump in the car and it stays cool from the fuel, avoiding the cutting out of an overheated external pump. He will install the correct 90 ohm sender too.
seagrams72 said
Aug 15, 2011
I still cannot bring myself to spend $1000 plus on a tank.
I have read both the TC posts and LS1 tech posts, but wanted to get a feel for what everyone on this site has done.
The b body tank works, but I just don't want to cut the trunk up. I may look and see what is involved beofre I fully throw it off the table.
It talks about using a Buick Grand National tank that are supposedly fairly inexpensive and bolt right in other than adjusting for the neck.
seagrams72 said
Aug 16, 2011
I have been reading that, saved in my favorites already, wanting to see more results before I jump on the band wagon. Definetly a cheap option without going to the larger b-body tank or shelling out the $$ for a Rick's.
I'm also staying tuned into the updates on the Spectre tanks.
A tank with an in tank pump would make this swap easy. The tank/ pump feeds (and gets returned from) the Corvette style filter regulator ~$34 on Rock Auto and that feeds into a 3/8" Nylon line that goes to my fuel rails.
Driving the last two years with an external pump makes me want to do this swap just to get the in tank (quieter) pump.
I have two full LS Style truck intakes, throttle bodies, a complete harness, PCM, factory engine covers, and a drive by wire pedal. Not to mention, the LS engine and a tranny is already in the car.
Kicking around the winter project of converting my carb'd LS style engine to fuel injection.
When I go to EFI I plan on ditching the noisey (and often cutting out) electric pump for an in tank fuel pump, and go with the corvette filter regulator combo most LS guys are going with. This should only require me to run one feed line to the fuel rails and take care of pumping, filtering, and regulating my >$4/ gallon premium...
I have had a hard time finding a cost effective and simple fuel tank solution. Just to mention off the bat, the $1K Rick's tank is out of the budget.
What are the EFI guys on the forum running??
I figure my options are:
1) Spectre tank ~$400. I have heard fuel starvation under 1/3 to 1/4 tank and a bad pump.
2) Tanks inc. fuel pump. ~$225 This seems like a lot work to install and I need to add my own fuel level sender. Plus I have heard the Chevelle tank is almost too shallow and this can hit the trunk pan.
3) B-Body tank swap ~$200 This seems to work, but requires trunk pan modification. Since I just put a new pan in last year I am very hesitant to cut it up.
4) G-Body tank swap ~$300 This is what I am most interested in trying. I have heard guys are using Buick GN (turbo buick) era tanks, modifying the filler neck, and running them. If the tank and pump can support those turbo cars it should be able to support mine. Still not enough info online to know if this actually works.
Looking for candid info on what the other LS, LT, Vortec swappers have done...
I have a couple pics when it was being mocked up if you want to see the pump and return. The fuel lines were run like the factory up and over the rail but under the body. I used insulated clamps and drill tip screws to hold it all in place along the frame.
I have a '96 B-body (Roadie/Impala/Fleetwood) rear-fill tank in my spares stash. You're welcome to come by and measure, look, or borrow it to contemplate.
I'm running the same year, but wagon tank (side fill). Look here towards the bottom of the page for details
As for the Ricks tank, the fit is excellent, they cut off the front corners for the exhaust to clear, and it tucks right up between the frame rails. It is way over priced, but hopefully I won't have any issues with it.
I have heard they improved the spectre as well, but don't know if the improvements they made matter and how I could get a revised tank when they probably still have thousands of the originals still in stock.
If that doesnt pan out I may look into the g body tank, basically any injected g body like a GN or tbi Monte tank would wo rk and that are about $70 online from a few places.
Coincidence. There is a post on Team Chevelle running right now on exactly this subject.
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=360259&page=3
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/485183-chevelle-fuel-tank.html
I have read both the TC posts and LS1 tech posts, but wanted to get a feel for what everyone on this site has done.
The b body tank works, but I just don't want to cut the trunk up. I may look and see what is involved beofre I fully throw it off the table.
Andy, did you see this thread on TC?
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=334222
It talks about using a Buick Grand National tank that are supposedly fairly inexpensive and bolt right in other than adjusting for the neck.
I'm also staying tuned into the updates on the Spectre tanks.
A tank with an in tank pump would make this swap easy. The tank/ pump feeds (and gets returned from) the Corvette style filter regulator ~$34 on Rock Auto and that feeds into a 3/8" Nylon line that goes to my fuel rails.
Driving the last two years with an external pump makes me want to do this swap just to get the in tank (quieter) pump.
I have two full LS Style truck intakes, throttle bodies, a complete harness, PCM, factory engine covers, and a drive by wire pedal. Not to mention, the LS engine and a tranny is already in the car.