NHRA fuel cell rule clarification. Under car cage/mount

[Johnny Mac]

Guys,

Do I have any guys in here that are maybe tech guys at the dragstrip?

I'm mounting my fuel cell under the trunk, completely external to the car.

Will access filler via a sealed trap door.

The NHRA rulebook in the general section states...

When permitted by class regulations,fuel tanks located outside body and /or frame must be enclosed in a steel tube frame constructed of minumum 1 1/4- inch o.d. X .o58 chromemoly or .118 mild steel tubing .All fuel tanks must be isolated from drivers compartment by a firewall ,completely sealed to prevent any fuel from entering the driver's compartment .All fuel tanks must have a pressure cap and be vented outside of body.A positive locking screw on fuel tank cap is mandatory on all open- bodied cars.Insulated fuel tanks prohibited.Whenused, fuel cells must have a metal box protecting the part of the fuel cell that is outside of the body lines or floor trunk, excluding hose connection area in rear.Non-metallic fuel cells or tanks must be grounded to frame.


Question 1: can this tubing be box? In the general section it does not specify

Question 2: I'm to interpret this that I have to fully box the cell in, besides the sump area? In addition to a "fuel cell cage"


Car will not dip below 10.00
Fuel cell is aluminum.

Thanks. Called Nhra. No answer. No returned voicemails.

 

[Biff]

I believe that you building a steel box of proper thickness to protect the aluminum cell would be acceptable, consider the safety ,of say you spit out the drive shaft that would need to protect the aluminum keep it puncture safe .

 

[Biff]

.024 thick steel is the rule , now that is if it is between the frame rails , the cage would only apply if it was outside the frame rails .

 

[RustyRatRod]

Guys,

Do I have any guys in here that are maybe tech guys at the dragstrip?

I'm mounting my fuel cell under the trunk, completely external to the car.

Will access filler via a sealed trap door.

The NHRA rulebook in the general section states...

When permitted by class regulations,fuel tanks located outside body and /or frame must be enclosed in a steel tube frame constructed of minumum 1 1/4- inch o.d. X .o58 chromemoly or .118 mild steel tubing .All fuel tanks must be isolated from drivers compartment by a firewall ,completely sealed to prevent any fuel from entering the driver's compartment .All fuel tanks must have a pressure cap and be vented outside of body.A positive locking screw on fuel tank cap is mandatory on all open- bodied cars.Insulated fuel tanks prohibited.Whenused, fuel cells must have a metal box protecting the part of the fuel cell that is outside of the body lines or floor trunk, excluding hose connection area in rear.Non-metallic fuel cells or tanks must be grounded to frame.


Question 1: can this tubing be box? In the general section it does not specify

Question 2: I'm to interpret this that I have to fully box the cell in, besides the sump area? In addition to a "fuel cell cage"


Car will not dip below 10.00
Fuel cell is aluminum.

Thanks. Called Nhra. No answer. No returned voicemails.

I think box tubing classifies as tubing, yes. It sounds like what they want is basically a fuel cell or gas tank cage. If it was me, I'd box that bastid in, too. Might add a little more weight, but I think you're gonna have the HP to push it along pretty good.

 

[Johnny Mac]

Thanks guys, the frame rail portion didn't really sink in as I was reading it. So boxed in, but doesn't need a full safety cage, as it will in fact be mounted between the rear frame rails.

Thanks again

 

[Demonracer]

If you can't get answers from NHRA, contact the division rep for IHRA in your area. I've found the IHRA reps to be much friendlier & much more helpful.

 

[Blucuda413]

Impt, is your system a fuel cell or a gas tank??? I have one of the round aluminum tanks mounted under my trunk floor and by several inspectors (not local track guys) has been determined to be a fuel tank not a cell. My tank does not have to be contained in a box of any kind. Make certain of the answer to avoid unnecessary work.

 

[Blucuda413]

BTW, outside the confines of the body is the external limits of the body shell and all floor is within those confines. Therefore going through the floor is not considered going outside the body confines

 

[Johnny Mac]

BTW, outside the confines of the body is the external limits of the body shell and all floor is within those confines. Therefore going through the floor is not considered going outside the body confines

Its an aluminum fuel cell. I am mounting it literally under the trunk, with a trap door to the filler, flush in the trunk floor.
All you would see from the top side is one of these.

I planned on mounting it somewhat like a truck guy would