Fuel cell cage

[428]

Got the roll cage installed, then I spent the better part of two days figuring out this fuel cell mount and cage. I've built drag cars with 5 gallon poly tanks but never a tank this big for a Road Race car.
A steel case 22 gallon fuel cell in a 68 Firebird with an X'd roll cage is a very tight fit.
I had to make the frame and cage in two pieces. The main frame is U shaped and welded, with the main tube welded between the rear frame rails at the spring perches, the front cross member bolts to the frame rails, it has the cage welded to it, the cage bolts to the the rear welded main tube. Kind of a clam shell system. But that's the "only" way I could come up with to be able to remove it.
I still have to secure the tank but at least the frame is somewhat figured out.
What a PITA.

I should have taken a pic of the garage midway through this ordeal. I think I had every metal working tool I own laying around.
What a mess.

 

[sam 8]

Lots of work, but if you wind up really needing those parts they can't be overengineered.
Are the torque boxes in the rear floorboards like convert. pieces to stiffen the unibody, or are they for suspension clearance?

 

[428]

I welded in 2 x 3 tube for subframe connectors, by cutting into the floor I kept them the same ht as the front frame rails. Since I'll be dropping this car about 2" I need all the clearance I can get.
The boxes under the main hoop and front downtube are required for a Race cage. You can't weld tube directly to the floor, you need at least a plate, tying into the rocker is recommended.
You can build it different, I just went as big as I could to tie the cage to rocker to floor to rear spring perches.

 

[KCHOTBOAT]

Post some more pictures of the car. I am building the kid a SCCA car out of a 91 CRX.

 

[428]

Not a lot to post as far as pics. I did finish the fuel cell cage and welded a lot of the parts I had tacked the other day.
Started some engine work. Ported the heads, ground the casting slag off the crank, started the short block build.
It takes a tremendous amount of time to build two cars at once by yourself so progress is slow.
Pics;
Fuel Cage
Race car
Street car

 

[KCHOTBOAT]

Both look great. My next project will be a 70's road race/autox car. I tend to have more fun building cars than racing them.

 

[Steve1968LS2]

I had to go with an 18 gallon Fuel Safe unit since my rear frame rails are moved in a bit.

 

[428]

We had such a nice day yesterday I pulled everything out and cleaned the garage, so I took some pics of the cars.

Our cat "Auto" was checking my welds and looking for mice.