fuel tank position

[dooner02]

hi, the manual shows the fuel tank to be mounted as rearwards and low as possible.
i assume this is to allow a more usable boot space. Does this not strike anyone else as a bit dangerous in the case of a rear shunt? i was thinking about mounting one above the rear diff. has anybody already done this? does anybody have any thoughts?
cheers, Darren

[Bonzo]

No real reason as to why you can't fit the fuel tank above the diff cage.

Personaly my view is, in the event of a heavy rear shunt, the tank will probaly not prove to be much safer up there

To be perfectly honest, a kit car of any sorts is not the best thing to have a shunt in

Just adds to the thrill of driving

[dooner02]

you are probably right. for performance, low down is obviously better and leaves more access for handbrake and diff.
maybe i could invent an ejector seat instead.
cheers, darren

Might have dreamt this but Im sure there is a car by Sylva with it's tank in the middle of the car.......

[Spikehaus]

I have mounted my tank above the dif, and its fits perfectly allowing the swirl pot to pop out on the underside.

[AshG]

mark the tank on the riot is in the passenger footwell. from what i have seen if a tintop hits the rear of a 7 it wont matter where the tank is.

25-30kg of fuel mounted high up in a 7 can play havoc with the handling. i tried my tank above the diff as an experiment looking for ways to increase capacity, with it full up the car felt quite nervous on the back end through the fast b roads so i put it back in the correct spot

Cheers Ash, Thought I dreamt it...... Did your mate get his Riot built by the way?

[AshG]

nope 2 years on and its still sitting in his garage. although he has built a new garage in that time as well as an extension. i offered to build it for him but he wants to do it himself which makes sense after building a new garage to do it in. instead im now building an mev exocet and i must say it is the most simple thing i have ever had the pleasure to build. its not what i would call a typically pretty car but the thing sticks to the road like a crazy sticky thing and after selling off all the unwanted mx5 bits will owe me next to nothing. plus im using the mazda 1800 meaning it will go like a scalded cat

[axle]

Yes I go along with Ash here, the tank should be in the position as per book.
In case of any shunt you shall have less chance of getting soaked by the petrol.

Originally Posted by AshG

mark the tank on the riot is in the passenger footwell. from what i have seen if a tintop hits the rear of a 7 it wont matter where the tank is.

25-30kg of fuel mounted high up in a 7 can play havoc with the handling. i tried my tank above the diff as an experiment looking for ways to increase capacity, with it full up the car felt quite nervous on the back end through the fast b roads so i put it back in the correct spot

[dooner02]

Cheers lads, all food for thought. passenger foot well sounds interesting.