Chevelle LS conversion fuel system question
 

I'm dropping a LS engine into a 1965 Chevelle, that I'm building into a track car. I've got the engine about where I want it and just received the reworked harness and computer the other day. Now I'm trying to figure out the easiest fuel system, without breaking the bank. I know a lot of people are running Rick's tanks, but that's way out of my budget. There's several options that I've researched:
#1 - Get a stock tank and install a Phantom fuel pump $445 + tank
#2 - There's a Tanksinc tank on Ebay, complete with pump and sender $509
#3 - Some people are running a mid 90's Caprice, Road Master or Caddy Plastic tank and modifying the trunk floor to clear the fittings (cheapest, but will have to find in salvage yard and don't know if it's baffled or if track rules will allow it)
I'm planning on running hard lines and a Corvette filter.
I need your feed back or suggestions...

Thanks,

Hey Chris! Welcome to :lateral:

I have an older version Ricks tank with a 5th gen pump. So far so good as long as I have a 1/4 tank or more (only on long roadcourse sweepers is an issue). That is with no baffling around the pump. So I can only offer what I've read/heard on the others
.
-I have heard good things about the Phantom stuff. Lynda Jacobs runs one that Randy Johnson installed in here '66 vert. She definitely drives here car hard. I know of a few others too with good results.

-the Tank's Inc stuff, I've heard mixed results. Seems like a lot of hot rodders use them, not sure how many are being tracked/autox'd.

-I've never talked to someone using the Caprice tank, only saw pics of it...I don't care how it looks like a big ole saggy diaper hanging under the car. I think to get it to fit, you have to cut a little bit of clearance.

Good call with the Corvette FR, lots of guys run that with great success.

Welcome!

What kind of HP are you planning? If you are stock LS1 or slightly above...why not buy a new tank, and use the vette works kit with a 4th gen fuel bucket. I've put ~5000 miles since I did the swap with no issues....even down to 1/8 tank. No hesitation, stalling, and it is quiet.

Do a google search on vette works...I bought a used fbody (LS) fuel bucket off eBay. I recessed my bucket to clear my trunk. Pm me for other details if you have any questions.

Thanks, Aaron!
I didn't like the looks of the plastic Caprice tank either. I seen the Tanks Inc tank was baffled and recessed for the pump, but didn't know how well the pump would hold up. I know of several builds using the Phantom pump in the stock tank, but I'm not in the autox crowd (yet) to hear how well it performs.

Thanks again and I'll keep in touch...

I've got the Tanks Inc setup with a Walbro 255 pump that I bought as a kit through Tanks Inc. The pump is noisy, and their newer tanks are baffled, and the baffling is well designed. I haven't driven mine yet, only ran it in the shop, so I can't give drivability results just yet. The tank fits well, looks like a stock tank, which I like. I hate the look of a big tank hanging below the car, And I don't care if it's plastic, or stainless, it just looks bad in my opinion.

I know everyone is on a budget and likes to save money but, this is one area where I think people make a mistake and try and save money and then put up with sub par performance because of it. My only experience is with the DSE Rock Valley and standard pump in my wife's car which suffers from starvation below 1/4 tank and my car which has the DSE tank and the Vaporworx upgrade, imho this is the best system on the market, I've run my car completely out of fuel without any warning stumble before it quit. I like the fact that it uses an OEM pump that I can buy at any GM dealer if I need a replacement and the fact OEM's do more stringent durability tests on their pumps than any aftermarket pump mfr. can afford to do. Do you're homework on this since it's far more expensive to buy the "CHEAPER" system and rip out and install a proper system later.

x 100

If I were gonna race my car, I would have gone Vaporworks all day long, but mine is just a cruiser that will dodge cones a few times a year. I won't buy something that I don't need, just because it's cool and really expensive.
No doubt hands down the Vaporworks stuff is the top of the line, and is perfect for the guy racing his ride in low fuel conditions.

X2

It comes down to budget and intended use

If considering a Tanks Inc unit, give Matt or Kim a call at Matts Classic Bowties, I inquired about the Tanks, and they started to carry it, to offer another option to people building cars

you can always upgrade to the larger Walbro 400 pump too when ordering the kit (compared to the 255 pump, approx $60 difference)

Jeff

I had a standard Ricks tank with a Walbro 255.

It embarrassed me a few times waiting for lights on uphill slopes:hairpullout: