Quote:
Originally Posted by ccracin
Let me speak quickly about the 1x1 steel tube type cages built for fuel cells. Similar to the pics above. I don't like those. In almost all cases I saw a high quality cell fail, it was because one of those tubes punctured the tank in a hard rear impact. If you hit a sheet metal can it will buckle and bend but rarely creates spears to puncture the cell. I am a fan of flat stock to build a cradle to hang the cell. It will bend with the sheet metal and rarely rips.
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I was looking at the cage construction today and thinking exactly what you confirm. If the vertical tubes shear at the weld they're basically spears. Using heavy angle iron for the lower might be an improvement, but that location justifies the ballistic cells
As far as location, anything behind the rear axle is vulnerable. With a Gen 1 Camaro I'd be tempted to install the cell where the rear seat base resides keeping the CG low and weight close to the rear axle then build a suitable firewall to protect occupants(2). I haven't seen it done, is my reasoning flawed?
