quick questch

"ptak appreciates old racecars" (racecarptak) 05/26/2017 at 05:22 • Filed to: im 9 and what is this

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What are fuel cells used for in race cars?

Thanks in advance!

Bluecold > ptak appreciates old racecars 05/26/2017 at 05:23

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For fuel and trackday credibility.

Mad trackday credibility I might add.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > ptak appreciates old racecars 05/26/2017 at 05:32

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Selling fuel, obviously....duh.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > ptak appreciates old racecars 05/26/2017 at 05:33

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To store fuel, preferably in a safe way. IIRC they do this by filling them with a foam, which can absorb the fuel, making it less dangerous.

deekster_caddy > ptak appreciates old racecars 05/26/2017 at 06:20

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Better fuel delivery. A lot of stock gas tanks will start to starve with a lot of cornering when the fuel level gets low. Some cars have race only very high octane in the fuel cell with street gas in the tank. Some drag cars have such wide rear tires there is no room for a gas tank underneath the car... lots of reasons to have a fuel cell

McMike > ptak appreciates old racecars 05/26/2017 at 07:39

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They are required for safety. Probably has to do with fire, explosions, and possible death.

I’m sure there are easy-to-find answers online about it.

ptak appreciates old racecars > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 05/26/2017 at 07:46

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ptak appreciates old racecars > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 05/26/2017 at 07:47

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Oh cool. Like acetylene cylinders!

ptak appreciates old racecars > deekster_caddy 05/26/2017 at 07:48

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Interesting. Thanks for the info!

I like the double tank idea...

ptak appreciates old racecars > McMike 05/26/2017 at 07:50

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Gotcha. Was gonna look it up properly but I like talking to folks on Oppo, plus I could only find stuff on hydrogen cars, haha

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > ptak appreciates old racecars 05/26/2017 at 07:51

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From a safety standpoint, they are required by regulation once you get much past improved touring levels of prep in a road race car. Also, the reduced fuel starvation becomes increasingly important, and the ability to choose to a degree where you want to put that weight in the car has weight and balance advantages.

As an example, my old ITA integra still runs on the stock fuel tank (fuel cells are permitted, but not required in IT). I have to run above just under half a tank to keep it from starving (particularly in sweeping, high speed right hand corners), which means starting a race with at least 2/3 of a tank of fuel. If my budget were to allow for a fuel cell in the car someday, I could start a race with maybe only 5 or 6 gallons of fuel in the car instead of around 11 or 12. I could also move that weight a bit further rearward to more to the right in the car, which would have some handling benefits beyond the weight reduction through better corner weighting.

ptak appreciates old racecars > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 05/26/2017 at 08:22

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That is some really precise stuff you’re dealing with if you have to worry about the weight of a few extra gallons of fuel. Are you the person with the first-gen red Integra? 

Thanks for the info!

Cash Rewards > ptak appreciates old racecars 05/26/2017 at 08:35

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I think that foam thing is correct, and prevents massive fuel spills in wrecks?

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > ptak appreciates old racecars 05/26/2017 at 09:09

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Yes, that’s me. At 6.5lbs/gallon, they add up to meaningful weight quickly. The ideal is roll up on the scales after a race as close to your minimum weight as possible. 30 or 40lbs could be worth a few tenths per lap, and sometimes that matters.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > ptak appreciates old racecars 05/26/2017 at 11:07

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They provide a place to put the fuel which is less likely to leak in an accident. Stock plastic tanks don’t hold up well in an accident.

tromoly > Cash Rewards 05/26/2017 at 11:39

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Foam only helps against sloshing, that’s about it.

ptak appreciates old racecars > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 05/27/2017 at 01:55

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Euro here, I forgot a gallon was 6.5 pounds, hahaha
Yes, that would make a difference...