Hey guys. Just got this tank running and as expected, it starves fuel at 1/4 tank on even the slightest turn, car stalls.

Anyone have a fix yet? I was thinking maybe an inline tank under the hood using a coolant over flow aluminum tank I have laying around?

Won't work. The issue is that when the pickup is uncovered, the fuel pressure drops off because the fuel pump isn't pumping anything. Even with an intermediate tank, the pressure will still fall off when the pickup is uncovered.

You'd need not only an auxiliary tank, but also an auxiliary pump, and then your fuel plumbing, especially return lines, gets pretty interesting. The in tank pump would be feeding the auxiliary tank, and the auxiliary tank and pump would actually be feeding the engine. I think you'd have to have a return from the auxiliary tank to the main tank just to avoid damaging the in tank pump.

All in all, probably not the way to go.

 

The new Vapor Worx tank solves all the problems. Check them out at our store on the home page

www.ProTouringSuperStore.com

 

I think it needs some baffling but I am not inclined to tear into it....today any way.

 

If Rock Auto has a good connection with SPI they should be able to warranty the tank. They built a new proto type for me (its in my car right now) it works great,went drag racing with it on 1/4 and it does not starve for fuel. Tank should have a 1 year warranty. Wes

 

Good to know Wes. Thanks.

I actually called SPI before I bought it and they assured me it had no issues with fuel starvation.

 

I know you and others have heard that! I brought the problem up to them by taking our rep for a drive....they changed there mind about no problem. But they do have a new tank/baffle design ...let me know if i can help. LOVIN the LS power? Wes

 

Rockauto currently has some of these tanks for sale. Anyone know if these are the new or old design with respect to baffle design?

WES any issues feeding your engine? I went to SPI website and the tank has the following note: "INCLUDES SENDER ASSEMBLY WITH STOCK-CAPACITY FUEL PUMP 85-115 PSI / 50-60 GPH".

50-60 GPH converts to 190 to 225 liters per hour. Seems like enough.

 

The pump and baffle seem to work very well...like i said before the car went 12.50 at 113.9 at less than 1/4 on purpose and it did not bog or quit. I took it Detroit and ran it right to E with same result no quiting or bog. The fuel gauge thing is a ohms deal and they just dont make the sender right for the gauge. let me know if i can help. Wes:hurray:

 

Thanks Wes for the info. I sent Emails to Rock Auto and SPI. Lets see what they do. Tank is only 9 mos old.
Wes do you have a part number on your prototype? Sounds like that is the ticket.

 

I dont know that it is a number change,as more of production change. I will call Quebec today ,and let u know. Wes

 

Thanks WES. I want to make sure that what is currently selling is the revised tank. I hope they can get this right. I'm not going to spend $1,200 on a gas tank.

 

+1, waiting to hear more from Wes on the tank fixes...:thumbsup:

 

Should hear today...want to know how to tell "old" from "New" . Let you know. Wes

 

what is the fix? i'd rather not have to buy another tank... can it be retrofitted? a "trade-in" credit for the old design? I've had mine about 6 months

 

I have been watching this thread and biting my tongue since the thread started. I am very curious to see what the fix is because our luck with these tanks is horrific to say the least. 4 tanks, 4 completely different issues ranging from failing fuel pumps only hours old, to one spiting at the seams recently, to cavitation issues beyond description.

I hope they work something out with you to trade yours in, it will be interesting to see how they handle this. And real interesting to see how the new tank works. I would love to have a solution that cost less then 4 digits.

 

Interesting on the tank splitting. I've had a standard SPI tank in my car for about 7 years and have had no problems. I wonder if this is specific to the design allowances they made for the in-tank pump?

I'd rather them fix the issues correctly and bump the price up another $100 if they have to. I'm sure most of us would gladly pay.

 

I just spoke with a Spectra Rep in Canada. She said that the tanks have been fixed by extending the "sending unit" (I think she meant pick up tube) so that there is no fuel starvation issue. She said that there are prototypes out there and that the public should be getting them by late November, the 22nd to be exact. All of the defective units have been "re-called" and are off the shelves at your local distributors. I forgot to ask about those of you who have already purchased a defective unit, sorry guys. But I was told that vendors here in California include Advanced Auto, Napa, Kragen, Pep Boys etc. Maybe they can help? I am really hoping that the new tanks work well because I'm not looking to spend $1,200 on a gas tank (even though they are VERY beautiful pieces and if I had the funds to toss at it I would) Anyway, hope this helps someone out there who is in the same boat as me, wondering what happened to the Spectra Tanks

 

+2. I currently have a "store credit" from Rock auto for the purchase price.

 

The rated pump output is unclear as well. 85-115psi? There are very few standard in-tank pumps that make that kind of pressure and have sufficient output to support decent horsepower. The high-pressure Walbro 255lph will only support 275hp at 100psi, and stalls at 115psi.

The 50-60gph rating is also unclear. At what pressure? Pump performance is significantly different at 42psi (LT1) vs 58psi (most LS). Without knowing the exact performance curve of the pump it's just a shot in the dark.

 

So the fix is pull the pump and extend the pick up tube? Doesnt sound like it would be too bad. I see a sticky tutorial coming...

 

Hi Guys.... Lets maybe set some guide lines up. I think the tank will be great for street use and light to medium track use. Her is what i found so far. The car has 2500 miles on it. So far to date... Drove it from Niagara Falls to Detroit to Dream Cruise. Filled it at home and drove it to the cruise one tank,all highway and bad bad road conditions. The tank holds 18 gasl us filled it up took 16.5. So based on that i think the starvation factor has bee solved .Anyone that has drove on the Detroit highways and off ramps understand what i am saying. Took car to track left it low and put "about" 5 gals in it,raced 12.50 at 113.9ish for 10runs with NO problems. I have no idea what horse power i make but it runs out with no fuel problems. Autocross no idea ...but i dont think it has the design to do that. But for a weekend type of car it is great.. Last note fuel gauge will never be right. Full is way past full and E is empty. At leaset the e part is right! I am still waiting to hear from SPI ..any questions ,fire away! Wes:hurray:

 

Wes it sounds like the prototype tank is working well for you. Your use is similar to what i will be doing with my car. I run a gm crate 350/330ho motor and will be installing the fast ez-efi setup. The car currently runs high 12's and sees about 1000 street miles per year.Is the tank vented and does the stock gas cap fit corrreclty? I have one of there stand ard tanks and the cap is really loose.

 

On the 67 tank the neck is the o.e. pipe. It uses the standard cap. No fit issues.

 

I have a standard SPI tank and the gas cap fits fine

 

Any updates? I've had my tank in a box for about 6 months or so from rockauto. I hope they'll do a swap out if there is a new design.

 

Im still following this and hoping the tank works out well. Id like to use this tank with fast ez-efi. I like the idea of stock appearing tank and internal fuel pump. my car only runs high 12's t low 13's but i dont want to be spending more money to cause myself more headaches. Let us know if its stil working out good. How did you hookup the fuel lines to the sending unit?