We all know the engine supplies power to the race car, but what supplies power to the engine? Fuel is where the engines power comes from and getting it to the engine is one of the most important systems in the race car. To help understand what is involved with installing a fuel system in your race car, we talked with representatives from Holley Carburetors, ATL Fuel Cells and Earls Performance and visited Hooters Cup driver Mario Gosselins shop for some guidance.
We started out in the rear of the car with the fuel cell. Gosselin ordered an ATL Super Cell All Pro (PN SU122E-FV) with a flapper valve assembly (PN TF 193A-184A). Prior to installation, Gosselin disassembled the fuel cell to check all the components, making sure all was as it should be.
I always check the fuel cells interior to rule out any possible damage during shipping and for human error when the fuel cell was assembled, Gosselin said.
Once the fuel cell was checked out, it was reassembled and lowered between the framerails. ATL manufactures this particular fuel cell with or without a mounting flange around the top, Gosselin ordered his fuel cell with the flange, which is designed with bolt holes to hold the lower section of the fuel cell and the top together. Gosselin also used these holes to bolt the fuel cell onto the framerails. Once the cell is secured in place, the filler and overflow hoses are attached.
With the fuel cell in place, safety was the next issue. Gosselin installed a non-restrictive safety valve in the fuel line. This valve was put as close to the fuel cell as possible. If the engine or fuel pump stops operating, or the fuel lines are severed in any way, the fuel will be instantly shut off, minimizing the risk of fire.
Next, Gosselin moved to the fuel filter. A bracket was welded onto the fuel cell retaining cage and a screen-type filter was mounted in place. Holleys VoluMAX® screen-type filter will clean out particles as small as 115 microns and comes with -8 and 3/8-inch NPT ports. The filter is designed so it can be opened it for inspection, cleaning and reuse.
The fuel line was routed to the front of the car where it was connected to a Holley VoluMAX® Race Series Fuel Pump. This pump flows 170+ gallons per minute and is designed so the fuel body casting can be rotated 180 degrees to accommodate any pumping situation. When installing the fuel pump, be sure the fuel pump pushrod is in place. Gosselin used a hacksaw blade to hold the pushrod. Once the fuel pump is in position, the hacksaw blade is removed and the pumps bolts are tightened. Some engine blocks have a threaded hole in the front corner, where a single bolt can be tightened to hold the pushrod in place. Gosselin prefers not to use this method to prevent scratching of the pushrod.
The final item to be installed is a Hooters Pro Cup-regulation Holley 600cfm four-barrel carburetor (PN 0-80540-1). Before the carburetor is ready for racing, it is sent to Gosselins engine builder, Jeff Dorton, at Automotive Specialists in Concord, N.C., to have the fuel curve matched to the engine to obtain optimum performance.