I have read through my '04 NHRA rule book about properly mounting fuel cells and didn't really come across height issues, just proper ventilation, and hardware. My racing buddies tell me that the top of the cell has to be lower than the top of my tires. I can't find that anywhere in the rulebook. I have an 18 gal pro-street cell and as it sits right on the trunk pan, it's level with the top of the wheel wells. Is this too high, or will I have to drop it lower to pass tech? I have no problem with doing that, nor would it be hard for me to make the cage and pan to sit the cell in, but I just want some more clarification on this. I don't want to have to do it twice. Thanks for any help you guys can give....

The couple of NHRA races I have ran in said nothing about height of my cell. The rule book clearly said a few years ago it had to be lower than the top of the tire, they may have gotten away from it.

my cell is mounted to my trunk pan also, i race at two NHRA tracks and never had anybody in tech say anything about my cell height.

I like what I'm hearing....

juan,
one thing to check, when the cell is full [or near full] make sure the fuel level in the cell is not higher than the carb fuel level. Also, be aware that if you jack the car up in the rear, [say to change tires] fuel can spill into the engine if the cell is near full.
Larry Woodfin
Crate Racer

Remember to run a ground wire from one of the bolts at the filler neck to the chassis of the car too. Static electricity is no fun when you go to fill a cell...

I got the official word today.... I emailed NHRA the same question and they replied that since fuel cells and fuel are not considered ballast they can be mounted over the tires if neccesary. The only rules are about mounting ballast, it must be below the top of the tires. Pretty neat huh? Thanks for the advice on mounting my cell fellas....

Hey Larry, how do you mean about the fuel running into my engine? Can it run through my filter, mech. pump and regulator and up to my carb? How do I check it before final mounting, I would hate for that to happen!

Juan,
yes, it is possible for that to happen. As a safeguard, find a way to measure about 1" from the top of the fuel cell [let's say this would be the fuel level if full] to the garage floor [or some other reference point] Then, measure from the top of the carb bowl to the same reference point used at the cell. The carb bowl should be slightly higher than the highest expected fuel level.
Larry Woodfin
Crate Racer

Thanks Larry, I'll be sure to do that...