Surge tanks and overall fuel capacity

[flowbiscuit]

So I'm not used to having such a small gas tank. I've had my BRZ for almost a year now so I've gotten used to it, but it's still an inconvenience. I know our tanks are split and shaped weird so simply swapping a larger tank in is not so simple. I was looking into various surge tanks and was wondering if adding a surge tank would basically allow my car to carry more fuel? For example, I was looking at a 3.5 liter (0.93 gallons) modular surge tank; would that basically add another gallon to my overall fuel capacity? I understand the real purpose for a surge tank but I'm just wondering if this could be an added benefit

[computeruser]

What problem are you trying to solve? 300+ mile range not adequate between fills? After that many miles, I figure the driver would want to stop to take a leak, if nothing else.

[flowbiscuit]

oh man I WISH I got 300+ miles between fills haha. I get like 250 at best. But I just want to fill up less often honestly. Mo' fill ups = mo' money lol. But this is far from a make or break situation I was just bouncing an idea I was thinking about onto the forum.

[computeruser]

You could throw a pretty good sized fuel cell into the trunk, I guess. Maybe another 20 gallons?

[Slammillionaire]

Originally Posted by flowbiscuit

Mo' fill ups = mo' money lol..

I understand not wanting to go to the gas station as often, but how does this make any sense?

But really in a 4cyl car that gets like 25mpg, how much bigger would you really need? Are you taking road trips every day or something?

[bcj]

Er...

Get a gas can to put in the trunk?
Rotopax spare fuel tanks are pretty rugged and have a good record
in the Adventure motorcycling field. Can get a pack mount to fix them solidly.

What cars have you had before that went farther than 250 to a tank?
Ford F150 might get that with the camper special reserve tank I suppose.
Might want to consider Oregon or New Jersey if it's beneath you to pump gas...

You'll be carrying around 6.3 pounds extra weight per gallon wherever you go.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by Slammillionaire

... but how does this make any sense?

It doesn't.

[Brink]

I wouldn't think an extra 0.93 gallons would make enough difference to be worth making the modifications to your fuel system. Besides, you'd be adding weight which could at least partially offset the extra fuel in terms of the benefit to range - maybe not by much, but if you're only getting an extra 0.93 gallons to begin with that's a pretty slim margin to chip away at.

[Grady]

Originally Posted by flowbiscuit

Mo' fill ups = mo' money lol.

Technically it is just the opposite, The heavyer you car is the worse you gas mileage will be.

[mazeroni]

How much gas do you put in your tank each fillup? If you are only going 250 mile per tank, and you are refueling when the light comes on, you would only be averaging like 20-21 mpg...

Are you in serious stop and go traffic? Or do you just romp on it too much?

You would easily get the equivalent of .93 gallons by changing your driving habits just a smidgen. Getting your average to 23 mpg would more than cover you.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by flowbiscuit

Mo' fill ups = mo' money lol

How exactly does that work?


10 fill ups of 10 gallons at $1 a gallon = $100
1 fill up of 100 gallons at $1 a gallon = $100


Frequency of fill ups does not impact cost in any way, shape, or form.

[flowbiscuit]

I travel back and forth from CT to VT often. I definitely romp on it too much haha. But I've had a few cars (Saab 900s, 9000CSE, 9-3) that got more miles per tank, except my modified Audi A4B7 and my Saab 9-3 Aero. Yes, 0.93 gallons is a small amount, but even at 25mpg thats almost another 25 miles. And driving conservatively could increase that. I was looking at surge tanks for other reasons though not just to increase fuel capacity.

[flowbiscuit]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

How exactly does that work?


10 fill ups of 10 gallons at $1 a gallon = $100
1 fill up of 100 gallons at $1 a gallon = $100


Frequency of fill ups does not impact cost in any way, shape, or form.

That equation (10x10=1x100) doesn't correctly represent the issue. If you have to fill up twice a month versus four times a month, that definitely impacts cost.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by flowbiscuit

That equation (10x10=1x100) doesn't correctly represent the issue. If you have to fill up twice a month versus four times a month, that definitely impacts cost.

Still not sure how that works. If you had to fill the same size tank more times ya sure but filling up larger tanks less often doesn't save you squat.