[DeTomaso] Front trunk fuel cell?

[Dick Koch]

Sean points out the issue with a front mounted fuel cell in the Pantera 
- the handling changes as the fuel is used requiring the driver to 
accommodate for the weight shift on the front suspension with the 
resultant changes in steering sensitivity, as well as the balance of the 
car overall. While there are always trade offs, to minimize changes in 
the weight distribution and handling characteristics during the race, it 
is better to have the fuel tank as close as possible to the front to 
back center of gravity.

In talking with a member of the Level 5 Motorsports race team, he 
reiterated what I believe most folks know, that you want to minimize 
changes in the car dynamics during the race, with steering sensitivity 
one of the prime variables one would like to have as consistent as 
possible during a race.

In working with a friend (a very skilled amateur driver who raced his 
Westfield Megabusa for several years, winning his class two years in a 
row) who is building a Lotus Europa race car (mid engine as is the 
Pantera), he was initially going to place a 10 gallon fuel cell in the 
front of the car because it was going to be easier (and cheaper) than to 
fit two 5 gallon saddle bag fuel cells mid ship.  After input from 
several folks, he opted for the more expensive mid ship configuration 
for the reasons mentioned above.  He also realized that the fuel tank 
installed in the more protected mid ship configuration was less prone to 
failure in the event of an accident.

Dick Koch - Atlanta

On 11/17/2013 11:56 AM, Sean Korb wrote:
> I'm wondering if the lore of the Miura, also a front tank setup, is 
> true: as gasoline ran low the steering would get light.  So the car 
> handled differently when the fuel was full than when it was low.  I 
> think it's possible that at higher speed the steering got light as 
> well so there might be some confirmation bias.
> Is anyone else running a front cell in their Pantera?  I've seen a 
> picture or two where it was done but I'm curious what impact it had on 
> performance.
> sean
>
> On Sat, Nov 16, 2013 at 8:50 PM, <MikeLDrew at aol.com 
> <mailto:MikeLDrew at aol.com>> wrote:
>
>     Guys,
>
>     Geoff Peters in the UK wants to get a front trunk-mounted fuel
>     cell for a vintage race Pantera he's building.  I know Greg
>     Esakoff has one in his car (at least I seem to remember he does)
>     and there are a few others as well.
>
>     Anybody with some insight as to how such a thing could be
>     acquired, please let us know!  Please 'reply all' so Geoff (who is
>     not on the forum) can see your thoughts.  Thanks!
>
>     Mike
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> -- 
> Sean Korb spkorb at spkorb.org <mailto:spkorb at spkorb.org> 
> http://www.spkorb.org
> '65,'68 Mustangs,'68 Cougar,'78 R100/7,'60 Metro,'59 A35,'71 Pantera #1382
> "The more you drive, the less intelligent you get" --Miller
> "Computers are useless.  They can only give you answers." -P. Picasso
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