Safety and fuel tank position

samwood · #1 (**permalink**) 03-15-2005, 05:05 PM

I been looking closely at the FFR frame design and overall it looks very well designed. One concern I have is the position of the fuel tank. In a rear end collision, there doesn't seem to be much frame protection for the tank or crumple space.

Are other manufacturers similiar?

Should I plan on going with a fuel safe?

Any Thoughts?

john sellers · #2 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 07:30 PM

As an owner of a FFR Roadster, I feel a lot of thought went into the design of the frame. The back of the car is designed to fold under in a rear end crash. This makes for a crumple zone that should take some of the force of the crash away from the tank itself. As far as the tank is concerned the mustang tank with the plastic sheld has held up well on the mustang as well as th FFRs for the street. For a car that I was going to race at all I would go with a fuel cell.

John

whitey94 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-10-2005, 10:05 AM

Go with the fuel cell, if only for piece of mind. There is only 1"x1" tubing back there.

Rich A · #4 (**permalink**) 03-04-2006, 07:41 PM

Samwood,
If you look at all the different Cobra frames on the market and look at the rear of all the frames there really isn't much impact protection there.
Now think of how many of these manufactures use fiberglass to make their trunks/complete bodies!
How much impact protection does fiberglass provide?
Factory Five uses .040" thick aluminum panels on all floor panels including the trunk.
Now think, IF fuel should leaks out of the tank and splash on the underside of the Cobra and ignite which would burn faster fiberglass or aluminum?
I know which one!

Bottom line it your choice!