138 replies to this topic

[ls2lxhatch]

The following information is only relevant in WA.

I asked a couple of engineers today if the exhaust system can be used for the departure angle under the WA NCOP rules. None of the engineers knew the answer to the question. So I called the Perth Technical Section and the reply was a definite no.

I spoke to a licenced tank builder and he told me that dozens of his tanks which do not fit within the departure angle have passed over the WA pits without any problems in the last twelve months. He has not been officially advised of the departure angle rule under the NCOP although he has been advised of other rule changes in relation to fuel tank construction.

At this point in WA it would appear that if you have to go over the pits with a drop tank then they may not check the departure angle. This could change at any time depending on who you get at the pits or if a directive is sent to enforce the departure angle. It also means the car could be defected at any time if you do not have documentation from the licencing department stating that your tank has been approved.

If you have listed a drop tank on a Modification Application, then you will be required to have an engineer complete the checklist LM1 on page 10 of the NCOP9_Section_LM_Fuel_Systems_3feb2006.pdf. Question 1.7 will force the engineer to check the departure angle.

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 09 June 2009 - 02:49 PM.

[bryanw]

my2cents worth since one day will also face this problem, fit the 100ltr tank that fits inside the departure act as per one of the previous pages, then fit a dummy tank cover for looks.
send current tank back, either for repair, or refund. unless there is some disclaimer with the tank.

think it is a safety issue, some rules do make sense, just protecting us from ourselves.

rules are to cover all types of vehicles, drivers and abilities (unfortunately) so there are restrictive speed limits, power to weight ratio, wheel size etc etc.

[ls2lxhatch]

To avoid hassles in the future I will be building another tank that complies with the departure angle. The design I am working on contains a surge tank, a recess for the fuel pumps and does not extend all the way to the beaver panel. Unfortunately according to my calculations the tank will only hold around 60 litres, I would have preferred 80+.

[ls2lxhatch]

The drawing is done in google sketchup 7 which you can download for free. Once you have sketchup you can load the drawing and check measurements. I will post up the drawing on Thursday.

I plan to make a mock up tank using 3 mm MDF. Once that is finished you can come and have a look if you are not too far from Willetton.

[ls2lxhatch]

Nice drawings sketchup is the perfect tool for stuff like this, I noticed that you have a rectanglur cutout for the spare tire bulge in the boot floor I think you will find it does not have to be anywhere near that big and be angled up from front of tank toward rear of tank giving you a few more litres of capicity.

I think he mentioned that cut out is for fuel pumps. I could be looking at the wrong cut out though.

[ls2lxhatch]

ls2lxhatch, that tank looks dynomite mate! its really turned out nicely. im assuming that everything complies with the departure angle.

The tank in the above pictures is similar to the Brown Davis design and therefore does not fit within the departure angle. I posted the picture to show why the spare tyre cutout is flat in the new tank design.

I will send you a pm when I have finished the mockup tank.