Hi,
My new-to-me 2003 SR3 has an SCCA logbook. I'd like to get an SCCA annual inspection even if I don't plan to race it as, umm, just in case.
Does the fuel cell need to be certified every so often like the fire bottle? I have a certificate for when I installed a new cell in my FF car but no such document for my SR3. Then I read the SCCA rules and found this:
"All safety fuel bladders shall be constructed and certified in accordance with the FIA FT-3 or higher (FT-3.5, FT-5, etc.) or SFI 28.3 specifications. Fuel cells do not time out and have no expiration date."
Has anyone been through this and can advise?
Thank you,
larry
Larry,
I was in your position about a year ago and it was an easy one to make. We sit right next to the cell/tank. After a few years of use it's not all that unusual for them to start to leak and lose integrity. Especially if someone has left reformulated fuel in it. I need to know I can trust my car and equipment before I put it on the track.
Unless you can find out from the previous owner, or can find something else that points to a certification date you have to assume it's out of date. I replaced mine with the Harmon Racing Cell you see advertised on the site. It was a lot less and offered the 7 year warranty vs the standard Radical cell of 3 or 5. There are a couple of other threads that discuss this on the site. One has pictures of what a cell can look like after 5yrs.
https://radicalsportscarregistry.com/radicalforum/general-discussion/fuel-cell-dilemma/#post-3935
As for SCCA tech, I've been told different things by different people. I just make sure to have my certificate from the new cell in my tech book in case they call me on it. I'd hate to tell you one thing and then have your local tech say something different. I'd email the chief of tech for your region and see what they say then print that email out. Or just put a new cell in and know your car is solid for the next 7 years?
Hi Larry, If the car is new to you you definitely should verify that the fuel cell is within it's certification date. If you do need a fuel cell I can help you out because I worked with Harmon Racing Cells to develop an affordable FIA certified fuel cell for Radicals and can get you a good price on one.
You should not drive or even fill the car with gas until you know what you are dealing with. If this car has the original cell in it you will find that it has disintegrated and is not safe to hold fuel. Here is a picture of a fuel cell that I took out of a 2000 Prosport in 2019. The cell was in such bad shape that it was literally breaking off in chunks.
The first thing to do is confirm if you have a fuel cell or an aluminum fuel tank. If you look in the right side of the engine compartment you will see where the fuel filler line goes through the fire wall and attaches to the fuel cell. If you look closely in that area with a flash light and a mirror you should be able to tell if the the metal piece that the filler line is attached to welded to an aluminum tank or if it is a fitting that is attached to a fuel cell. If you can see that it is a fuel cell you should remove the seat and tank cover to inspect the date on the fuel cell before driving the car.
Let me know if you have any other questions,
Charley
I will do so tonight. Thanks for the information.
I will do so tonight. Thanks for the information.
