ME’s Fuel Tank Location

[John]

Where do you think the ME’s fuel tank(s) will be located?

According to Don Sherman of C&D, in 2014 he wrote, “Another packaging issue is the fuel-tank location. Porsche stuck with its historic ahead-of-the-cockpit spot for balance, but we imagine GM is more likely to tuck the C8’s gas tank in a center tunnel where it could share space with coolant plumbing.[/Quote]

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...d-zora-feature

What do you think? Will there be one in the center “spline,” or split tanks as we have seen for several generations? Did the 10 CAD drawings help us figure this out?

[JLemke]

The center tunnel location was used on the 2005-6 ford GT and also the Falcon F7. Interior pics of tunnel size would help with guess.

[John]

Good points. Thanks JLemke. Will either of these be helpful to skilled CAD readers?

[Boomer]

Maybe difficult to reach like the C7 tanks. Build it right and it will last.

[Mobius]

I think the C8 will maintain the current split-tank arrangement of the C7, and in the same general location (on either side of the C7 transaxle, or on either side of the C8 engine).

[meyerweb]

Putting the tanks that far back (around the transaxle) will make for a really rear-biased weight distribution. Good for braking and acceleration, not so good for cornering. And on the ME, the transaxle may well extend behind the rear axle, not in front of it. (Note that the C7 doesn't really have a transaxle. It has a differential and a separate transmission, that happen to be bolted together. The ME is almost certain to have a true transaxle, with the engine ahead of the axle and the bulk of the transaxle behind.) As in this photo of a transaxle from the older Ford GT. The engine bolts to the right end, the axles attach behind that, and the rest hangs off the rear.



Looking at the first CAD drawing, what do people think the large, reddish-brown object just inside & behind the right front wheel well is? Looks like it could be a hollow container.

[Supermassive]

The center tunnel certainly looks tall enough to house a tank, but a front mounted tank is probably 100% not in the cards since the filler cap is located on the left rear quarter. My guess is that the tank will be a more vertical affair behind the driver and maybe wrapping partially under the tunnel.

[AbqVic]

My guess only. Split tanks on both sides of the engine, ahead of the axle, and below the exhaust manifolds.

[Racer86]

Daytona prototypes had a fuel cell that was mounted vertically on the engine/ cockpit fire wall. It was tall, wide and thin. It also had 2 fuel pumps and cell foam to allow fuel pickup in all modes of cornering.

[John]

That is very useful information Racer86. Had not thought of that possibility. Thank you.

[John]

The ME’s the fuel tank’s location is the same as JLemke posted above.

The fuel tank and the coolant lines will reside in a central tunnel.

[John]

C8 gas tank found, thanks to CRABBYJ’s picture and graphic.

[bobbytinvab]

Center tunnel makes a lot of sense. I almost hate to say this, but my Fiero has it in the tunnel as well. BUT seeing that it holds 18.5 gallons, Ive got to think the split tank similar to current design would be the answer.

[meyerweb]

I think GM probably has other plans for the center tunnel: battery pack, anyone?

[John]

Please read the slider thread on Design Considerations for more current C8 uses of the center tunnel if one is wanting more info. Not saying there is not room later for additional components within it...

So, SO nice the cup holders are deeper, as is the center console cubby.