Yup, thats my thought as well, call it misguided but I do like the thought of a solid sheet of metal between me and the tank, as does the NHRA etc..

A silly sheet metal cover glued in place is not the same, sorry.

i think it can be handled ok if done right. A lot of OE cars have access panels.

But usually guys cut the hole with the tank in, which is a bad idea IMO.

I do not believe hatchback cars do. My old gtp had an access door from the factory.

A lot of OE cars where the "trunk" is in the passenger cabin area?

Nissan Rogue had one and I've seen a few sedans with them under the rear seat. Still, I ain't a fan.

hondas had them under the back seat.

Neither of those are in crumple zones though, I can understand that

The crumple zone ends in the trunk well I thought? The gas tank is obviously directly under that area so it makes sense for the collision to be dispersed prior to that area

Yeah I was going to say I sure hope that isn't a crumple zone.

If a car gets hit hard enough that it deforms that area where the panel would be you have aother issues to worry about then fumes leaking into the body. But most access panels have an gasket as well.

Well, this escalated quickly.

But a good debate. Personally, I've dropped the tank out of my 2000 and it really wasn't that bad, with the filler neck disconnected (The one out of the '95 is a different story, though). Still, I'm not sure if I would rule out the option of cutting the door--It would just come down to re-sealing it well enough to keep the cabin smelling of only my own fumes.

Point taken. I can see points on either side, going to have to make up my mind sooner or later. Probably going to drop the tank to play it safe.

If you get rear ended and without a hole cut it deforms but does not tear, you still are sealed from a very likely leaking gas tank in what probably was a nasty accident. Now, same accident, but with that layer of metal already punctured, now you have a lovely access point for fumes,or fuel to come say hello.

Highly unlikely and highly theoretical, but still, something to think bout.

Just seems backwards to me.

I understand what your saying. A fuel tank shouldn't not be leaking to atmosphere anyway so if you are smelling fumes you can at least remove the door and reseal it.

I guess that's just my flat rate mentality though. lol

Gm did it this way so it would be more labor to replace the pump...i.e dropping the tank instead of the access panel. If it was redesigned, theres no reason they wouldn't put the access door in. Yes there are hack jobs, but I've also seen ones done real nice w/gaskets, and allen screws/torx done to mimic a factory produced look.

Well, did this today, finally. Dropped the tank. After a lot of wrestling and cursing, the racetronix stuff is in. If I have to do this again any time soon, before my sanity returns and the cuts heal, I'm cutting an access panel. :laugh:

Despite having dropped the fuel tank a dozen times, and being able to do it with ease now, I think the first time I did it was one of the worst experiences of my entire life. I'd cut it... it's easier, and who cares really? it's your car, and it isn't in anyway unique, rare, or whatever... and no one is ever going to see it. So why hassle yourself?

No one sees the oil in your engine. Should you leave it out?

Here is an example of one on a car i just worked on.

Again a fuel tank shouldn't be leaking fumes regardless otherwise it should throw a check engine light. Even when I have seen gas pouring out the top of the gas tank this cover seals it well enought it never made any fumes into the vehicle.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3...pse8687869.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ps9a19eefd.jpg

Oil is a critical component of an engine, not an unimportant, thin piece of sheet metal that's hidden by carpet and seating. Really, what is the big deal about cutting a small hole into an f-body? Why is it acceptable to do all sorts of other crap to them, but suddenly cutting a hole is crossing the line?

I'm sure a lot of people on here have modified their wheel wells for tire clearance, drilled holes to mount ignition boxes, etc. and no one cries when they see that.

i think the biggest concern is the action of cutting itself, especially in cars with metal tanks (so what, 82-98?). one slip and boom.

ok, for the literal police, fire is the concern...

If that is the reason, it's very irrational. Even if you did accidentally cut into the tank, the chances of it going "boom" is nearly impossible. This isn't the movies.

Eh, most people hack it apart, looks like ****, and never seal it properly if at all. That is a little different than cutting bump stop mounts or hammering inner fenders and rolling quarter lips. If guys were to do it like the oem photos in this thread, sure go for it. I really don't see where the hassle is with doing it the correct way especially with a 10 bolt. The toughest part will be the exhaust which most people have tinkered with already so it should remove easily. Nice to see you back on the boards!

If I did this where I had more time and room, I could have dropped the tank, cut the access panel, welded in a reinforcing strip around the edge, and made a nice cover that would bolt in just like OEM.

I wanted to get my car back on the road quicker, though. Maybe next winter if I don't have anything else going on.