The horsepower of today’s muscle cars far exceeds the output of those classic steeds we all love. The fact that they offer improved fuel mileage and drivability is just more icing on the cake. While an EFI upgrade might not be for everyone, for those enthusiasts wanting to make the switch, the aftermarket is full of EFI conversion options. One of the concerns that has stopped many from making the upgrade is converting their ride’s vintage fuel tank to full-on EFI capability. We’ve got a really cool EFI upgrade planned for our 1964 Chevelle, and with all the available features of a Tanks Inc. fuel tank, a new fuel cell is the obvious choice.

For decades, we stored fuel in basically metal boxes hidden under the trunk or bed of our vehicles. That worked well until it came time to better control the amount of fuel our vehicles used. Besides the benefit of quiet operation, by putting a pump inside the fuel tank, fuel pressure can be increased while also being better regulated.

We have big EFI plans for our ’64 Chevelle, and we need to feed that fuel injection. This Tanks Inc. fuel tank will upgrade our fuel supply while still keeping an OEM appearance.

There are several ways to boost a vehicle’s fuel pressure in preparation for an EFI upgrade, but converting to an EFI-ready fuel tank from Tanks Inc. ensures that your modern fuel system will have all the current benefits and safety features of a modern vehicle. The company also offers a variety of options to tailor the installation of every Tanks Inc. fuel tank it offers.

EFI-Ready Fuel Tank Options & Improvements

We’ve come a long way since a stick was the only way we could tell how much fuel was still in the tank of our rides. All Tanks Inc. fuel tanks are designed with fuel level sending units that offer much more accurate readings than a stick and will work with a variety of gauges, both OEM and aftermarket.

The tanks are also manufactured specifically for carbureted or fuel-injected applications. Yes, Tanks Inc. fuel tanks can be ordered for carbureted applications. Just let the Tanks Inc. representative know your needs when placing your order. With the current trend of upgrading many vintage rides to EFI, Tanks Inc. has become a leader in supplying EFI-ready fuel containment systems for various vehicles. The company offers tanks manufactured out of die-stamped steel, stainless steel, and even rotomolded polyethylene materials.

Our EFI-ready fuel tank (PN: TM37B-T) is manufactured specifically for 1964-1967 Chevelles, Malibus, and Pontiac Beaumonts from galvanized steel that is then powder-coated silver so it will look great for years to come. While the tank is one inch deeper than the factory unit, it will have an OEM appearance and fuel filler neck. Tanks Inc. also supplies the longer straps necessary to accommodate the new tank’s 24-gallon capacity. Our tank also came with a rollover safety valve designed to allow the tank to breathe as fuel is used, but prevent leakage should the unthinkable ever happen.

Internally, our fuel tank also features a baffling system to limit fuel sloshing around. The fuel pump and fuel sender are encased in a 4.8-liter, dual-tube-baffled fuel tray to prevent fuel starvation under heavy braking, acceleration, and cornering. All beneficial if you intend on autocrossing, pro-touring, or drag racing your ride.

Our 383 Small-Block

Our warmed-over, 383 cubic-inch stroker engine has spent the better part of two decades under the hood of our Chevelle. With a 780 cfm Holley four-barrel carb, the engine churned out 442 horsepower at 5,400 RPM and 476 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 RPM. It’s been a trusty powerhouse and makes our Chevelle a potent street cruiser. We’re now wanting to update our ride to EFI while still keeping a vintage vibe. Stay tuned to see what we have planned for our small-block to do just that!

Upgrading To An EFI-Ready Fuel Tank

Once our Tanks Inc. fuel tank arrived, we were ready to dig in and get our fuel-supply system ready for our EFI upgrade. The first task was to assemble the fuel pump assembly for our application. We ordered FiTech‘s Go-Fuel 340lph universal in-tank pump module (PN: 50015) for our application. Installing the assembly was simple, and a quick measurement of the tank’s depth gave us all the information we needed. We trimmed the fuel pump mount, fuel supply, and return lines to the proper length.

The universal fuel pump assembly comes pre-wired with all the hoses, which only needed trimming to fit the Tanks Inc. fuel tank perfectly.

The fuel pressure and return lines are already attached to the pump assembly base. Some simple math, accounting for the length of the fuel pump and sock, was all we needed to get the pump installed. The pre-wired assembly already has the pump wires in place. Once we cut the pump mount to the proper height, we trimmed the excess pump wires and installed new terminals at the pump power supply studs.

Another benefit of using an EFI-ready fuel tank is that the pump assembly incorporates a proper fuel return. All we needed to do was measure and cut the tubing. Many upgrades involve simply poking a hole in the top of the tank somewhere to install a fitting for a return line. This can induce unwanted evaporation and agitation of the fuel in certain situations, which could create fuel starvation issues.

Our fuel pump assembly is compact but capable. It’s rated to flow 340 liters per hour, which will be plenty to keep our stroker small-block satisfied.

Tanks Inc. can provide GM-style or aftermarket fuel-level sending units that utilize the standard SAE five-hole mounting. We opted for an aftermarket, float-less sending unit. This was ideal for our application because a conventional swing arm unit would not fit due to clearance issues. For our EFI-ready tank, both the fuel pump and fuel level assembly fit down into a tray inside the tank. This design allows fuel to the pump and level sender, yet prevents starvation and inaccurate level readings due to the movement of the fuel while driving.

The tubular design of the sending unit also acts as a damper to prevent the gauge pointer from moving due to fuel sloshing. The float-less fuel sender has no side-to-side motion, which means it has no moving parts to wear out. Tanks Inc. offers units in five different Ohm ranges to accommodate both OEM gauges and a variety of aftermarket units. The sending units are also compatible with gasoline or diesel applications.

We use a non-vented tank because we vent through the vent line and rollover valve.  You could still use a vented cap if you wanted.  However, vented caps are more prone to leaking during acceleration. — Jason Somerville, Tanks Inc.

The last feature of our new Tanks Inc. fuel tank could be the most important one, should the need ever arise. As the fuel is used up, there needs to be adequate venting of the tank to allow air into the tank to prevent creating a vacuum. Our tank incorporates a rollover safety valve that enables adequate airflow into the tank but prevents fuel from spilling out, should the vehicle’s shiny surface and wheels ever swap position. Heaven forbid!

This rollover valve allows the fuel tank to breathe, but will prevent fuel from spilling out if the unthinkable ever happens.

We’re looking forward to our EFI upgrade and will continue enjoying driving the car while we get all the necessary fuel injection components together. We plan on having the car running on fuel injection for this summer’s cruising, so keep your eyes peeled for that story soon. In the meantime, check out Tanks Inc.’s website and see all the great EFI-ready products and options it offers for upgrading your ride to EFI.