Van tank modding help
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi all , I am starting work on my turbo van again and needing help regarding pipe and return etc
I have been reeding a thread regarding a van tank where will -h had commented saying there is no need for a return pipe to be connected to the tank and could be instead t'd in to the feed before the fuel pump , could anyone clarify this for me ( not that I am doubting wills comments ) I just need to be sure so as not to incurr problems later ? Also any help on where to situate the fuel pump etc for best results , I think the regulator will be mounted under the bonnet on the near side , also will the internal reduced diameter be sufficient on the inside of the tank as I will be using 8mm pipe ? Many thanks in advance for anyone who may help

Yes that is fine. Many people on here have done that.

Most pumps like to be as near to the tank as possible. So you'll need to run the return all the way back to it.

Not sure on the tank diameter.

Edited by jonny f on 1st Mar, 2017.

I believe your main issue should be the lack of baffling in the stock tank. I'd personally use an electric pump on the stock pickup feeding a swirl pot, which then feeds the main HP pump. The return line can then go back to the swirl pot, and the swirl overflow back into the main tank... others may have differing opinions.

Sorry what do you mean by baffling in the tank ? Also if I did it this way I would still need to alter the tank for the overflow ? And if so is it best to get another brass female fitting braised into the tank similar to the one existing for the feed ? Sounds quite complicated 😱

Not sure what thread you read, the t-ing back to the low pressure side of the pump is fine. The issue is getting fuel out of the tank.

I used a swirl pot and a lifter pump, is that the tread you read?

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

Hi will I typed in fuel to the string then scrolled down to estate tank return on page 1 and found it in there ! Take a look when you have a minute , you stated that you used a swirl pot but didn't think it necessary in that situation but if you think it is then that sounds like the way I will have to go ! Thanks for the help as I need it 😂

What about air being trapped in the system; this can't get out if you T it into the suction side of the first pump?
Or am I missing something?

Edit: rubish english

Edited by Yo-Han on 1st Mar, 2017.

Dazed and Confused....

Right chaps am I correct in saying that the swirl pot and lift pump are essential on my van tank ? To alleviate any future problems ?
Also does the return from the swirl pot have to go as near to the top of the tank as possible ? And is this totally nessesary? Or could this be t' d in before the pump , as this would be preferable for me so as not to alter the tank ?
Sorry for all the questions guys but you are the ones with the knowlage !! And hopefully I will be an expert when I've done it ha ha

Maybe you could fit a modern 'in tank' pump with integrated swirl pot.. Wouldn't be hard with a van tank I wouldn't think

As for the return going back to a T rather than back to the tank itself I'm not 100% sure. You might find it air locks like that.

I'm quite happy with the external pumps and swirl , I'm just wondering about the return back to the tank and the best way to do it , and if it can be in the side but as close to the top as poss ?
Could anyone recommend which pumps would be best for this and where to get and and the swirl pot so I can get moving forward? Thanks again guys

Put the return into the filler neck.

Edited by John on 2nd Mar, 2017.

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

I'm just concerned that anything put in to the filler neck will foul if removing the tank even if a short piece of pipe is used ?
I'm wondering if I braise a pipe in as high as I can get i would get away with it ? If its not high enough I could bend the pipe upwards inside the tank , do you think this would be ok ?

How about using a VW post-84 seperate swirlpot like you see halfway this page:

Add a secundairy pump after it, the usual plumbing et voila...

Still, there remains a need for an additional pump and a return to the tank.

Dazed and Confused....

Mines t'd in now, previous turbomini had copper pipe brazed in to the top of the tank

Ok it looks like I'm getting somewhere, I am going to buy a metro turbo fuel pump but I also need a lp lift pump ! Is there any kind that anyone can recommend and also a suitable swirl pot please , thank you 😃

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Is this swirl pot above suitable chaps ? It's 1 litre

I've got a pump in the for sale section that would be fine for a lift pump.

Great il take a look 😀
Do you think the above swirl is suitable ?

Sorry more questions ha ha
I'm looking at a direct replacement pump for the metro turbo on e bay I think it's made by syntec ! The inlet push on is 12mm and the outlet is 8mm push on , is this normal or should I be looking at something different

Pm sent

This looked spot on but the swirl pot doesn't look like it's available at the mo , so I need to be looking at other options, cheers

Could you mount a swirl pot inside the spare wheel well, and use a lift pump to feed that and then a high pressure pump to feed the carb?

Or would this not work because the swirl pot would be above the tank?

Hi hazpalmer I have ordered a one off swirl pot to be mounted close to the tank as there is quite a bit of room there , also the lift pump and high flow filter and high pressure pump!! it's taken ages to make sure I have everything correct and of course understand how everything should work as I am new to turbo ing a mini 😲 I'm pretty competent at most things I'm just learning as I go and trying to enjoy what I am doing ( I think the swirl pot in the tyre space is a good idea though as I never thought of that 😀