Glenn, I think you are right about the fuel tank shape. When Dave Tuttle build our car in 1997, he asked about what Bud wanted for a tank, and we were going to race the car and not build a show car, Bud wanted a tank that would not die after a burn-out or after the finish line, he built a kinda tall tank, it's a 4 gal tank that is 10" tall, & 16" long, with a baffle/shelf about 3" from the bottom, and about 1" open on each end of the tank with one hole under the fuel cap so the tech guys can do the fuel check [ must be pure alky], no hinged baffle. We have never had a problem with fuel supply.
BTW, if you'll notice the big show cars have tall tanks. Now when I had my nitro JrFuel car in the 60's, we made a cute little tank no higher than the top frame rail, and widge shape, BUT that was during the time of no burn-outs, just push start from the big end, change lanes behind the start line, and go with a flagman and smoke the tires about half track, no VHT.
Glenn I know you may not like our tank design, because of your full body, but a 10" tall tank has worked perfect for us.
I hope this helps.
Jon