Unless you are an experienced grease monkey, the easiest way to make sure you have all the parts you need is to purchase a fuel conversion kit, many of which are readily available from online retailers such as Greasecar, Frybrid, Golden Fuel Systems and PlantDrive. Certified installers are available for these kits, or you can also try to find an experienced installer near you through the Biodiesel & SVO (Straight Vegetable Oil) discussion forums.

Size and shape are up to you, depending on your car's configuration. The tank material is equally flexible, although some research has suggested that copper (and this includes alloys like brass or bronze) may react badly with your SVO fuel. If you're short on ideas for your fuel tank, you can tap into the creativity of the SVO conversion community for many resourceful solutions.c

The SVO sitting in your new tank needs to be heated to at least 160°F (71°C) before it becomes thin enough both to be pumped to your engine and to burn with similar efficiency as diesel. This can be done by recycling heat from your engine by rerouting the engine coolant line directly through the SVO tank. 

You can also fit your tank with a separate heat exchanger. Although heat exchangers designed specifically for SVO systems are available from specialty retailers like Arctic Fox or PlantDrive, they are common parts that should all work similarly well.

Avoid rubber fuel lines. SVO is a strong solvent and will dissolve rubber over time. Synthetic fuel lines like polyethylene or metal fuel lines (that aren't copper-based) are both reliable and easy to find.

A three-port solenoid valve or a motorized fuel selector valve with at least three ports (any unused ports can easily be sealed) will let you switch between fuel supplies on the fly. As with heat exchangers, specifically designed valves are available from specialty retailers like Frybrid, but selector valves are commonly available in auto parts stores.

• Fuel selector switch: any simple on/off switch will do. Selector valves will often be sold with one.
  
• SVO fuel filter: this will exclusively filter your SVO fuel supply.
  
• Fuel line "T" connector: these are commonly available automotive parts.
  

1. Install your heat exchanger into the SVO tank. Both rerouting engine coolant lines and installing a separate heat exchanger will involve opening and resealing your SVO tank.
2. Secure the secondary tank in your vehicle (typically in the trunk).
3. Fasten your outgoing fuel line to the tank and run it through to the engine area, but do not yet attach it to anything.

The next few steps can be a little confusing to visualize even if you're comfortable under the hood of a car. Two successful SVO converters have put up general diagrams of the SVO fuel system you will be installing. It would be useful to study them before beginning modification as well as refer back to them during the process. One is Vegd VW's detailed diagram.c

Running on SVO does not mean that your original diesel fuel system will never be touched again.