[loggerhead]

I would like to install an In-Tank electric fuel pump on my 1976 Trans Am. It is carbureted (Q-Jet). I am making 500 HP now with up to 650 HP possible. Who makes
a pump that would be suitable for this application. I definately need to hold the pressure between 5 and 9 PSI at the Carb.

Thanks,
David

[67 Lamnas]

Originally Posted by loggerhead

I would like to install an In-Tank electric fuel pump on my 1976 Trans Am. It is carbureted (Q-Jet). I am making 500 HP now with up to 650 HP possible. Who makes
a pump that would be suitable for this application. I definately need to hold the pressure between 5 and 9 PSI at the Carb.

Thanks,
David

Aeromotive

[Money Pit]

Check out Summit, Aeromotive does make an In-Tank electric fuel pump that does support over 1000hp NA.

Jeff

[Overkillphil]

I recently completed a nice install on my 72 (avatar pic) using a Buick GN pump, filter and special regulator. Finally cured all my problems with fuel starvation. The needle is steady under all conditions.

The pump is quiet and I like the reliable nature of this setup as I drive to the Jersey shore with my kids sometimes in addition to all the street and occasional strip action.

[Joel Koontz]

Phil, how did you install that pump? Did it fit into the stock opening in the tank? Did you install any type of baffle? Exacty what regulator are you using?

Thanks, Joel

[Overkillphil]

Joel, I used a street rod sump kit which has a self contained baffle. Nice kit, just have to cut a nice round hole in the top of the tank. I cut where the "breast" looking area is with the vent tube coming out. I used a correct size holesaw as recommended and took my time.

Then I painted the cut area with Eastwood tank silver to protect it (I bought a brand new tank for this project) and installed the sump kit with GN pump. I noticed the new kits are coming with the pump so you don't have to worry about that part either.

I retained the old sending unit assembly in its original location to run the gauge. I cut a hole in the old suction line just under the sending unit sealing disc to act as a vent. That is connected to my old vent line.

The sump kit has the feed line and return lines built in. Just make the connections. I had to cut a small section out of my trunk floor for clearance, no big deal. Actually makes it very easy to change pumps if you have to.

I ran all new supply and return lines as I didn't want to take any chances. I custom bent steel line and made a nice bracket plate for the fuel filter which I welded on the inside (behind) my subframe connector on the pass. side. I ran all the lines on the pass. side BTW. For the fuel filter I used a stock Buick GN filter just to keep everything simple. This is designed for this purpose, so why reinvent the wheel. I discovered a nice coil bracket works perfectly on the filter to bolt to the welded bracket.

The regulator is mounted on the pass. side wheel well and is an Aeromotive unit. Nice unit designed for this purpose. There are only a few regulators made for this type of usage. I got alot of resistence from vendors and suppliers about this. Alot of "you can't do that crap", just like in 1987 when I was figuring a way to install the 200-4R trans in my 72 Formula!

Anyway, I installed an electric fuel gauge since I hate gauges on the hood and am not impressed with the isolators. The electric Autometer gauge works flawlessly and is rock steady.

Like any other electric fuel pump install, make sure you use quality stuff and have good, tight and reliable connections. Also, probably most important: The return line MUST be at least the same size as the supply line.

My Formula has had fuel starvation issues for 10 years now in one form or another. I tried alot of things over the years to eliminate this. Even the holley electric race pump I used had major issues. I completed this project earlier this year and the car has been running flawlessly. These pumps can support alot more horsepower than people think. BTW, this is not the AC-Delco GN pump, but the better aftermarket replacement from Walbro (255 lt.hr).

[myckee]

Phil, who makes the street rod sump kit? This sounds like the kind of thing I would like to do in the future.

[Overkillphil]

Here ya go...Merry Christmas!
Link: (http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/pa...prod/prd84.htm)

[myckee]

Awesome, thanks. Now, which aeromotive regulator did you use? Is it this one?: http://www.aeromotiveinc.com/product...tsub=2&prod=20

[Jack Gifford]

Originally Posted by Overkillphil

... Buick GN pump...The pump is quiet...

Any idea how quiet? I haven't yet decided what type of electric pump for my '59 GMC, which has the tank behind the seat in the cab. I'm guessing that the quietest in-tank pump might be too noisy just three feet from my ears?

[Overkillphil]

Pontiac Jack, I have found the intank pumps to be the most quiet, especially comparing to the external version "garbage grinders" like the Holley Blue pump. The gas provides a noise insulator as well as keeps the pump cool.


myckee, that's the one.

[Billz428]

OverKill, I hope you could post some pics, sounds like an awesome set-up!

[Joel Koontz]

Thanks for the info/links etc. I too would be interested in seeing some photos if you could post them. I would like to go to this type of system if I become confident that it does not have any significant drawbacks.

How does the sump operate. It appears to just be a small pan that the fuel pump sets in. Is there more to it than that? Does it have trap doors or one way valves or anything of that sort? If it is just a pan, it seems like if you were cruising down a level road it would run out of fuel in the pan, long before the tank would be empty.

I agree that the intank pumps are normally the quietest electric fuel pumps and are generally MUCH quieter than external pumps, except of for stock type mechanical pumps. I had a 95 Z-28 and currently have a 2000 Corvette. The Corvette has the stock pump and the Z-28 had a 255 LPH pump. I never heard the pumps with the engines running (Corvette has quiet stock exhaust), barely heard it with the engine off.

Intank pumps are also generally very reliable, primarily because they are sumberged in fuel and fuel (unless they get run dry) keeps them very cool. If run dry, they will quickly be damaged but that is also true of extenal electric fuel pumps.

[Overkillphil]

I did take pics as I was doing the project and posted a topic on it at another site. Unfortunately, no one seemed interested in it as they only want to know about what the "crowd" does.

I changed computers recently, so have to see if they are on the old one. If I still have them, I will try to post them.

Joel, the pan sits on the bottom of the tank. Very clever design. The return dumps into the pan at the bottom next to the fuel pump. Also there are specific instructions about mounting it. There are some strategic holes in the pan to control the fuel. The only way you could run this thing dry is to drive on the side of a wall, or run the tank dry. This set up is not exactly as quiet as in the original stock installation. Probably due to the hollow Firebird tank and sump setup. But still much quieter than an external pump. I can hear it when I activate the key, and barely when the engine starts. Once driving I hear nothing but the sweet sound of 8 Pontiac cylinders.

[Billz428]

Ever find those pictures?

Lots of good info here for a winter project

[Joel Koontz]

Bill, I did not take any pictures, but here is a link to a post amout my install. http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...tank+fuel+pump