high output fuel pump

[Rootie524]

is there such a thing as a high output fuel pump for the 3100/3400 n-bodies? i just had my fuel pump replaced 8 months ago and i barely went 4,000 miles since then and my fuel pump has died again. the fuel pump part is covered by the garage that did it so they will replace it for labor only ($130) so i figure its cheaper just to have them do it again.

but im getting quite the bit of performance mods and i push the car quite a bit..im soon to have 28lb injectors so the engine needs more fuel and it will be getting more fuel and now im thinking the stock pump won't be up for the task. how do i effectively get more fuel to the engine at a higher rate of speed without killing the pump

[robertisaar]

if you only have a fuel pump last 8 months, there are two possible causes:

1: it was a junk part to begin with. it happens, no manufacturer is perfect, or test absolutely every part in every possible way to stress test a part. that's a good reason to get a refund on it/replaced for free

2. you have other underlying issues that caused the pump to die: voltage spikes, cavitation caused overheating, filter was plugged from the start making the pump basically overexert itself to get enough fuel to the rails, contaminants in fuel, etc...

you should find out which is the case before spending more money on dropping in another that could suffer the same fate.

[pocket-rocket]

if you only have a fuel pump last 8 months, there are two possible causes:

1: it was a junk part to begin with. it happens, no manufacturer is perfect, or test absolutely every part in every possible way to stress test a part. that's a good reason to get a refund on it/replaced for free

2. you have other underlying issues that caused the pump to die: voltage spikes, cavitation caused overheating, filter was plugged from the start making the pump basically overexert itself to get enough fuel to the rails, contaminants in fuel, etc...

you should find out which is the case before spending more money on dropping in another that could suffer the same fate.

Very possible. My friends 95 S10 SS is on it's 4th pump in a week. 2 Declo's, 1 Airtex and finally the Napa brand is still working after 2 days and is the only one to actually still work the next day after install. I suggested to him that he get a Walbro.

[Rootie524]

isn't a fuse supposed to prevent damaging voltage spikes..and i believe my fuse is fine...so wouldnt i be good in that aspect or is there something else? and ill change my fuel filter even though it was changed when i got the last pump in and ill put in a fuel system cleaner

[robertisaar]

isn't a fuse supposed to prevent damaging voltage spikes..and i believe my fuse is fine...so wouldnt i be good in that aspect or is there something else? and ill change my fuel filter even though it was changed when i got the last pump in and ill put in a fuel system cleaner

fuses protect from too many amps from running through a circuit... i can run 1000V through an automotive fuse, so long as i don't exceed the amperage at which it pops and breaks the circuit, it will be fine.

[Syclone1452]

The two main reasons for fuel pump death are dirt and low voltage.

Voltage that is higher than 12V isn't harmful for a pump. It's the too-low voltage that is really bad. That causes the pump to draw way too much current and burn-up. You should be able to run a typical pump on 15-17 volts without any troubles... They can really push some fuel at that point!

Rootie.. what year is your N body? I'll do some looking around for fuel pump options.
If it's 92 or newer, there aren't many performance options. GM started using a module in 92, and aftermarket performance pumps won't just drop right in there. Trying to stuff a Walbro pump into one of those OE modules can cause more problems than it solves

Running a dry is also a bad thing. The fuel cools the internals. As little as 20-30 seconds of running dry can melt plastic internals of a fuel pump.

That S-10 that has killed four pumps has another problem. Check the tank for dirt, and the voltage at the pump.

If your pump works, look into the MSD Volt Booster or the Kenne Bell Boost-a-pump. They raise the voltage to the pump to dramatically increase the output of the pump.

Keep your voltage high and your fuel clean...

[Rootie524]

i have a 2002 malibu. and youre telling me that giving more voltage to the pump is fine? i always thought thats bad because its making it work much harder than it was built to so the life span shortens. that was my understand..i guess i may have been wrong

[pocket-rocket]

i have a 2002 malibu. and youre telling me that giving more voltage to the pump is fine? i always thought thats bad because its making it work much harder than it was built to so the life span shortens. that was my understand..i guess i may have been wrong

I always thought so too. Then again, it does sit in a huge tank of liquid (as long as you have gas in it) that helps act almost like a coolant to help keep it cool.

[Rootie524]

well..i never really thought much about fuel delivery. i knew i should have 28lb injectors but never really thought about the rest of it. i guess i should get one of those voltage boosters. and should i get the TCE adjustable fuel pressure regulator too? how would that benefit me? i dont exactly know.

all i can tell you is im replacing the pump with a stock one..ill get a voltage booster, and in a few weeks im going to have 28lb injectors.

and the voltage booster is adjustable..but is it automatic in adjusting the right voltage to throttle position? i guess i dont understand why its adjustable..what is there to change? i know change the voltage..but would i really even need to? idk..try to help me out here. thanks!

[Syclone1452]

i have a 2002 malibu. and youre telling me that giving more voltage to the pump is fine? i always thought thats bad because its making it work much harder than it was built to so the life span shortens. that was my understand..i guess i may have been wrong

For things like injectors, radios, computers, lights, etc. higher voltage is not a good thing. But, the fuel pump is simply a little DC motor. Sending more voltage to it will just make it spin faster.

Low voltage will cook one, though. The pump has to work harder to get the desired flow. That will draw more current and heat everything up.

The Walbro engineers I spoke with said that they ran some of their pumps for 24 hrs straight with 17 volts or more. When they took them apart, there was no more wear than when they were run at 12-13 volts.

[Syclone1452]

well..i never really thought much about fuel delivery. i knew i should have 28lb injectors but never really thought about the rest of it. i guess i should get one of those voltage boosters. and should i get the TCE adjustable fuel pressure regulator too? how would that benefit me? i dont exactly know.

You'll only need a volt booster if your current pump can't keep up. If you notice fuel pressure dropping-off under load/boost, that means the pump isn't keeping up. More voltage to the pump will make it deliver more fuel. The only real way to know if your pump can't keep up is to watch fuel pressure. If your wide-band O2 [WBO2] indicates lean, that doesn't always mean your fuel pump isn't keeping up; it could mean your injectors are too small or your computer isn't holding them open long enough.... ALWAYS watch fuel pressure.

all i can tell you is im replacing the pump with a stock one..ill get a voltage booster, and in a few weeks im going to have 28lb injectors.

Six 28-lb injectors [i assume 28 lb @ 43.5 psi? You didn't state at what pressure] will flow 168 lb of fuel [6 * 28].. that's about 28 gal/hr. That should be enough fuel to support 300-325 horsepower. If you run more fuel pressure, you'll get more flow... up to the point where the injectors get unpredictable... you need to check with your vendor to get all the flow/pressure info on your injectors.

and the voltage booster is adjustable..but is it automatic in adjusting the right voltage to throttle position? i guess i dont understand why its adjustable..what is there to change? i know change the voltage..but would i really even need to? idk..try to help me out here. thanks!

Obviously you won't need all that extra fuel at idle and just cruising around. That is why the volt booster watches rpm and vacuum/boost. You'll set when you want the voltage to climb and how quickly. Only running higher voltage when you need it will extend the life of the pump, and not heat-up all the fuel because you're returning it all to the tank, again.