Questions about Swapping to Fuel Cell

[importracr317]

I'm about to order a Frontline Fabrication 2G fuel cell, braided lines from the tank to the rail and a pump to power the system.

My question is, can I run an external fuel pump by itself? I still have the Walbro 255lph pump, but I was hoping to ditch the stock hanger since it's all rusted and worn out.

My plan was to use a single pump off the sump. The cell will have provisions for additional lines which can be used for additional pumps if necessary, but for my goals (350ish whp) I don't think it will be necessary.

To swap everything out, my parts list includes:

1. External pump - opinions on brand, flow rates?
2. FF Fuel Cell
3. Autometer sending unit and fuel level gauge (stock sending unit hasn't work in years.)
4. STM tank-to-rail fuel line kit

I also plan on rewiring the FP....I know, I know....I should've done that a long time ago.

Anything else I should be doing? I think this is pretty straight forward, but I wanted to brign this before the counsel so I'm not chasing down parts mid-installation.

Oh and twicks69, if you chime in, thank you for the help thus far.

Apart from swapping out injectors and pumps, I'm still a nOOb when it comes to the fuel system, so thanks in advance guys and gals.

 

[twicks69]

It is pretty easy overall. You are forgetting your fuel filters, preferably one before your fuel pump and one before the injectors. If you are only running a single external pump, you can just use -6AN line with a reducer fitting off the cell. Run a -6AN line for your return. You can also run a check valve after the pump to help with priming; check out ATL or any other fuel cell manufacturer for one.

For those power levels, you can pretty much use anything at or above a Walbro GS392 255LPH inline fuel pump. This is the cheapest option. Check out Jay Racing as well as www.inlinefuelpumps.com for pump ideas.


My setup is a bit crazier than others as well as riskier due to the multiple pump setup. I am running dual in-tank 255's with dual in-line 255's on essentially two seperate fuel systems each fueling a seperate rail. My setup is -6AN feed x2 with an in-line -6AN filter for each system on the firewall, then -6AN from each rail to the regulator and -8AN from the regulator to the cell. The primary system of 1x walbro 255 in-tank w/ 1x walbro 255 in-line on 1000cc injectors made 740AWHP on race gas; on 1350cc injectors it made 835AWHP with 88% duty cycles on race gas. This is essentially a 1000-1100HP fuel system depending on injectors. My secondary system utilizes the same pump configuration with 1650cc injectors and the pumps and injectors are controlled by my AEM to turn on based upon boost and/or duty cycle. Essentially, my primary and secondary system can handle around 2200-2300HP on gas efficiently, 1600HP on E85 and around 1300HP on E98 conservatively. I like overkill. .

For wiring of it, I am using a triple relay setup of 3x Signalstat 192 relays with 8-gauge power from battery to main relay, 8-gauge power from main relay to the second and third relay. I am using 10-gauge grounds for the relays and 8-gauge for all 4 fuel pumps (8-gauge grounds w/ 10-gauge power), 12-gauge signal wire for ignition switch, and 16-gauge for third relay ground wire as the AEM controls it by ground signal. The primary relay two signals turn on/off the second and third relays (87a and 87b), the second relay turn on/off the primary fuel system of one in-tank and one in-line pump, and the third relay turn on/off the secondary fuel system of one in-tank and one in-line fuel pump.

In this circumstance, you simply just need a standard 40A 1-signal (4-prong -- 30/85/86/87) relay, some 10-gauge power and ground, hook the relay up to the MPI relay or ignition switch for your signal wire and wire up your fuel pump power to the 87 prong. You can also use a simple plug-in pigtail so you don't have to use cheapo female blade connectors for everything; just solder and heat-shrink your connections.


Tim Zimmer via Evo Phone

 

[phunny]

I ran one in my rx-7 but I really dont see any sort of need with a 350hp goal. Not sure about your state but they don't pass inspection here.

 

[icemanracing]

i ran a 16 gallon cell i used 2 Bosch 044 fuel pumps I run -8 braided lines from the cell to the rail and -6 braided from the rail to the regulator and back to the fuel cell.
I needed the 2 pumps since i was running a lot more power than you are. so 1 of the bosch 044's would suit you just fine

 

[importracr317]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm going to run a cell for ease of draining (the car sits quite a bit unfortunately - when I took the tank out about 4 gallons of brown varnish came pouring out) and weight savings. At some point, I'd like to AutoX the car and take it to some open track days on a road course.

Good call on the additional filter and check valve Tim, I'll look into that. Regarding the pigtial, are you talking about the pigtail you can buy for the in-tank Walbro 255 FP?

 

[importracr317]

Ordered everything this AM. Went with an in-line Walbro 255 pump. Given the fact it will be external, if I decide to up my HP goals, it should be simple to swap out to a bigger pump.

Will post pics when installed.