Relocated the fuel filter, halfway between pump and rail...Comments?

[BREW]

I was overhauling my fuel system, ran the lines from the pump to the OEM filter location when I realized that I couldn't mount my Earl's inline filter anywhere in the engine bay. At least no way that I liked. So I decided to go back under the car to where I ran the feed line and spliced it for the inline filter. Now it's mounted under the car about halfway between the pump and the rail. It will make changing the filter much easier, save some room in the engine bay (albeit little, its still room), and cut down on looping the fuel lines around the engine which in turn shortens up the the total length the fuel must travel (I know it's insignificant but true nonetheless). Someone tell me why this is not a wise decision. I can't think of any reason why it shouldn't be done.

Brew

 

[Defiant]

The fuel's a fluid, and it doens't much care how far it travels. But the only possible drawback might be having the filter suceptible to road damage, or that the filter's so much smaller than the factory unit.

 

[BREW]

Yes, road damage that was the drawback I saw to this. However, the filter is encased in a billet casing that looks to be able to withstand any rocks or debris from the road. I was able to mount it so that any speed bumb encountered won't be a problem.

If you or anyone can think of any other drawbacks to this system please let me know.

Thank You,

Brew

 

[myblack98gst]

I can only think of one drawback. The use of the Earls filter.

I had one on my car for maybe 20,000 miles. And recently it started running lean and it sounded like fuel was backwashing into the tank. so I pulled the sending unit up a tiny amount with it running and fuel was going everywhere but into the lines in seemed. At first thought I assumed the O-ring was messed up so I replaced it and it still happened. So I bought a new pump, still does it. okay now I am pissed so I modified the sending unit so that a piece of fuel line connects the pump to the pickup (betterseal) and it STILL DOES IT. Now I am MAD and confused. so I take the sending unit out and sit in in a bucket of water with a battery hooked to it. and there is no leak with no pressure but if I blocked the output off it was shooting out the by pass valve built into the pump.. So finally I am getting somewhere restriction in the fuel system. So I started taking everything out when I got to the filter I couldn't hardly blow through it. as a temp attempt I took the element out and reinstalled it turned on the pump wallah no more fuel puking.



Moral:
20k miles earls filter clogged to the point of no return but the element did not look dirty.

 

[BREW]

Right on, I was expecting the Earls filter, just like any other filter, to clog after long term use. However having the filter under the car makes changing it a whole lot easier then crawling and reaching around the engine. Which like I stated earlier, is a benefit of this setup. Soon as I get the chance I'll Load some pictures to show anyone interested how it looks.

Brew

 

[Spartan302]

How small is that earls filter? My sx filter fit perfectly where the stock filter was:

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Also just realized you have a 2g so i'm guessing its in a different place.

Did you use teflon tape or past when putting your fuel lines back on. Any comments on that. I have my fuel lines just there, not tightened. Just curious if teflon paste or tape is needed or not?