Replacing a fuel pump entails, first and foremost, acquiring what it takes to figure out how much fuel is needed based on the power a motor produces. Your well built fuel pump is designed to deliver from-like focused on the activity at hand 200-300 liters per hour (LPH) into a stock engine generally making up to 400 horsepower. In high-performance applications where say, a 600-800 horsepower output is needed from a turbocharged engine you'll also need a high-flow fuel pump, delivering 340 to well over 450 LPH of fuel to sustain correct fuel pressure. An engine with, say, 750 horsepower could make use of many different returnless pumps, like a Walbro 450 LPH pump.
The proper fuel pump also demands awareness of pressure prerequisites when it comes to gasoline. Even modern, electronically fuel injected engines typically fall in the 40-60 psi range, though heavily modified or blown engines might need pumps supporting as much as 70-100 psi of fuel delivery. Pumping more fuel than your engine needs strains the pump, and Starkey cautions that upgrading the pump to a larger capacity but not matching it to the pressure requirements of the engine can result in fuel starvation or over-fueling, both of which will degrade performance. In a high-boost application, such as that mighty GT-R above with its heavily breathed-on engine, your passenger most definitely benefits from your choice to upgrade to a high-pressure fuel pump--it makes certain the guts of the motor are well-fed enough not to suffer detonation under high boost levels.
Secondly, the fuel lines should also be considered for an upgrade. Typical 200-300 LPH flow rates that the standard fuel lines in most vehicles are designed to handle. On the other hand, if you go to a high-performance pump rated at 400 LPH or more, sometimes it's necessary to bump up the fuel line diameter to 3/8 inch or larger to avoid starving the rest of your fuel system. This can be highly imperative in high horsepower builds where fuel flow needs to be consistent.
With that you can add a fuel pressure regulator to then dial in the overall fuel system based on how much more your new top-side pump is providing. This ensures that the fuel pressure is stable at idle and wide-open throttle, regardless of load or engine speed. In a performance car, using a fuel pressure regulator set to 55 psi is an advantage, by helping the optimum air-fuel ratio with efficiency and without going lean that can result in destroyed engine. These injectors are required to regulate fuel traffic through their caps, and if the controls do not work as they should, even a high-flow pump can lead to controversial outcomes particularly at higher RPMs when fuel demand is greater.
Must have right voltage for higher performance fuel pumps. High performance pumps work best under these conditions: 12-14 volts. By installing a fuel pump voltage booster, the sustained voltage can be retained keeping the pump performing as designed under heavy load. For example, you can pick up to 20% loss of flow rate in the pump from voltage drops alone which cause fuel pressure issues and a decline in performance. This voltage booster guarantees the pump reaches full capacity when needed, maintaining maximum engine performance.
Calculating the cost prior to the installation is a must. Fuel pumps can vary by $200-400 for the pump itself depending on brand and flow rate. In-tank pump installations, which frequently require fuel tank removal, can also add up to another $200-300 in labor costs. A Ford Mustang upgrade is a good example, it was $600-700 all in with parts and labor.
While these user-controlled regulators may be dial-able for tuning, the rest of the fuel system must be able to support increased flow. Existing fuel injectors and fuel pressure regulator(s) as well as lines may also need to be upgraded in order for the new pump to perform at its peak level. If these attributes are forgotten about it might cause a fuel distribution discrepancy which is defeated the reason you would set up an aftermarket pump for in the very first area.
To learn more on how to choose the appropriate Fuel Pump for your vehicle configuration, click here to see what options are available to meet your performance needs.