Do I really need an electric fuel pump?

[Northwest]

I'm obviously pretty new here - just recently found this form and think the information and activity here is fabulous.

I've had a 71 b-body for years and am just now finally getting a 440 built for it.

My intent was to have something streetable, but also lots of power and torque, but I don't intend to race it.

My engine builder has finished up a 500 stroker motor that produces about 570 HP - which is plenty.

They say I need to run an electric fuel pump - and I didn't anticipate this, so I am now doing my research on this and am not sure I completely understand why. I am a bit hesitant since this is street and I don't want the noise, complexity and hassle to install this somewhere where it can't be seen.


The dyno sheets show me that it will be using 242 LBS of fuel per hour at WOT - so that seems to be just a 40 GPH requirement. This seems to be well within the capability of a mechanical pump. Is there something else I need to understand about this?

I read a number of threads on this and it seems to me that many of you think a mechanical pump would work fine on a street car like this.

Thanks!

 

[shag766]

a good friend of mine is an engine builder to the big boys and he swears by clay smith pumps. i have a motor he built for me at 823 hp.-737tq. running one of these pumps. he claims they are good up to 1200 hp.

 

[Ralph Cali]

I am running a 522 stroker with a mechanical hi po fuel pump with a 3/8" feul line.
Was getting well over what the carb could handle so i put a regulator in and I maintain 7 psi for street use only

 

[welder47]

I wouldnt waste my money on one, your mechanical pump is quite capable of emptying a full gas tank every half hour at full rpm. Are you really going to use two tanks of gas a hour with your car and who could even afford to drive at the cost of fuel if that was possible. If anything your going to need a fuel regulator to keep the flow under control, spend your money on one of those instead, way cheaper and your carb wont flood.

 

[WileE]

Answer: No.

 

[Northwest]

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[Meep-Meep]

The one advantage an electric pump will have over a mechanical is the lack of heat transfer from the block. Otherwise the mech should be just fine.

 

[kelly]

I'm thinking of using an electric blue holley on my 440 6 pack. The NEW carter pump does not work all the time.

 

[GetX'd]

I have a 494 stroker running 555 hp with a six pack. My mechanical pump works just fine.

 

[eric383]

I had a 383 with a stock mechanical pump with a Hughes hardened pushrod and a Comp Cam. What I thought was a fuel pump issue turned out to be a chewed up fuel pump pushrod. It was a new pushrod installed correctly, properly lubed and the oil used had zddp. I may never use a mechanical pump again after this issue. I installed a Carter electric pump and the only complaint with this pump is it is a little noisy even with the isolation kit. Good thing my exhaust is loud. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Shorthorse]

From kelly
"I'm thinking of using an electric blue holley on my 440 6 pack. The NEW carter pump does not work all the time."


Try to find out why the new pump is not working. I've said this many times but pumps like the Holley are for racing (short term use). If you have a street car, find a brand/model that advertises "continuous duty". Holley makes a real good racing pump for its price range but they get hot real fast and they are very loud unless you can do some creative mounting.

 

[Yatzee]

This post begs the question as to why people even bother with electric pumps at all. I think that's the real question here. As I see it, a mechanical pump works on pulsation and stalls the fuel when the bowls are full. I've never heard of anyone putting a return line on a mechanical pump so vapor lock seems to be their only draw back, especially when any type of heat is involved. I suppose that's why the manufacturer's kept the line so far away from any heat sources. Another issue that comes to mind is the fact that sucking fuel up the line seems to be worse than pushing fuel up the line. Loose fittings will allow air in the fuel which expands from heat and again air locks. On the other hand, leaks with electric pumps are as easy to detect as the smell of gas gives off. What you can get away with and what you should use in any instance is the choice all of make everytime we work on our beasts. Do what ever you think will work for you but I like the continuous flow, cooler fuel and even pressure that comes with electric pumps paired with a regulator and a return line for excess fuel.

 

[MT_Mopar]

This post begs the question as to why people even bother with electric pumps at all. I think that's the real question here.

Answer to question: My engine builder builds some of the baddest *** Mopar engines on the planet. I asked him what I should use for fuel delivery, he said: "electric pump", I said: "thank you sir for that information"

I like the continuous flow, cooler fuel and even pressure that comes with electric pumps paired with a regulator and a return line for excess fuel.

You got that right brother, that's one less thing to think about when your wondering about performance.

 

[coloradodave]

No, you don't need an electric pump for your street car. This mechanical pump from Carter has been around for years and will do the job without complicating your fuel system:

http://www.manciniracing.com/cabheen5psis.html

 

[383man]

As many have said you do not have to use an electric pump. Your eng builder may prefer the electric pump for certain reasons to him as some of us do. Some prefer mech pumps and some prefer electric pumps. For a mild street car either will work. Myself I like to race my car sometimes and I prefer the electric pump for certain reasons but the mech pump will work fine for you if you prefer it. It gets very hot where I live in the summer and thats one reason I prefer to push my fuel up to the carb with an electric pump rather then it being pulled up to the eng by a mech pump. Ron