Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) need help making a decision

[WEggart]

I have a 99 and the lift pump killed my injector pump. Yeah I'm ****** but I will get over it, I just need to get this thing going again. I have an Edge EZ box on it but the rest is stock. I am happy with the performance so I don't anticipate anymore performance upgrades. My question is this: Do I spend the extra money, which I don't have, and go with the RASP system? or Do I save a little money and go with the FASS system? I have read many threads on the RASP but I am still not sold that all of the extra work and money (remember I still have to buy a lift pump with the RASP) is worth it. If there is anyone who can convince me the FASS is a failed system too then I will go with the RASP. Another point; the RASP doesn't have very many miles on it yet to prove it is trouble free.

 

[B.G. Smith]

I am not familiar with the RASP or FASS and am certaily no expert in this field but I have serious doubts that a lift pump failure will kill the VP. A lift pump failure and a restricted fuel filter might under certain conditions cause harm to the VP. I have 107,000 miles on mine and the VP is still going strong, I had one lift pump failure at about 75,000 miles. The truck was still running without the lift pump working and quiet well. You can't really run the VP out of fuel as the truck will quit first, unless you were coming down a lond grade and lost fuel then you could run dry if you are able to keep the engine turning. Just my thoughts. bg

 

[wcjp]

Didn't Fass come out with a new model? I think it uses your stock filter assembly but has the high flow of the regular Fass. I read somewhere it costs about half ($300). Being a 12v guy I don't know the specifics.

 

[PRyker]

I think what you will get mostly in the way of replies is people who like the FASS because they are running it or the RASP because it is in their truck. I do not believe there are a lot who have tried both. I have had my FASS in for... hmmm... well over 15,000 miles now? (maybe a lot more?) and it has been trouble free. Always maintain 14 - 15 PSI of fuel. The truck idles smooth and I really have no reason to go through the headache of installing the RASP system. I would buy the FASS again.



I live in Maryland and have no need for a fuel heater so have completely bypassed the stock filter. The only thing I did different is wire the hot leads for the FASS directly to the battery and trigger it with the supplied relay. I did not use the stock power leads.



The fass is tucked up far enough on the frame that I would never worry about anything hitting it and I like the ability to easily change the fuel filter from underneath the truck.



As I said, others will tell you RASP is better because it is mechanical but for my money the FASS is fine and will last a long time. The thing is heavy duty.



good luck



Phil

 

[pharlacher]

I agree with Phil and here is my input.



With the exception of noise the FASS has been great on my truck. I have over 30,000 miles on it. Steady fuel pressure of 14 to 15 and no problems. I also got the wiring harness with the relay in it. However, I think they come with the FASS now.



Paul



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[WEggart]

thanks for all the information

I have done quite a bit of research now and I think I am going to go with the filterless FASS as I am a bit concerned with cold weather. In addition to the FASS, I am going to increase my fuel line fittings with a kit from RIP. I wish I could afford the RASP but I can't and I don't have the time to put that one on either.



Anybody got any good deals on a VP44?

 

[master1578]

I'm wondering if you've given any thought to just adding the pusher pump back by the tank. I'm in about the same boat as you in that I probably won't be adding too much more in the way of performance. People seem to be having great success with the extra pump. Seems like a reasonable expense for what our level of performance requires



just my . 02

 

[WEggart]

You mean keeping the stock lift pump and adding the FASS pump back by the tank? That might work just fine. Another thing I am looking into is the fuel tank module, I guess this is another place for restriction/problems. I am still not sold that the FASS is the way to go, have you read anything on the RASP?

 

[master1578]

If you do a search for "pusher pump" you'll find alot of info on what I'm talking about, and in alot greater detail than I can give you. Basically, It doesn't have anything to do with the FASS. It's just adding another lift pump by the tank to make life easier on the stock pump, thus prolonging the life of the stock lift pump. I've been reading about both the FASS and RASP on the site here. Although some may disagree, I don't feel I need those systems for my situation. My primary concern is vp44 longevity and sufficient fuel supply for my modifications. The pusher seems to meet those needs so I think that's what I'm going to use. If for nothing else but peace of mind.

 

[Supermod56]

I like the RASP the best out of the 3, FASS, RASP, and Air Dog, but the cost of the RASP with all the plumbing you need is almost a grand, so I am getting the new FASS pump, as I want to keep the stock filter/heater assembly. And I am tossing the stock screen in the tank at the same time

Tom

 

[WEggart]

I have read so many things on the FASS & Air Dog now that I am confused as to what to do. It seems like the FASS is a great system but many of the people using it are reporting hard starting problems related to air and it appears that maybe that is due to restrictions in the fuel tank module. But how can restrictions introduce air, by cavitation? Another thing that confuses me is that the FASS is suppose to remove air, so why are there air problems then? It would only make since if the air separator is located before the pump and with restrictions in the fuel module, then maybe the air is showing up by cavitation in the pump because of those restrictions, I don't know all of those specifics with the FASS. Is the pump before or after the air separator? Another thing that bothers me is that the Air Dog manufacturer claims the FASS has design flaws that prevent it from removing all of the air. So is the FASS system flawed or is it cavitating because of a flawed fuel tank module? If it is the latter then does anyone have a product that will solve the fuel tank module problem or some simple step by step directions so I can fix it?

 

[Supermod56]

From what I have read, the issues with the FASS are directly related to the restriction in the tank, and I would bet money that the module doesn't do the stock LP any good either. I thought about just taking the module out and using a in-line filter with the stock LP, but the pump needs to be close to the source of the fuel for best performance. So in goes the non-filtered FASS pump. The FASSvsAir Dog issue goes back to these guys used to work together, and now they're competitors, you get the idea. The guys I have talked to say the FASS is great as long as you toss the in-tank module. The FASS owners will have to chime in on whether the air separator is before or after the pump, I would assume it's after the pump.

Tom