Please Recommend Fuel System Upgrades!

[turbonatr]

I am looking for some upgrade recommendations for my 04. 5's fuel system. With only the mods in my signature, my Juice drains the fuel rail before 60mph on level 6 (hot). It doesn't drain as quickly on level 5, but it does end up draining the rail probably around the 1/4 mile mark. I do plan on modding the truck further (turbo, a stack of some kind on top of the Juice and probably injectors), but all that has to wait until the fuel system is up to the task. The truck is a daily driver as well as a tow vehicle on weekends during racing season (26' double axle box trailer, 3000lb. race car) so reliability is extremely important (isn't it always?).



Before the fuel system I plan on upgrading the trans with a converter, input shaft and VB, but right after that I plan on tackling the fuel system. I'd ultimately like to see the truck in the 13's, maybe even tickle the 12's (again, this is my daily driver and I like to have fun while I commute). So, I want to do the fuel system right the first time and not worry about outgrowing it in the future.



Can you guys offer me some fuel system recommendations?

 

[HOBrian]

I would go with either an Air Dog 150 or a FASS 150 both are great systems and will allow you to run 3 micron filters. I have and Air Dog 100 so I would say Air Dog all the way. Oo.

 

[steved]

I have one question, mainly since I'm not into these mods...



If he is draining the rail, isn't that a sign the CP3 is unable to keep up? Would that not mean he needs to mod the CP3?? He may not have a low pressure fuel issue...



I guess I don't understand how adding more fuel downstream (without knowing THAT condition is starving the CP3) is going to affect things if the CP3 is the bottleneck...

 

[Missouri Mule]

I agree with steved that a modded CP3/double CP3 is in order. Unless experience says other wise.

 

[JDiepstra]

Turbonatr, how is your 48RE holding up with the hot unlock? I am scared to turn mine up to level 4, much less 5, after what I have read about the infamous Dodge torque converters on this site.

 

[turbonatr]

So far, so good with the 48RE. I now have a Striker 2 stacked on the HOT Juice. I leave the Juice on #3 and Striker 2 on #5 (about 120 additional HP) . Now with the Striker, if I squeeze on the throttle with the converter locked up in OD with the Juice on #4, #5 or #6, it slips the converter so badly the Attitude lock up display reads "N/A" because it thinks the converter is unlocked.



A converter, VB and billet input shaft is badly needed with this much additional power. Apparently, fuel system upgrades are needed, too!:-laf

 

[HOBrian]

I have one question, mainly since I'm not into these mods...



I guess I don't understand how adding more fuel downstream (without knowing THAT condition is starving the CP3) is going to affect things if the CP3 is the bottleneck...

I was thinking (bad idea I know) that if his LP was starving the CP3 causing not enough fuel for the rail.

 

[turbonatr]

That was actually my impression, too. I have read that the stock CP3 can handle up to 600hp. I am no where near that at this point, so my first thought was my LP was the weak link in the fuel system. The CP3 is only going to supply as much fuel as the LP feeds it.



I have decided to go with the AirDog 150 and ditch the stock LP.

 

[raychem]

steved to answer your question:



Volume, Volume, Volume. That stock lift pump can not keep up with the demand for our trucks. And as you go adding fueling boxes or Downloaders the fuel requirements are even greater. You will be amazed as to how even stock trucks respond to a fuel system upgrade. On all the trucks I have done they run quieter and smoother. The CP3 is a vary capable pump but you have to feed it. Also fuel pressure, while it plays a part is not as important as volume to these pumps is.



turbonatr to answer your questions:



Yes the stock CP3 can support up to 600 hp but it takes some tuning and configurations(boxes and d/l's) to get there. You will still have RP problems and how the truck is set-up is crutial. Figure that 550 hp is a more realistic figure. Also realistic figures for stock injectors are 525-570 hp and it varies by truck. So you know there are trucks that have hit 600hp and a bit more on stock sticks but there 1 in 10. Every truck is different.



Do you have a RP gauge on your truck? Very important tool when you modding it. You should be aiming for 25k rail pressure at WOT. If it falls below 22k your pump is not keeping up. With my configuration right now, at WOT I barley stay above 12K at wot and thats with a Stage 2 CP3. I keep selling my Dual cp3 kits. . LOL



On the trans front. Full rebuild period. A tc,vb, and input shaft would be band aids. It will give you peace of mind when towing to your races.





Good choice on the airdog 150, thats what I run and I have used serveral fuel systems in my truck. If you need anything, shoot me a PM.



RIchard

 

[turbonatr]

I don't have a RP gauge, but I definately need one. Can you recommend one?



I have read in the latest TDR magazine that the stock lift pump will support 375-400rwhp. Since I'm draining the rail, I'm assuming my truck is making in excess of that. Do you have a guess on what my truck is making power wise given my mods (in sig line)? The truck noses over at around 60mph (even a little before) with the Juice on the hot level 6 and the Striker 2 on level 5. That's not the Juice defueling, it's gotta be draining the rail because it does it if I turn the defueling option off. Even with the truck falling on it's face, it did a best of 5. 8 seconds 0-60 with the converter slipping away.



I agree I need a full-blown trans. That is going to have to wait for a while as I'm on a budget. I'm hoping the converter, VB and input shaft will extend the life of the trans for a while.

 

[231jasonS]

for refference with my stock lift pump juice on HOT, exhaust, intake TC &VB I dynoed at 459... . running out of fuel for sure.



Havent been back on dyno since the Air dog, but it feels better. I can still see the rail drain down below 21K on a level 6 wide open run down the freeway with the AD. I think a CP3 upgrade may also be in my future.

 

[turbonatr]

Thanks for the point of reference, Jason. The Striker 2 is supposed to be worth 65rwhp on level 5. Now, I don't know if it actually lives up to that claim, but you can DEFINATELY notice an increase in power with it on top of the Juice. With the Juice on the stock setting and the Striker 2 on 5, it feels like the Juice did on 3 before the Striker 2 was added. Since level 3 is supposed to be 60hp on the Juice, I would say the Striker comes at least close to it's claims. I also just ordered a GDP intake horn which has been dynoed to deliver 15-20hp/30ft/bs in the 3-3300rpm range and 52hp/136ft/bs at 2000rpm.



I would guess the truck, as it sits, is in the 460rwhp range, maybe a tad more with the Striker 2? Either way, the stock lift pump isn't cutting it.



How much torque did you make?

 

[231jasonS]

I think it was 986, ill see if i can find the sheet.



It ran a 13. 8 in the quarter, which shocked the heck out of me.