Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Stock Lift Pump plus Carter 4601(8psi)

[jjohn]

Actually that number would be 7 psi and that is while cranking. You will get full fuel pressure when you turn the key on and it will bleed off to 0 after the pump shuts down (which depends on the model but is usually around 2-5 seconds). When I researched adding a pusher pump to my fuel system I talked with Cummins and Dodge engineers and both said 22 psi would be no problem (which is what my system runs at). I have been running at 22 psi for 85,000 miles now as have a number of other people on here. I know of no instance of anyone having a failed VP44 due to high fuel pressure on here as of yet.

While at the “Bosch” shop in Denver (Central Motive Power) getting my VP44 replaced. I asked the same question about the pusher causing to high of pressure and that I had heard of a “internal diaphragm” the could be damaged from the pressure. The shop manager assured me at the time it would not be an issue adding the pusher pump.



I ran with the conventional pusher pump configuration for twenty thousand miles or so before reinventing the wheel again…. “just because I can’t quit messing with things”.



I still run both Carter pumps, a 4601 15psi/100gph on the frame rail in front of the tank and a 4600 7psi/100gph in the factory location on a parallel circuit with a check valve. The 4600 is a peaking pump activated by a Hobbs pressure switch.



I have read many opinions on this subject, one being the higher pressure creates excess heat and heat is the enemy of the VP44 for example. I know for sure low pressure in the enemy of the VP44. There sure are a lot of people having good luck with pushers for a long time now’. There are the guys adding regulators and I’m sure that works well also.



I also would like to know if anyone has had a definitive failure (rather than opinion) due to 20-22 PSI pressure.

 

[NWhitney]

My New LP Setup

Ok so after a fair amount of people replied to this poll I decided that this is the way I wanted to go. My LP was almost dead so I needed a new main LP before I could add the pusher. So off the Jegs I went and a got a Carter 4601HP 18psi Lift Pump. Looks just like my stock LP, but has 3/8" fittings not 12mm. So I also bought (2) 3/8" NPT X 3/8" 90* hose barb fittings and some 3/8" rubber fuel line.



Started by trashing my Stock LP and setting in on the table and comparing it to the new one. The only difference that I could find was the wiring and the screen inside on the new LP is smaller than the old one. Next I tackled the mount for the LP. The new LP came with a nice little bracket and 3 rubber isolators. Funny the only one did not have those and I kinda liked them to off came the stock bracket and I drilled the holes out to 1/2" and inserted the rubber isolators.



Stock Bracket back on the truck I took the old inlet the the pump and cut the hard fuel line right before the banjo and removed the little brace bracket. I then flared the hard line just a little so the 3/8" fuel line would not slide off and clamped the line to the hose and hose to the 3/8" inlet barb to the pump. YEAH fuel to pump!!



The outlet is a little harder... . I left the stock barb and banjo going into the fuel filter. This is a 5/16" line. I put new 5/16" rubber fuel line on here and pushed it over the 3/8" barb out of the new LP. Next was some chop and splice on the wire with some shrink tight conections and I was in business.



Total cost

Lift Pump from Jeg's $89. 99, (2) 3/8" NPT X 3/8" 90* hose barb fittings $8. 99 each, 3/8" fuel line (1 foot) $1. 01, 5/16" fuel line (1 foot) $1. 01

Total Cost: $109. 97

Cummins Price: $155

Mopar Price: #370



Pusher Pump goes in when I get a filter and it rains so I am not in the field

 

[Graphic man]

only a few people said what there FP pressure was after the install, can anyone list what they had? Idle, Cruz, and at WOT.

and if it is too high a PF reg. sounds like a good idea





Scott

 

[jjohn]

only a few people said what there FP pressure was after the install, can anyone list what they had? Idle, Cruz, and at WOT.

and if it is too high a PF reg. sounds like a good idea





Scott

Idle =14

Cruse= 11-12

WOT=16-17 (A pressure switch kicks on my 4600 at or above 17lbs of boost. Shut off below 17lbs boost. I never get below 11psi)



I haven't hit this setup on a 5x5 hard pull yet so it might go a couple PSI lower WOT.

EDIT: I tryed 5x5 today, pulls down to 14PSI.

 

[KTobin]

Graphic man, No one has run a clinical trial. There are many variables. New pusher with old stock Lp versus new stock Lp. Pusher with or without bypass, bypass check valve or no bypass check valve. Prefilter or no prefilter. Everything I have mentioned will play a roll in your final PSI at the VP44. Let me say that I have a brand new stock LP with a brand new Carter 4600 pusher and a brand new Stanadyne FM100 series prefilter all installed at the same time that I installed a new stock fuel filter. This is as close to clinical as I think you can get with a 2 year old truck. My pressures are, 21psi @idle, 16psi @60mph and 12psi @WOT. However, if the engine is cold, I have 19 @ idle, 15 @ 60mph and 8 @WOT. Hope this helps



Kevin

 

[NWhitney]

Stanadyne FM100

MAX A/C, KennethJohnson,

Here is the Part Numbers and info on the Stanadyne FM100 Fuel Filters that many guys are using on their systems.



Stanadyne Part Number #33640 includes:

(1) Filter head with (2) 3/8" NPTF inlets and (2) 3/8" NPTF outlets.

(1) 150 Micron Filter/water sep.

(1) Clear bowl assmb. with water draining petcock

Price from Reliable Industries $48. 85



Assmb. can be purchased with out the clear bowl if wanted.



Replacement Filters are part number 33169 (30K miles per filter) $10. 49



Here is the link to Reliable http://www.reliableindustries.com/catalog/STN/fm100.php?show=complete

Phone Number 1. 800. 693. 4583



And Stanadyne

http://www.stanadyne.com/new/ppt/ppt_dffs.asp

 

[KennethJohnson]

NWhitney, Thank you very much for your reply and info. Can't wait til mine shows up. Got the lp here waiting for the filter.

Ken

 

[KTobin]

given that there is a 50 micron filter in the stock tank, I run a 30 micron prefilter to my pusher. I think the 150 micron prefilter would be redundant.



Kevin

 

[NWhitney]

"pre" filter

My thought on a 150 Micron filters is to (1) take out as much water as it can, and I am going to remove the "I love to plug" Screen in the tank and this will be the first filter.

 

[NWhitney]

50 Micron? Screen

Does any one who has taken the tank module apart know if the screen is a 50 MESH screen or a 50 micron screen. 50 Micron seems to be a little small... . paper filter vs. a metal screen that is never replaced. If the screen is a 50 mesh screen will it ever plug unless I get a bad load of fuel with green gook or something like that in it? Maybe I will just leave that screen in the tank and then add my 150 MICRON filter after it and before the pusher. Thanks for everyone's help... I hope alot of people are learning from this post.

 

[mhenon]

Actually that number would be 7 psi and that is while cranking. You will get full fuel pressure when you turn the key on and it will bleed off to 0 after the pump shuts down (which depends on the model but is usually around 2-5 seconds). When I researched adding a pusher pump to my fuel system I talked with Cummins and Dodge engineers and both said 22 psi would be no problem (which is what my system runs at). I have been running at 22 psi for 85,000 miles now as have a number of other people on here. I know of no instance of anyone having a failed VP44 due to high fuel pressure on here as of yet.

Steve, Doesn't the VP44 by-pass anything over 15psi. What's the sense in going past this point... seems like you would be constantly by-passing fuel... . or is that a good thing?

Mike

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I'm not sure whether it's actually bypassing above 15 psi or not but you are always bypassing some fuel no matter what for cooling purposes - a minimum of 70% of the fuel delivered to the VP44 is supposed to be returned to the tank for cooling. I don't think there's any particular advantage to going over 15 psi. It's a matter of convenience - by retaining the stock pump there are no lines, fittings, etc that need to be replaced. By adding the 7 psi pusher back at the tank (simply splices into the lines) the life of my main pump has been DRAMATICALLY increased (over 12 fold).