Too MUCH lift pump?

[Blkdawdg]

I'm about to add a new lift pump to my truck and I'm curious as to if there is such a thing as TOO MUCH lift pump. I'm looking at a BG lift pump that does 400+gph @ 18 PSI. Would that be too much and would I have to do a lot of extra plumbing to get it to work?

 

[Blackdog]

From the info I've gathered, I was told to regulate the pump at no more than 15psi. I'm about to put a Holley on mine. I'll be sure to let everyone know how it turns out. Good Luck !!

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• 2001 Cummins, Black, QC, SWB, Agate Leather, Every Option Available
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• Cobra 29 Sound Tracker Night Watch CB

 

[Bigsaint]

I think that 400 GPH might be "slight" overkill #ad
My Mallory is set at 12 psi's and I was told, from a very reliable source, that much more than that would not be a good thing for the VP44.

Scott W.

[This message has been edited by Bigsaint (edited 03-08-2001). ]

 

[metal tech]

Before you spend big $$ for that BG 400 pump, you should know that most of those big pumps aren't meant for daily street use. I was reading about the Holley Volumax 160 & 250 pumps, the 250 is drag use only. The 160 has 2, 1/2" inlets and both must be able to get fuel. Scott mentioned his Mallory, (probably a Comp 140)140 GPH, preset for around 14 PSI, and good for daily use, good choice. Another member has a BG HR 220 pump, it's the same $$ as the Mallory with a bit more GPH. BTW, the Holley 160 is around $40 more than either the BG or Mallory. I hope some of this helps save you a dollar or 2.

AL

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01~3500QC,4X,Sport-Silver,eth~dee,3. 54,Line-X

 

[JB @ C and L Machine]

I agree with metal tech. . the BG 400 IS NOT a street pump... Its intended use is for Drag race only. JB

 

[Arcticat]

I'm going to put in a new pump soon. It seems like a great deal - Summit billet electric fuel pump, $99. 95, 140gph, 18psi. I'll turn it down to 14-15 once I get it in. I don't know the part# offhand but I'm pretty sure it's the only electric fuel pump Summit makes. If you have a catalog, it's on the same page as the holley reds and blues.

[This message has been edited by Arcticat (edited 03-08-2001). ]

 

[Blkdawdg]

Why can't I put a regulator on that pump? Then the psi wouldn't exceed 12 psi and I would still have enough flow to never worry about cooling of the pump. Also isn't there already a return line from the pump so would I need to install a second return line? This instructions on this pump say that it needs a return line.

 

[illflem]

Blkdemon,I think the problem with that much flow is that your fuel lines,filter etc. would all have to be enlarged to handle it. You could probably regulate the pressure down,but then the pump would be working against itself and might not last long. I think you would be better off with a pump more sized for the job at hand,the volume of the pump you're looking at seems like it's designed for a dragster that burns 4 gallons in a 1/4 mile run. The one you're looking at is about 6 gpm,seems I've read that our rigs need less than 1 gpm.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

One thing to think about...

Too much volume is a bad thing. This is because the VP44 uses diesel for cooling the internal parts. If you are pumping A LOT of volume, the fuel doesn't spend as much time in the tank cooling down before it returns to the injection pump. By selecting a lower GPH pump, you let the fuel cool down more.

 

[illflem]

Evan,you're right,but on the same note the fuel will spend less time in the VP44 getting warm,seems like it would equal out,don't you think?

 

[Blkdawdg]

Why would putting a regulator on a pump shorten its life? If they were so bad for pumps, then they wouldn't produce them and sell them in kits with other pumps. I've been thinking that replacing all of the fuel lines might not be a bad thing since I'm considering going to twins anyways. BTW, thanks for all of the replies.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Just a guess, but I think using too much lift pump would be too much volume for the fuel return lines. . . it may add enough pressure to force fuel back up into the cylinder head around the injector bleedoff/return lines--I doubt that would be good. Also it would put pressure on the injection pump return line, not allowing it to bleed off proberly and overpressure the system. Also plumbing a regulator return line that is used on a big pump into your truck's fuel return line would definitely be a problem for the above reasons.

Vaughn

 

[Blkdawdg]

I was going to install -10 AN line so that it would be the same size as the inlet/outlet of the pump. Would this be too big?

 

[metal tech]

it's not the regulator that kills big pumps, it's the heat from continued use. A BG 400, Magna Flow 500, Holley 500, ect are not cooled by the fuel flowing thru it, just the airflow around them. Electrical stuff will only get so hot before bad things happen. In contrast, certain high HP EFI pumps can be run on the street, the fuel flow thru them helps keep the electrics cool.

AL

 

[Mad Max]

If Overkill and Overspend are on the agenda...

here's a link to one of the BADDEST EFI pumps in Gasser Circles...
http://essexind.com/sx_page2.htm

FWIW

Max

 

[Blkdawdg]

I don't believe that overkill and overspend have anything to do with this! I just don't see the point in buying a lift pump that will accommodate anything that I decide to put on this truck. I'm not looking for bragging rights, I just don't want to ever have to come back and put on a new lift pump later.

 

[Blkdawdg]

After speaking with the seller and consulting BG's website, there is a step down box that will allow continuous use of the pump. It drops the voltage going to the pump @ low engine speeds so that it doesn't continuously run and burn itself up. The only problem is that I need a wide open throttle switch. Anyone know where one of those would be?

 

[Arcticat]

BLKDEMON, why bother spending the money on the BG400? It's WAY overkill for this application IMHO. A 140gph pump (Mallory 4150, Holley black, etc. ) will flow 2. 33 gallons per minute. Even if over half of that fuel gets used to cool the pump and returns to the tank, that still leaves you with a gallon of fuel per minute. I can go almost twenty miles on a gallon of fuel. Do you really think you will burn a gallon of fuel in a minute, even with the accelerator pushed through the firewall? If you still don't think that's enough, get the BG220. Surely we can agree that 3. 66 gallons of fuel per minute is enough, right? BTW, just trying to save you some money, not questioning your decision making ability or reasoning.

 

[Blkdawdg]

I think that I am going to go with the BG220, (1) because you guys helped me out with my decision, (2) because I'm still getting 220 gph @ 15 psi, and (3) it saves me some money and the hassle of trying to hook it up. Thanks again for all of the help guys.

 

[illflem]

15 mpg @ 75 mph = 5 ga/hr = 215 ga/hr return for cooling and future bombing,I think that's a better number and has plenty of room for play. Good choice BLKDEMON!!