VE lifespan?

["Mad Max"]

So I have a local shop telling me that a VE is good for about 150k miles and after that needs a replacement or rebuild. Well, I gots 220k miles on my stocker and it runs fine - could make more power sure, but runs fine - no hickups save for the occaisonal no-wanna-start-solenoid-thing.



So, keep the original VE or look into spending the $800 for a rebuilt one w/ mods. I really want to do it myself but just haven't got that far yet, plus I want to control the mods. The shop is also saying that the pump needs to really be calibrated to do what it can really do..... buuuuut I haven't read anything about that in here. If it's dying anyway then maybe I should get a new one. Haven't read much in here about the pump internals dying either, so there it is. Thoughts?

- Sambo

 

[KBalzuweit]

Had one w/ 500k on it and sold it. As far as I know it now has 650++ on it and is all original. I like the idea of if its not broke, don't fix it. Karl

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Had to rebuild mine with 120k on it, the truck would run but not so good. The shop told me that a spring had broke inside, probably a two dollar part but cost me $500 back in 99 for a complete rebuild.

 

[dpuckett]

I was talking to Danny Brickell at Bootheel diesel a few years back, and he said he's seen VEs crap out at <50K; and others go 500K+. I say if it aint broke, dont fix it. Mine has 250K; 200+ of which it has been turned up to its current level- Full power screw about 2 turns past lockcollar meeting the jambnut. Starts and runs fine; gets in high teens/ low 20s, puts out 28Psi through a PDR HX35-*18*. Idles a little fast, but it could be just louder because of the tunred up fuelling. YOu can do what you want, but it sounds like your pump is just fine.



As for the calibration, it is true to a point. (nascar mark will probably flame me on this). From my own experience, and what I've read here, the calibration will give you numbers, but tuning and tweaking by us shadetrees will give you mpg, bottom end, top end, etc, and running how YOU like it. I'd get at least a second opinion.

DAniel

 

[nascar mark]

Daniel,



The only one you have to worry about is Paster Bob and his holly stick. Might beat you silly and take 10hp away from you.

 

["Mad Max"]

no broke - no fix

Thanks fellas - I like the 'no brokey, no fixey' theory. 'Course, all kinds of things can happen at PDR's dyno day in Sept, so I think I'll just wait until then to get serious about the pump. It's running great and the mileage is good, so I'll hang out for a bit. I'll tell you though, the 98 seats I just installed make the rig feel completely different, for the better.

Now I gotta go tear apart my 71 Demon to prep for road racin' next month anyway, so this will give me a good diversion.



Bueno, thanks again gearheads.

- Sam