Fuel pump...

**98maro** · 10-29-2012, 05:11 PM

So the fuel pump on my car went out, the oem replacement is very expensive,
I found some walbro pumps for $200 or so that have to be modified to fit in the gas tank.
What's the pros & cons on those pumps??

**silverWS6** · 10-29-2012, 05:40 PM

Pro is it is better all around, and con is that I hear some of them are real loud

**98maro** · 10-29-2012, 05:47 PM

thanks..
its also way cheaper than stock pump..
anoying loud??

also i might do the trap door mod. bc dropping the rear end is way to much work!!

any issues i could have with the trap door?? i mean water in the car, or anything.. maybe road noise?

**ls1camino** · 10-29-2012, 06:54 PM

I've got a Racetronix fuel pump that was in my car for about 1000 miles. I'm upgrading to a Fuel Cell and external pump. I'm selling it and the hotwire kit for $175 shipped. It is good for 550rwhp. Let me know if you're interested.

PS: Cutting a hole in the hatch is awesome, as long as you cut it in the right place.

**silverWS6** · 10-29-2012, 07:07 PM

And seal it up right or else I would think you might get some fumes in the car

**ls1camino** · 10-29-2012, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by silverWS6

And seal it up right or else I would think you might get some fumes in the car

Put it back in place with some aluminum tape and you'll be fine.

**JayTA98** · 10-31-2012, 01:52 PM

I have the racetronix kit and it still working fine. I have it for like a year now. It started to whine when you drive the car for a while. Racetronix told me that it is normal. I did cut the panel and aluminum tape will work. I actually put a piece of aluminum panel and seal it with silicone. Its not bad to remove in the future if something happens.

Which ever pump you decide to install make sure you inspect it and check the fuel tube. After I installed mine I found out there was a small hole in it. I had to pull everything out again...

**RedFenix_68** · 11-01-2012, 03:48 PM

The only real con i hear about any of those is the fuel load is off from the original, like the guage reading. Anything below a 1/4 will not read accurate...however who knows, lol and who cares hahaha

**Firebirdjones** · 11-01-2012, 04:03 PM

I just went through this. The 99 and up F-bodies have a pump that is encased in a plastic container and a feeder hose that keeps that container full of fuel at all times. This container also doubles as your fuel gauge sending unit.

So You have 2 choices on the 99 and up F-bodies.

1) You can either go with a factory pump which comes complete with this plastic container and fuel gauge sending unit (which is why it costs $500-$700)

2) Go with the Racetronix kit that comes only with a pump and has the correct feeder hose needed to keep the bucket full, and install this in your factory bucket.

All of your aftermarket Walbro in tank pumps don't have this feeder hose setup and won't work properly inside the bucket. It's important to keep that bucket full of fuel at all times, the pumps longevity depends on it.

The Racetronix pump is actually a walbro pump that is modified with this necessary feeder valve. The pump runs about $150 from various suppliers.

Mine is extremely quiet, even more so than the factory pump was. I can't even hear the darn thing when I'm sitting in the driver seat and turn on the key. I have to be standing behind the car and have my wife turn the key, then I can hear a faint pump noise. Then once the engine is running the pump noise is non existent, can't hear squat over the exhaust noise

So far 8,000 miles in about 2 months and still works like a charm.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 11-01-2012, 05:16 PM

I did the same thing as FBJ. I've had my Racetronix pump set-up for 2 years now. No issues and it's quiet. I'd say I have about 13,000 miles on it.

**ls1camino** · 11-01-2012, 05:31 PM

I maxed out my Racetronix

It will be in Jeff's car now, along with my Katech Tensioner.

**JayTA98** · 11-02-2012, 11:02 AM

maybe that explains why mine is making noise... i have a 98. Mine probably has about 30k. Mine makes noises after it gets warm i guess.

**Firebirdjones** · 11-02-2012, 11:20 AM

98's didn't use the bucket setup. I'd say some noise is normal, and as they get warm they will make more noise, but an in tank pump should be soaked in fuel and keep it cool enough.

It's the external pumps where heat is an issue, and their life span is rather short in comparison because of this issue. If you go external, I'd recommend a rebuildable unit, because you'll be taking it apart for a rebuild about every 15-20,000 miles, or even less if you idle around alot.

Not to mention, if you hate the noise your intank pump is making, wait till you put an external on there

**98maro** · 11-05-2012, 06:12 PM

Thanks for the replies. And thank u fbjones for the great info.

Ls1camino, if I decide to buy it used I let u know.

So I decided to go with walbro, not really mind bout the noise. The rear end is loud enough!
Once the fuel pump is fixed I will post my car for sale.

So looking at the kits. This is what I found.
It's bout $150 with one of the sponsors here.
What else do I need?
Pic

**ls1camino** · 11-05-2012, 07:10 PM

Hotwire kit.

**98maro** · 11-05-2012, 10:03 PM

I'm new to this stuff. I don't know much bout it.
You guys are the pros at this!
Is it really necessary to buy the kit?

**ls1camino** · 11-06-2012, 04:31 AM

The hotwire kit gives more power to the pump and spins it faster. Faster = more fuel volume = higher supported hp. I'm not sure what the hp limit is on the Racetronix without the hotwire, but I know WITH the hotwire it is around 550 (I just started to max mine out with 540) in my 427ci.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 11-06-2012, 04:39 AM

Originally Posted by ls1camino

The hotwire kit gives more power to the pump and spins it faster. Faster = more fuel volume = higher supported hp. I'm not sure what the hp limit is on the Racetronix without the hotwire, but I know WITH the hotwire it is around 550 (I just started to max mine out with 540) in my 427ci.

I should have went with dual pumps. I will need to add another with my future plans.

**Firebirdjones** · 11-06-2012, 06:36 AM

Originally Posted by 98maro

Thanks for the replies. And thank u fbjones for the great info.

Ls1camino, if I decide to buy it used I let u know.

So I decided to go with walbro, not really mind bout the noise. The rear end is loud enough!
Once the fuel pump is fixed I will post my car for sale.

So looking at the kits. This is what I found.
It's bout $150 with one of the sponsors here.
What else do I need?
Pic

That is really all you need for now. $150 gets you everything in that picture and is specifically made for the bucket system in the 99 and up Fbodies. This is exactly what I'm running and now have a rock solid 60 psi fuel pressure (was hovering around 54-56 psi before the swap).

As is, the pump is capable of supporting about 650 flywheel HP or somewhere around 500 RWHP but that will vary depending on the fuel pressure used and some other variables. Most of them rate their pump flow rates at 43 psi. so keep that in mind.

I didn't go for the hotwire kit at this time because for my needs it isn't necessary (yet). When the new engine goes in I'll do the hotwire kit at that time.

**TransAmX2** · 11-13-2012, 11:21 AM

I swapped out the pump in my '98 TA a few years ago, did the trap door mod and the only issue I have is the occasional exhaust fume smell in the passenger compartment while sitting in traffic, I really do need to seal that back up someday.