Fuel regulator opinions

[ss dave]

Looking for opinions on the best fuel regulator.
I have a parallel set-up with a Bosch 330 pump into an LS7.
Currently I'm using a Weldon regulator.

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Are you having issues, or do you just want to know what the best option is?

[ss dave]

At 3/4 throttle I'll see a drop from 58psi to 52-53 briefly.
A 4-5 drop at WOT can sometimes be expected but I would prefer a 0psi drop like when I ran a A1000.

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I wonder if it's the pump. Maybe it's the vacuum signal to the regulator that's causing it? Or, if you don't have vacuum hooked up, could the vent fitting be partially plugged?

[ss dave]

It isn't a vacuum regulator.

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What regulator is it? I took a loon on their site, and it looked to me like all the regulators have reference ports.

[ss dave]

Well initially I ran a Weldon without vacuum, now I have a Aeromotive with vacuum. Iam trying to determine which would be best.
Thanks

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I mention the vacuum fitting because if it's got it and that is plugged it will cause problems. They have a special filtered fitting for when you DON'T use the reference, so it won't hold back on the diaphragm.

[ss dave]

I am trying to decide if I should tune with or without a vacuum

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Why not use the vacuum? It helps keep the injectors flowing properly.
If you don't use the reference port you will have to tune around it being a little leaner at WOT and rich at idle.

[ss dave]

Thanks, that advice makes sense and that was what I was looking for.
I'll talk with my tuner tomorrow and see what he prefers.

[Jim Craig]

In your situation, the pressure drop has nothing to do with the regulator. Also, have looked at Weldon's new 1100-A -- its a pretty stout pump and is extremely quiet.

Did you contact Weldon and see what they might think?

[CarlC]

For a stock LS7? The Corvette FPR and a Walbro 255lph will handle that with lots of room to grow. This setup is capable to over 650hp.

Overkill on fuel systems is pretty common. Having a 1000hp capable pump feed a 450hp engine creates excessive heat and wear.

[Jim Craig]

There's got to be something else that he has not said here -- otherwise it wouldn't of already had my regulator and a A1000 pump (that's why I mentioned the 1100-A) on it. Not so sure its a "stock" LS7, might be though. If it truely is then I wouldn't go with anything other than a stock C5 pump assembly (which I guess is really no more than a 255).

Mallet has done a ton of conversions where he uses the stock in tank and adds a separate pickup for a staged 600-A (much smaller than the 1100-A). Just last year on one of his he made over 840 whp with a similar setup.

You are also correct about the worldwide fasicination with "over-fueling" a combination. Today's engines don't need near the amount of fuel some believe to make the same or more horsepower. Too much fuel is worse than not enough in street applications.

[bigd427w]

I've had issues such as your's in the past. What is the psi range of your regulator? You may be working on the one of the regulator limits...You should also be using the boost ref. vaccum port. Set base fuel pressure without vaccum, then hook the line up. I've had zero issues with the Aeromotive regulators when used correctly...so they get my vote.

[ss dave]

Talked with my tuner Fri., he prefers to tune it with a vacuum reference. Less strain on the pump, helps injectors flow properly, and improves the performance of the ECM.

It is an LME built wet LS7, ported TB, manifold, heads. Custom cam, Wiseco pistons 11.25:1 CR, ATS Tri-Y 17/8 headers. Bowler 4L65e.

Ricks tank with a A1000 originally but it pumped the pick-up dry on occasion. Switched to the Bosch pump, baffled doors in tank.

Drove the car on Fri. At WOT the psi was 63 and didn't waiver.
The stock LS7 is set-up at 58psi, but with my parallel fuel system, FAST rails and Bosch 44.5# injectors; the vacuum reference regulator set-up appears to be the way to go.

[bigd427w]

Glad to see it all panned out for you. Have fun with your ride :)

[ss dave]

thanks for all the comments and help.