Rick's efi tank to carb plumbing? Will it work?

[Lenie]

Here's what I was thinking for the 68 bird, let me know what you think. I've got a Rick's efi tank w/built in walbro-255 pump and -6an feed/return. Feed 3/8" soft line to filter, then soft line from filter to Aeromotive A2000 carbureted bypass regulator (set at approx. 6 psi), feed line from regulator to fuel log w/gauge feeding a race demon 750. Also a 3/8" return line from regulator back to tank, the regulator will be set up at the tank end of the car. I would use 5052-0 aluminum tubing for hard line, should I use an flares or compression? What do you think, will it work. Has anyone gone this rout with a carb? Are there any negatives? Motor is a pontiac 400 stroked to 461, should be alittle over 500 hp/550torq.

[kryptik]

Never tried a setup similar to this myself, but have been thinking about it for quite a while...just havn't had the funds. This setup supply the carburetor with a steadier flow and pressure, and will help avoid vaporlock and fuel percolation issues by circulating it.

What are your reasons for using aluminum rather than steel/stainless steel hardline? Steel would be more resistant to shearing and rupturing in a collision. The best and safest (IMO) way would be to have a reputable specialty plumbing shop (such as Orme Bros of Southern California) braze -AN fittings onto both ends of the hardline, for both the feed and return.

I would use at least a 7/16" (preferably 1/2") feed and return hardline, and -8AN/-10AN high quality teflon softlines. 3/8" is already on the small side for your power levels; 1/2" will properly feed your motor and allow for future power adders/modifications.

I would call Aeromotive to make sure that the regulator will work PROPERLY with the pump you are using. Also, check out this RobbMC (highly recommend this company) regulator, I believe it will work with your pump: http://www.robbmcperformance.com/products/regulator_bp.html

Make sure you mount the regulator relatively close to the carburetor, but far enough away to avoid direct heat from headers/engine.

[old66tiger]

I don't think you will get the 43 psi down to 6 psi with the Robbmc regulator.

I was wondering why the need for -8an when using the 255lph pump? Lots of guys running FI are running -6an.

[kryptik]

"There is no upper limit on pump pressure with a bypass regulator" - RobbMC Manual

I guess because the -6 is on the pressure side it would be less of a problem...I'm used to using -8 for ~500HP, then again I'm not the expert on fuel injection or in-tank pumps.

[CarlC]

Why not remove the pump from the tank, spice in a short piece of tubing with a 90* and sock, and make the EFI tank into a carb version? That way a simple mechanical pump can be used.

The 255lph pump will be more than sufficient with a 3/8" line to the regulator.

[gjestico]

Here's what I was thinking for the 68 bird, let me know what you think. I've got a Rick's efi tank w/built in walbro-255 pump and -6an feed/return. Feed 3/8" soft line to filter, then soft line from filter to Aeromotive A2000 carbureted bypass regulator (set at approx. 6 psi), feed line from regulator to fuel log w/gauge feeding a race demon 750. Also a 3/8" return line from regulator back to tank, the regulator will be set up at the tank end of the car. I would use 5052-0 aluminum tubing for hard line, should I use an flares or compression? What do you think, will it work. Has anyone gone this rout with a carb? Are there any negatives? Motor is a pontiac 400 stroked to 461, should be alittle over 500 hp/550torq.

I have done something similar to this. However I used another regulator at (near) the carb. Set the rear bypass reg to 10-20 PSI, if it can go that low, Then set the carb-style(deadhead) reg up front to 4-5 psi. The bypass reg at the back will keep the fuel line to the front pressurised to the 10-20 psi, and the carb style reg will have plenty of fuel to feed from. With this setup a 3/8 fuel line could feed 500+ HP easy.