Stock fuel pump or upgrade

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Slantsix64

Slantsix64

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So I got a mild 5.9 with ported heads .480 lift 224 duration@50 camshaft Holley 750cfm vacuum secondary long headers 2800 stall 3.91 gears out back.

I’m upgrading the line to 3/8 from 5/16 that’s around 40% more volume.

My question is would the pump need to be upgraded as well, I do have a Carter performance pump, just debating if volume is more important than pressure.
 
if you don't have a baseline on your current pump and it's a vatozone special? yeah, i'd probably upgrade.

but if it's a known entity, you'll probably be okay. i mean, big block cars came with 5/16 lines and 750's...

don't forget a regulator if you upgrade the pump, and a decent sized fuel filter ;D
 
junkyardhero said:
if you don't have a baseline on your current pump and it's a vatozone special? yeah, i'd probably upgrade.

but if it's a known entity, you'll probably be okay. i mean, big block cars came with 5/16 lines and 750's...

don't forget a regulator if you upgrade the pump, and a decent sized fuel filter ;D
Click to expand...
Ahah for sure it’s a vato zone special! My current pump puts out 5.5 PSI a little on the low side.

I feel like my 5/16 lines are probably clogged like hogans arteries, the fuel is clean and I flushed the lines out years ago.

Lol imma live with that filter fail forever.

Ya was looking at a summit brand regulator and gauge, trying to figure out the best spot to mount with out the lines going everywhere
 
Unless you run a mechanical that states it requires a regulator, you won’t need one and cheap ones can create their own issues. Especially with the Holley. They can take more fuel pressure before you have an issue. Think about it, what is the limiting orifice prior to the jet? The needle and seat. Which is much smaller than 5/16”. A true steady 5.5 lbs at full song is fine. You can have an issue if you cant supply the needle with fuel fast enough, but you would see the fuel pressure drop to 2-3 lbs. pressure v volume, too high of pressure can sink the float, or create fuel foam in the bowl. I would put the Carter on it and make sure you really have 5.5 lbs at full throttle. Pressure is just restriction to flow. You can have 5 lbs of pressure with just a trickle of flow and have 5 lbs of pressure flowing gallons. Fuel line size is a bit overstated in its importance. I was running 11.8’s 410 CI 6400 rpm with 5/16” line from tank to carb.
 
I run a Carter muscle car mechanical pump and 3/8 fuel line. It feeds my six pack with no problem. You Should be good to go if everything is working properly.
 
Slantsix64 said:
So I got a mild 5.9 with ported heads .480 lift 224 duration@50 camshaft Holley 750cfm vacuum secondary long headers 2800 stall 3.91 gears out back.

I’m upgrading the line to 3/8 from 5/16 that’s around 40% more volume.

My question is would the pump need to be upgraded as well, I do have a Carter performance pump, just debating if volume is more important than pressure.
Click to expand...
My opinion is you're wasting your time, energy, and money, even worrying about this...
 
j par said:
My opinion is you're wasting your time, energy, and money, even worrying about this...
Click to expand...
I mean it depends, I’m not really going to stop building this motor up. Once I hit a certain consistent time/e.t I am probably going to put a hotter camshaft/ aluminum heads etc. this way my fuel delivery system will be ready later for future upgrades.
 
junkyardhero said:
if you don't have a baseline on your current pump and it's a vatozone special? yeah, i'd probably upgrade.

but if it's a known entity, you'll probably be okay. i mean, big block cars came with 5/16 lines and 750's...

don't forget a regulator if you upgrade the pump, and a decent sized fuel filter ;D
Click to expand...
I don't think you need a regulator for ANY mechanical pump. I tried every brand out there years ago and none were over 6-7 PSI. Even tried some fancy circle track pump. Went in- tank electric and never looked back.
Shameless plug for Tanks Inc.
Feeds my 600 horse LA, and if I wanted to go EFI(I never will), all I'd need is a different regulator.

Every friggin car made in the last 20 years have in tank pumps. Quiet, efficient, and last forever.

My 2 cents.
 
Slantsix64 said:
So I got a mild 5.9 with ported heads .480 lift 224 duration@50 camshaft Holley 750cfm vacuum secondary long headers 2800 stall 3.91 gears out back.

I’m upgrading the line to 3/8 from 5/16 that’s around 40% more volume.

My question is would the pump need to be upgraded as well, I do have a Carter performance pump, just debating if volume is more important than pressure.
Click to expand...
Volume is a good thing for a performance application. Most carb's don't need much mort than 5# of pressure. Regardless of which pump you use test the pressure. I have seen 8# and 11# from a stock parts store pump.
 
Ironmike said:
I don't think you need a regulator for ANY mechanical pump. I tried every brand out there years ago and none were over 6-7 PSI. Even tried some fancy circle track pump. Went in- tank electric and never looked back.
Shameless plug for Tanks Inc.
Feeds my 600 horse LA, and if I wanted to go EFI(I never will), all I'd need is a different regulator.

Every friggin car made in the last 20 years have in tank pumps. Quiet, efficient, and last forever.

My 2 cents.
Click to expand...
i guess my luck runs counter to that. i've had box stock pumps over run the carb multiple times requiring a regulator-- different engines, set ups and carbs. but for the most part, they're usually plug and play with out drama.

i feel ya on the tanks set up. my D300 has one and it is wonderful and the 68 dart that's going together right now is getting the same treatment
 
I have recently checked two Carter mechanical fuel pump for pressure at the carburetor use recently.The first one was a stock replacement for a 340 Mopar probably the same as a 318 pump it ran 5.3 lb pressure. And a Carter mechanical muscle car pump for the same application runs right at 6 lb. A good fit for most Street carburetor use.
 

Slantsix64 said:
I mean it depends, I’m not really going to stop building this motor up. Once I hit a certain consistent time/e.t I am probably going to put a hotter camshaft/ aluminum heads etc. this way my fuel delivery system will be ready later for future upgrades.
Click to expand...
Still won't need it...
Maybe spend your money on an a/f gauge and uh, when you start running out of gas at the end of the quarter mile....
My experience... high compression 410 stroker.
Over 600 lift cam and slant 6 factory stock fuel lines. And never ran out of fuel in the quarter mile...
Unless you want a rev limiter and other options save your money on that aftermarket ignition box because I didn't gain/loose one millisecond when I switched from factory ignition.. ( i was thinking this may come next...)
I too had big aspirations and went down rabbit holes spending money I didn't need to... my-2...
 
j par said:
Still won't need it...
Maybe spend your money on an a/f gauge and uh, when you start running out of gas at the end of the quarter mile....
My experience... high compression 410 stroker.
Over 600 lift cam and slant 6 factory stock fuel lines. And never ran out of fuel in the quarter mile...
Unless you want a rev limiter and other options save your money on that aftermarket ignition box because I didn't gain/loose one millisecond when I switched from factory ignition.. ( i was thinking this may come next...)
I too had big aspirations and went down rabbit holes spending money I didn't need to... my-2...
Click to expand...
Lol that would of probably came next.
 
Mine ran out of steam on the dyno at 6800 RPM, if I remember. We hooked up his electric pump and whooaa. Zinged right past 7000. At that time I believe I was using the Edelbrock High Performance pump.

Me myself and I will never run a mechanical pump again. Even if I would build a stock motor.
That's just me.
 
If you are going to keep upgrading your build.Go with a good quality electric fuel pump mounted at or in the tank.
They are designed to push fuel. Mechanical pumps pull fuel and are much less efficient.
 
Fuel line swap was straight forward!
Now waiting to do the fuel pump as well.

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Took the barracuda out for a spin tonight, and nothing but smiles. I don’t know if my old line had rust buildup in it or what. My carburetors were always clean on the inside, and I always ran a filter before the pump.

But all I can say is that now shes hitting hard in the upper rpm’s!

Was worth the $80 and 2 hours of dirt on my face and in my eyes lol
 
Slantsix64 said:
Took the barracuda out for a spin tonight, and nothing but smiles. I don’t know if my old line had rust buildup in it or what. My carburetors were always clean on the inside, and I always ran a filter before the pump.

But all I can say is that now shes hitting hard in the upper rpm’s!

Was worth the $80 and 2 hours of dirt on my face and in my eyes lol
Click to expand...
Is this what they mean by "seat of the pants..."
 
Slantsix64 said:
Took the barracuda out for a spin tonight, and nothing but smiles. I don’t know if my old line had rust buildup in it or what. My carburetors were always clean on the inside, and I always ran a filter before the pump.

But all I can say is that now shes hitting hard in the upper rpm’s!

Was worth the $80 and 2 hours of dirt on my face and in my eyes lol
Click to expand...
Mind sharing who's fuel line you used? Right stuff/Fine lines? Thank you.
 
Slantsix64 said:
So I got a mild 5.9 with ported heads .480 lift 224 duration@50 camshaft Holley 750cfm vacuum secondary long headers 2800 stall 3.91 gears out back.

I’m upgrading the line to 3/8 from 5/16 that’s around 40% more volume.

My question is would the pump need to be upgraded as well, I do have a Carter performance pump, just debating if volume is more important than pressure.
Click to expand...
Is your tank sending unit 3/8 as well?
Are you now using the the carter pump or stock pump with the 3/8 line?
 
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