By V. Moore:
Idle and cruise conditions don’t alter fuel consumption appreciably, but supercharge boost conditions do. Therefore, it’s sensible and probably necessary to increase fuel pressure relative to boost pressure, upgrading to a larger capacity electric fuel pump and bypass fuel pressure regulator.
Bypassing fuel systems using a return-style regulator are the most efficient kind. They control fuel pressure constantly to the engine and return the surplus to the tank. The system is more responsive to fluctuating fuel demands, and as the fuel circulates from hot engine bays, it averts power losses and stalling from vapor locks.
The advantage of the in-tank fuel pump is durability because it is submerged in cool fuel. Also, it is much easier to push fuel than to pull fuel. The disadvantage of the in-tank fuel pump, especially with high performance vehicles, is that if the fuel level in the tank is low, the fuel becomes warm because the pump is warm and the desired cooling effect is lost. Best practice is not to allow fuel level to fall below half tank or avoid driving with low fuel.
The formula for upgrading a fuel system.
The formula for determining a fuel system’s capability is based on a vehicle’s horsepower output. Typically, an engine consumes ½lb of fuel per horsepower per hour. Therefore, feeding 500hp requires 250lbs of fuel per hour. As 1 gallon of fuel weighs approximately 7lbs, simply divide 250 by 7 to find the answer, which is 35.7 gallons. Thus, a fuel pump is required that generates a minimum of 40 gallons (150 liters) per hour to feed the engine at maximum boost-referenced pressure. Typically, 15 percent is added to maximum flow. This allows the regulator to maintain pressure control at maximum horsepower.
You might question why drag racing fuel pumps are so large? This occurs when the fuel pump is located at the rear of the car and the pump has to combat severe g-forces on launching from the start line.
Where to locate a fuel pressure regulator
Avoid mounting the fuel pressure regulator on a bulkhead or inner fenderwell. Instead, position it close to the carburetor. As demonstrated by any data acquisition system, the further distance the fuel pressure regulator is mounted from the carburetor, the slower its reaction time.
Innovation
If you shone a light onto contemporary fuel systems, you’d see no regulator at all. Instead, a computer is used to control the fuel pump with a pulse-width modulated signal. If the computer senses low pressure, it spins the pump faster and, correspondingly, high pressure causes the pump to spin slower.
Do you have a kit for a 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 with a 5.9 V8 Magnum engine.
Hello Todd,
We make a TorqStorm system for that vehicle. If you can email me with your address (sales@torqstorm.com), we can get you a shipped total.
Hi,
I would like information on a kit for my wife’s 1976 K5 Blazer. Its the stock 400cid small block with AC and PS.
Hello Jason,
On a 45-year-old vehicle, details in the engine bay could have changed. Could you email me some pictures of the engine accessories on your Blazer, particularly the accessory bracket and belt-drive layout? This will show me what may need to move to enable the supercharger system to fit. You can email me sales@torqstorm.com
My 455 Pontiac with TorqStorm supercharger does not respond as expected. Using a Holley 750 double pumper carburetor with 9psi fuel pressure, it jerks when I apply full throttle and there is no discernable power increase. It seems to be short of fuel. Can you provide a solution to my problem?
Mikael, we translated your note (below) from Swedish to English via Google Translator and hope the interpretation is accurate: Jag får inte ut effekt, som jag hoppats. Sitter på pontiac, 455 motor. Holley 750 dp.
Bränsletryck 9 psi, verkar ändå som att den inte får bensin. Rycker, när jag ger full gas, går jämt fint annars. Någon effektökning inte märkt av, är inte det konstigt, borde märkas av att jag monterat en torqstorm supercharger. Vad är felet.
Mikael, are you using a blow-through modified carburetor, boost-referenced fuel pressure regulator and electric fuel pump with sufficient pressure range? If you start with these components in place and a base fuel pressure of 6-7psi, then as the boost pressure increases the fuel pressure will increase to keep the carburetor full. Adding 5 pounds of boost to the system requires an additional 5 pounds of fuel pressure. Using the 1:1 pressure regulator increase, 7 pounds of fuel pressure turns into 12psi when you add 5psi of boost. Keeping your positive full pressure fuel flow. From your description it sounds like fuel delivery is where your problem lies.