Daniel U

As most of you know, my IROC didn't make the last GTG, ! It needs a new fuel pump. Because a simple OEM replacement isn't good enough for me, I decided to check around and see what most people have upgraded to(as the future may bring more c.i.). After doing some research, most people mentioned using the Walbro 255 LPH hp. Sense I will be pulling the tank down anyways to get to the pump, I figured now would be the time to upgrade to the "1LE" baffled tank with new sending unit and double strainer. Yesterday, I had my nieghbor order both of those 1LE parts at the GM dealership he works at(2weeks wait ). I located one '91 baffled tank at a local pnp. Still checking for another. This upgrade project should extend the life of the fuel pump and prevent fuel starve during hard cornering at lower fuel levels.
"Special swinging fuel pickup in gas tank and special 18 gallon baffled fuel tank for fuel pickup down to .5 gallon reserve to prevent fuel starvation in hard cornering." Added in 1990.

Darkshot

iTrader: (4)

There was a recall on 91 fuel tanks, "leaky filler neck". Might want to examine it and maybe plug some holes if you find anything.

Daniel U

Good to know. I'll be sure to examine the filler neck.

anthony64ss

iTrader: (1)

The walbro is a great pump. I have a 190lph for my 305 and its been going strong for almost 3 years, and I regularly run it down to E.

Strangely, before I did the fuel pump I had the sarvation issue during cornering when the tank was less than 1/4 full. After the pump, no starvation issues.

Camaero

iTrader: (2)

^^ That is interesting, because I mentioned to Daniel that I have never had fuel starvation problems as long as I can remember, but I did upgrade my fuel pump.

TraviZ

iTrader: (2)

amazing what happens when your tank is more then an 1/8 full

Daniel U

Quick update:
I just picked up the tank today from the local parts yard(PnP) for $50 and droped it off at a local radiator shop to have it cleaned out ($55)and ready for the new 1LE sending unit and double strainer(My neighbor called me and my parts are in from GM!). I'm ordering the fuel pump later today. I'll take pics later. Gotta go to work now.

Daniel U

Here's the 1LE sending unit and double strainer. I pick up the fuel tank from the radiator shop on Monday. Not sure when I can do the swap as my wife's birthday is next weekend. I'll keep you posted with plenty of pics.

Camaero

iTrader: (2)

Hey Daniel, glad to see you are quickly collecting everything you need. I ran into some problems on Friday with my transmission, so I didn't get to throw it back into the truck this weekend.

Unless I am the center of some really cruel cosmic joke, (which is possible) then I will be putting it in the truck next weekend.

So, unless you have other plans, maybe we can shoot for the 3rd to bring your Camaro over to the shop? I would like to get started as early as possible, which I think it opens at 9. Let me know if this works for you as of now.

Daniel U

That sounds good to me. I may be out of town this coming weekend, so the 3rd should work. I'm glad the weather has been good for the Harley. I miss my IROC though I can't wait to see the tank Monday.

Guest

How about another picture of that sending unit, on the business end (the part that goes in the tank)?
Looks like a typical intank sending unit to me. Just the strainer is different.

Daniel U

Thanks for noticing! I pulled the part # from the other thread I was reading and checked it against the invoice I recieved. "Pete Johnston Chevrolet" here in Paso Robles sent the standard sending unit: Part # 19111386
The 1LE sending unit part # reads 25027221. The strainer is correct as mentioned. Will the 1LE sending unit have the "swinging pick up"?
Thanks again,
Daniel U

Daniel U

I just ordered my Walbro 255lph in-tank fuel pump from:
http://www.injectedperformance.com
It should be here Monday. I should get the tank back from the radiator shop tommoro.

Daniel U

I went to pick up my '91 tank from the radiator shop today. The cleaning process seems to have disturbed what appears to be a galvinized linning. Anyone ever hear of this or run into this problem?

anthony64ss

iTrader: (1)

You could get that fuel tank sealer from eastwood if you think its going to cause corosion.

Daniel U

Thanks, I'll check on that.

TMoNeE

iTrader: (1)

come down to fresno and change mine.. ive had it sitting here in a box for like a year.. im not pulling that tank out lol

Daniel U

T$ good to hear you still have your car. I'm going to get help from Camaero and his shop/lift.

I talk to my nieghbor and the correct 1LE sending unit is ordered. The pump came yesterday. Just need time!

Daniel U

I just ordered this today for the inside/outside of my tank:
http://eastwood.resultspage.com/sear...m&w=fuel+tank+
One is a kit for the inside of the tank, the other is a zinc coating for the outside. If I could get some time, I may be able to get the IROC back on the road. Turns out the tanks were lined with a "tining" so they didn't rust. I had the tank pressure checked and it's good. Just waiting on the sending unit and the eastwood kit. Then I'll have to make some time. I got a funeral this weekend.

TraviZ

iTrader: (2)

sweet stuff, i'll need to remember to do that!

Daniel U

My nieghbor (who work in parts at a GM dealership) tells me today the 1LE sending unit is no longer available.
www.gmpartsdirect.com shows otherwise. Anyone have any pics of the 1LE fuel sending unit so I could compare it to what I have in the above pic?

TraviZ

iTrader: (2)

When they say something is no longer available or discontinued, it does not mean somewhere, someone might have it NOS (new old stock).
can you call GM parts DIRECT?

Daniel U

I emailed them. I'm awaiting a response as they list both part #'s:
19111386 = stock fuel sending unit
25027221 = 1LE fuel sending unit
Why do I have to be so difficult. I'm sure most people would've just replaced the pump with a factory replacement and been done with it. I hope I'm happy when I'm all done. In the meantime I'm riding the softail to work. I miss my IROC!

TraviZ

iTrader: (2)

if the 1le doesnt pan out, have you considered the universal pump I mentioned?

http://www.jegs.com/i/Jegster/550/40793/10002/-1

Daniel U

Absoulutely. Whould this require a custom tank? Would it fit in a 3rd gen tank?

TraviZ

iTrader: (2)

that baby gets welded right smack dab on the bottom of your stock tank

TraviZ

iTrader: (2)

ls1 unit on the left, lt1 on the right, see the bucket we discussed? might need to do some reading at ls1tech.com to read more about what it takes to do the conversion. just a thought that popped in my head to resolve your fuel starvation issue.

Daniel U

I may try to make my own bucket for the new sending unit and pump I have. Thank you for the idea. Maybe an aluminum can? I'll be thinking about it some more. This weekend I'm coating the inside and out side of the take and letting it dry. I'm working OT to pay for all the new parts tonight.

RU-QWIK

iTrader: (3)

You ever get this thing done bro? Much longer and my blue car will be on the road before yours....


Jason

Daniel U

How come I never see you in your "blue car"? Here's what I got done while the kiddo was away:
Here's the tank with the new guts.....

And the guts assembled:

I should have some time tommoro before work to get the tank liner in and coat the outside of the tank with the zinc based paint. In the meantime I expect to see a blue '91 RS with a "healthy little small block" pull up to my driveway.

Daniel U

She lives again! I know I couldn't have done this myself. This is definitely a 2-3 person job(espeacially with a 1/2 tank of fuel). Camaero came over yesterday and helped me tear apart and re-assemble the IROC. She actually ran for a few minutes before the tank swap. Enough for us to get stranded about 3 miles from home (but a quick burnout in)! After AAA droped us off, we began the project. I misplaced the camera, so no pics . We droped the exhaust, heatshields, and rear before actually getting to the tank. There does seem to be a difference in shape(maybe volume?) in the original '88 tank compared to the '91 tank. We had to get longer bolts to hold the tank straps in place. But at 1AM, I closed my garage and took a shower! My nieghbors must love me. BTW, BIG THANK YOU to Camaero for his help. This wouldn't have been done without you. Also to my wife for making lunch and getting us the other bolts (and dinner) while we were covered in dirt and grease. My hands still smell like Chevron 91 octane

87tpi

iTrader: (5)

Glad to hear it's back on the road. I can't wait to drive mine again.

Daniel U

Sense my 3 year old helper couldn't be up for the finish, the 1st thing this morning he asked if he could go to school in the Camaro. Gave me a big smile. "Daddy I like your Camaro, it's faster"-Dominic (age 3)

87tpi

iTrader: (5)

Haha, my son sat in the formula for about an hour "driving" to the store and to grandma's house while I dropped the engine in last week. Once it gets going he wants me to "make smoke with the wheels" He always wants to go out to the garage and help, he's awesome.

Cadillac

The boy knows an F body driving experience.

Raise 'em right!

Camaero

iTrader: (2)

It was fun helping you throw that new pump back in Daniel. I think I finally got into bed at 2 AM. Between your camaro and my truck, we did some hard work the last few weeks!

The next thing I will have to do is pull my transmission in the maro. I am a little ways off from doing that right now, but if you are down for it, I'll let you know!

Daniel U

Absolutely down for it! We'll need a lift for the IROC though. You don't seem to have the same ground clearance on the IROC as your 4x4, lol. Let me know as soon as the T56 is ready to go in. It should go in as simple as the truck if we have the car in the air and a trans lift. Then we'll need to get that 12 bolt with 4.11's for you!

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Daniel U,

I'm trying to do a similar setup as you. Did you end up finding the 1LE sending unit? or just the normal one? If so, what are the differences?

Thanks

Daniel U

Although I could never confirm that the sending unit I bought through GM was the 1LE sending unit, it was a bit longer than my 1988 one. The '91 tank was also deeper though as I had to buy bigger bolts for the tank straps. If I had it to do over again, I may have done the 4th gen plastic tank instead with all new guts. Not sure how well that tank fits or what electrical wiring mods would need to be done though. The newer sending unit doesn't seem to read my fuel capacity correctly. I don't know if it has to do with my '88 gauge and 91+ tank and sending unit.

Daniel U

Guess who's fuel pump just went out again? Yup, I got to call injected performance tommoro and see if they'll cover it and maybe labor so I don't have to do it all over again. I'm so frusterated!

Daniel U

Injected performance is telling me 90% of the time these pumps go out they don't relace them. I'm calling Walbro directly tommorrow. I'm a little upset as this was the "best" pump out there and came highly recommended. Maybe I should just pull the car cover over it and forget about it like RU-QWIK did his blue car. I'm so done with the car right now!

Jeremy_84_F41

iTrader: (3)

Have you ruled out the fuel pump fuse, relay, and wiring? It might not necessarily be the pump itself.

Daniel U

I'm gonna check out and see if I get voltage to the pump tommorrow.

Daniel U

I posted this in the product review: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/afte...ml#post3848667
I'm not bitter, just dissapointed I didn't realize the lack of warranty in the product. They are telling me they don't warranty the Walbro pump due to selling it at a discounted price. Looks like I'll be calling GM for a factory pump. So much for an upgraded fuel system.....

Camaero

iTrader: (2)

That really sucks what happened Daniel. I know what it's like to have something like that go wrong and get so pissed off that you don't even want to look at it for weeks. You might try the Granatelli pump. I got that in my IROC and its done just fine.

Also: I bet if you would have bought from Summit, they would have taken it back. Summit is just crazy cool like that when it comes to parts failing. You might consider that for next time as well.

Daniel U

Point taken. I may call them later when I get motivated.

NoCal91Convert

Hey, I'm a member of the "car cover over the camaro" club! I hope membershop drops in the not-too-distant future.

RU-QWIK

iTrader: (3)

Sadly, I am not enjoying driving mine as much as I had hoped... The car is great, but.... I waited roughly 6 years to start driving it again, now I guess my views have changed.... UGGGGHHHHH....

Jason

urbanhunter44

iTrader: (3)

Man that really sucks. I'll remember this the next time I buy an electric pump. It's mechanical for me now though lol

Daniel U

Okay, I'm confused? What's not to like about gobs of hp and torque through an injected motor that's matched to a stiff suspension and manual 6 speed with 2 wheel peel? What gives?
----------
I may pull the cover and look under the hood this weekend. Not sure though.