I recently bought a Volvo station wagon with a TBI 5.7 drivetrain out of a '89 Suburban. As I dig deeper into the car the quality of the swap work is becoming more apparent. The fuel system is a nightmare. I'm pretty sure the fuel line is only 5/16" and it's running to an underhood fuel filter nearly the size of the evap canister. Lots of double hose clamped rubber lines installed over metal or plastic lines too.

My intention is to redo the whole damned mess from engine to tank in the future but I'm curious whether the current setup is detrimental to performing a tuneup. I've installed a 60psi autometer gauge underhood on the line just before the TBI (after the fuel filter) and it reads 12 psi... I was under the impression it needed needs closer to 14psi... Is this adequate? I've yet to check volume. Can you have proper psi and inadequate volume?

The underhood filter scares me too. I have no clue what application it's for- It's not anything like the proper 'burb filter. Every electric pump vehicle I've ever seen has is mounted closer to the pump...I'm assuming there's a reason for this.

Sorry for the barrage of n00b questions- I hope you won't go too hard on a non F-body guy... This site seems to be the best TBI resource around.

Thanks!

Mark.

 

The stock fuel pressure is usually between 11-13 so you are fine there, and depeneding on the tune you can have the right pressure and not enough fuel. The other questions I won't be much help on.

 

Sleeper !

Good idea.

It depends if the engine is stock, or not. Stock yes it's adequate. Non-stock, it depends on the level of mods done.

Yes... and that often happens at low speeds with a tired fuel pump, or clogged fuel filter, or a combination of both.

Lazy install, IMO.

The factory fuel filters on TBI and TPI (and later cars for that matter) had the fuel filter near the gas tank (as you said), and used barbed fittings.

 

same same