hi, im in the middle of a carb->tpi conversion(yeah, i know i say this almost every post, but someone might not know ) i went to my local auto parts store to buy a fuel pressure regulator, and he said it wouldnt work with my stock fuel pump because of the return line. but isnt that what a 3-port regulator is for? what is the best way to go.... wire up my old fuel pump and hook up a 3 port fuel pressure regulator, or buy a new fuel pump that comes with a fuel pressure regulator? whats the deal with this return line anyway? cant i just plug it or something? (yes i have read, and printed out the tech article on this page, but its not as simple as it seems) if anyone has some additional info about this conversion, id really appreciate it (eg... what wires need to be hooked up, how to hook up the cruise controll, distributor, etc...).

 

Dunno I wish I could have helped

 

Dunno I wish I could have helped

 

You need to purchase the 4 port "RETURN STYLE" Mallory regulator if you want to keep your in stock fuel pump. There's not other way around it. And you definetly don't want to plug it and let the pump die a slow death because you're forcing it down to 6-7 psi but not using something to return the extra fuel.

 

why a 4-port regulator? i only have one fuel entrance for the carb, and 2 comeing from the fuel tank, so 3 seems about right. what would i need the 4th port for? and is mallory the best brand to go with?

 

I have a Mallory MAA04309 regulator right in front of me. The lable that is stuck on the cellophane shows the part number and for a description it says.

Fuel Regulator Three Port Comp.

This is the regulator I am using on my now carbed ex TPI motor. There is 4 ports on it but you only use 3. One for the pressure line coming from the tank, one for the return line to the tank, and one line to the carb of course. Hope that helps.

 

you can use an el cheapo Holley regulator, it has 1 in, and 2 outs, I dont know if that means its a 2 or 3 port.

I used it on my car when I did this swap(I had TBI)
the pump did eventually die, but I dont think it was from the regulator, cuz I did hook up the return to the extra port.
I think the pump died cuz it had 156,000 miles on it.

I ended up just putting a Holley external pump on it, didnt even remove the dead pump from the tank.

 

so when i go into my local auto parts store, do i ask for a mallory 3 port fuel regulator, or a 4 port? also, what do i do with the stock fuel lines? will they just screw into the mallory regulator, or do i have to modify them with that edelbrock fuel line kit? those of you that did the conversion, how did you bypass the starter relay? and how did you hook up the throttle cables?? i could really use some expert advice right now because im kind of stuck.

 

Malory 3 port is what I used in my swap. I have had no problems with it....and the 3 port has 4 ports counting the return..

 

here it is...Part # MAA-4309

 

um... i kind of got suckered into buying a different fuel pressure regulator and distributor than what i oringinaly wanted. i got a proform hi-performance HEI distributor and ignition coil and a BG fuel pressure regulator. its alot smaller than the mallory one and i have a really bad feeling about this.... it seems to be made out of aluminum. is it possible just to buy a screw with threaded ends on each side and just screw in my old fuel lines into the new fuel pressure regulator? it seems like a lot of trouble to cut the lines and track down all the parts id need to do that conversion, when ultimately its just going to have to screw into something anyways. i can use one of my old short metal fuel lines that went to the fuel rail to connect the bigger hose to the fuel pressure regulator, but the smaller one wont work. what should i do?

 

I must say, I am a bit confused as to what you are planning here. Plumbing in the regulator is fairly simple. It comes with directions, I think it would be best to follow them.

 

ok what i did was use the 4 port mallory 1 for from pump 1 to carb 1 to return ,its marked ,the other use for a pressure gauge. From the stock rubber TpI lines that connect to the hard lines by the drivers side frame i had good braided lines made with np an schraeder fittings to attach them to the fact rubber lines and to regulator. one draw back is you will be plumbing across the motor i used black heat resistant ducking to keep the lines cool over the motor. if you want picks ill send them, the other way which i will do some day is to drop the tank an replace the lines with larger no pump in tank no return just a vent , braided line run up passenger side then a pump then a regulator then to carb have all the details for that if you want it also.

 

ok what i did was use the 4 port mallory 1 for from pump 1 to carb 1 to return ,its marked ,the other use for a pressure gauge. From the stock rubber TpI lines that connect to the hard lines by the drivers side frame i had good braided lines made with np an schraeder fittings to attach them to the fact rubber lines and to regulator. one draw back is you will be plumbing across the motor i used black heat resistant ducking to keep the lines cool over the motor. if you want picks ill send them, the other way which i will do some day is to drop the tank an replace the lines with larger no pump in tank no return just a vent , braided line run up passenger side then a pump then a regulator then to carb have all the details for that if you want it also.

 

other pick

 

sorry..

Most intank units are pretty low flow. For one thing, regulating a 43psi pump down to about 6 will shorten the life.. but it might not have enough flow to keep up with a stout motor.

I used my return line as a second delivery line and put a external electric on it. (it does loose prime when sat for long periods without starting and if the tank is low of fuel).

 

fish ? im runnnin 12s with my set up at 7# pressure 4 at other end, floats set just below middle on demon.

 

Heres a picture of my mallory regulator connected to the stock rubber lines. Braided line on the left is the supply line, braided line on the right is to the carb and the one on the bottom is the return.

 

for the throttle cable i used a gm cable from a carberator camaro. use the holley gold bracket to hold it and the transmission cable as far as the tranny your best shot is the one from Lokar that is completely adjustable an cut to fit real easy though.

 

are most regulators the same? are Barry Grant regulators any good? 88IROC350TPI where did you get those screw on hoses that go from your stock fuel lines to your fuel pressure regulator? were they custom made or do they sell them at most auto part stores?