Seeing as how my computer for my TBI has been removed and hopefully shall never again be within 50 yards of my car, I am faced w/a question of how the fuel pump in the tank knows how to operate. If I add a fuel pump to the block, will the tank pump act to hinder proper operation, or will it be usful still?

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Duffster (age 31)
BEAT DOWN HARD'88 Camaro SC
Loose rod havin 305 TBI, 1st and 2nd gear only 700 R4 Auto,
(but not for long--newly acquired 700R4),
'84 Z-28 Nose clip wearin', '84 Z-28 Hood covered,
AND THE TIRES:
245/60-16 Firehawk SS20 (1),
245/60-16 Bridgestone CompTA's(on rear),
235/60-16 Pirelli P600 w/a curb check or 3(1),
REAR HATCH MASTER OF ALL!!!
...and a new ECM (which will be removed for a Q-Jet)
Duffster_Camaro@HOTMAIL.COM
Owner of the Camaro 0 out of 10 Third-genners approve of, also part of the non-existent Iowa crew.

 

Duff,

The pressure from the fuel pump (even a TBI system) will be too much for the Q-Jet needle and inlet set. You'll either need to install a 3-5 PSIG regulator and use the existing return line or abandon the in-tank pump for a mechanical one. The flow of the electric pump should be adequate for your single Q-Jet on a 350-ish engine unless you get really radical.

You can wire the pump relay to your ignition switch in place of the ECM control. The original wiring should also have provided a parallel path through the auxilliary oil pressure switch. The problem with relying on this switch would be no backup if the switch failed, and no fuel pressure until you cranked long enough to close the switch.

The Q-Jet would probably have enough fuel in reserve in the bowl to get you started, but I know how military-types like redundant systems (that's how us suppliers make most of our profits). Besides, I can't imagine Momma would appreciate being stuck up the river without a Camaro...

If you decide to abandon the electric pump in place, you SHOULD be able to draw fuel through it with a mechanical pump, and the electric pump would serve only as a set of check valves to backup the mechanical pump.

Later,
Vader

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"Some Body...Someone"

 

chris has a mechanical pump pulling fuel thru his in tank pump. on his 88 the wires are under the rear seat/carpet.