Hi guys I am new to this forum so if I am posting in the wrong place please just delete my thread.

I was wondering about fuel pumps... I have a 1984 firebird and I am planing to build a 383 stroker with estimated 500 hp. My question is this, what kind of fuel pump do I need to get the job done? is the stock one enough or do I need a bigger one?

Best regards from Iceland
-Vest

 

Welcome I'm pretty new here myself.

I ran a 406 in 74' Camaro for years. That car needed a full bypass return system and the factory fuel lines were useless so I had to build a complete system. That car NEVER starved for fuel and lots of cars I raced did!

I'm going much milder this time and at 325-350 HP so I posted the query and was told by members here when I asked, that the stock fuel lines in a 3rd gen could handle "400-450" no problem and that I would have no problem. Don't know how much stock I'd put in stock lines carrying 450 but so I'm told. Its not so much the size as the numberof 90 degree bends in it. Tough to say on yours.

500 HP is easy to say tougher to achieve. I think in terms of HP/C.I.. My 406 produced 1.25HP/C.I. naturally aspirated and was about 510HP. I needed that full bypass return set up. With a Holley Black pump and what seemed 30' of 1/2 aluminum fuel line, a million snap ties, a regulator and and mess of really expensive fittings it cost me $1000 to build a safe proper system back in about 2004. I tucked it along the frame connectors and up over the rear axle to the pump and stock fuel tank to keep it safe. Tech loved it.

Good luck maybe some one else here has a better thought but I've seen and talked to plenty of Friday night drags guys who complained their cars wouldn't wind out in the top end.

Good luck.

 

Welcome to the forum Vest.
What's in the chassis now? Mechanical or electric? At 500 HP, either option is workable. Some of this will depend on whether the engine you build will have provisions for a mechanical pump.
The mechanical pump has the advantage of simplicity. And depending on the plumbing, they can be made to run without the overheating issues that have plagued some installations. Including my own.
The electric version may add a layer of complexity that will have to be dealt with if the current chassis isn't already set up for it. Namely wiring and control.

That was from your earlier post but I thought it may be useful here as well.

My best attempt with a mechanical pump was the Edlebrock Performer RPM street fuel pump 1721.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-1721

The issue I found with this pump was that it did not have a return line. When I was at the drag strip and waiting, the fuel would get very hot in the supply line. As a result, I had a vapour lock issue which resulted in the car nosing over around mid track. The pump has more than enough gallon per hour capacity to satisfy 500 HP however it needs a return line. I went with the Holley carburetor bypass style fuel pressure regulator 12-803BP.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hly-12-803bp

This meant I had to add a 3/8" return line from the regulator to the tank. This solved the vapour lock problem.

I'm currently running a Holley Blue electric fuel pump with a return line. The mechanical pump had other issues that were difficult to deal with.

For the record, this was not a 500 HP engine. From trap speed results and weight, maybe closer to 425.