Hi, I just purchased an '87 IROC-Z 350 TPI there are some issues with the fuel system. The fuel pump is making a loud whining noise, especially when the tank is low on gas, the previous owner said it was brand new and still had the warranty. I took it by the shop and they assured me the pump was fine, that it needs a fuel pump assembly? Not too sure what that is or where I could find one, have been looking with no avail. Recently the car starts to slow down when the gas is pressed, if you press too hard it will die. This only happened after the car had been idling at a red light. The car will run normal again if you shut it off for a bit and start it again.
If it matters, I recently changed the thermostat to a 180*
I appreciate any help.

 

I went through this exact same thing on my 92 Z. When I bought it, the previous owner said he had just replaced the fuel pump (with a cheap pump). The darn thing was louder than the exhaust! I too started losing the gas pedal. It would drive ok, start to get weak, and then die. In my case, the pump was dying... this was because the intake screen (not the filter) was getting clogged with little rust particles from inside the tank. As the screen got blocked, it could not pull enough fuel through to feed the engine. At idle, it was ok, but the more i used the gas pedal, the worse it got.

One day I had to drive 90 miles home with the car stalling out every 10 or so miles. I would step on the clutch, wait a couple seconds, then fire it up again and drive some more.....all on the highway...... at 65 mph.

When I pulled the pump out, the filter looked good, but the little screen on the pump inlet was almost completely blocked. I could barely see any light through it. The pump didn't fail, it was starved to death! It can't pull enough fuel, so your fuel pressure drops when you step on the gas and the car struggles.

I dropped the tank, replaced the pump with a Bosch pump, replaced the filter, cleaned the inside of the tank, and reassembled. Have had no problems for the last year.

Good luck......

 

Thanks for the quick reply. When you replaced your fuel pump with the Bosch one, did the whining noise go away? I'll probably need a new fuel tank as the previous owner said the old one is being held in there with tank putty or something.

 

yes, can't hear the new pump at all.... the noise was the old one working so hard to pull fuel through the restricted inlet screen. If the inside of the tank is bad.....you probably have the same problem i did.