Possible to make stock fuel sender/in-tank pump into an external pump setup?

[marleyskater420]

Is it possible to modify the stock sender so that you can use an external pump with it?

I'd like to use the stock sender and put a -10 fitting on it and run -10 to an external pump, then -8 to my fuel rails.

Is it possible to do that using the stock sender? Could I just run a longer pickup tube (either with some teflon hose or whatever works) and have it rest at the bottom of the tank?

I know there are aftermarket sender units, but they're 200$, and if I can make my own and save some money, I'd like to.

Thank you for your help.

 

[joey316g]

honestly, Id sump the tank....external pumps rely on head pressure to help feed fuel into their suction port. Thats why they are usually located below the fuel cell.....thats one of the reasons the pump is in the tank in the first place in addition to keeping it cooler and dampening the sound. If you use the stock sender, the pump is going to have to suck the fuel up out of the tank and although it may work, it will not be optimal. This is the same principal as lets say a submersible pump in your houses sump pump....the pump is at the bottom of the well so that the pressure of the atmosphere exerst force downard on the liquid and into the pumps suction. Sumping the tank and mounting the pump below the tank will give the same results. You can still use the sender for the return and gas gauge. Just cap the feed port. I hope I didnt make this too technical. Hope this helps.

 

[marleyskater420]

honestly, Id sump the tank....external pumps rely on head pressure to help feed fuel into their suction port. Thats why they are usually located below the fuel cell.....thats one of the reasons the pump is in the tank in the first place in addition to keeping it cooler and dampening the sound. If you use the stock sender, the pump is going to have to suck the fuel up out of the tank and although it may work, it will not be optimal. This is the same principal as lets say a submersible pump in your houses sump pump....the pump is at the bottom of the well so that the pressure of the atmosphere exerst force downard on the liquid and into the pumps suction. Sumping the tank and mounting the pump below the tank will give the same results. You can still use the sender for the return and gas gauge. Just cap the feed port. I hope I didnt make this too technical. Hope this helps.

so how would one go about sumping the tank? Drill a hole in the bottom and put in a fitting and run the feed from there?

Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.

 

[Mike Licht]

I have built a few by silver soldering in some 1/2" rigid copper pipe with a 90 going through the top of the sender. A stock strainer fits on the bottom (I use a little JB weld too) and a -10 line fits it perfect, since there is no pressure a clamp is all you need. This provides a big enough supply for an inline. The pump can be mounted right in front of the tank I used to make a bracket that went across and bolted up with the gas tank strap bolts. Add a piece of fuel line to the factory feed on the hangar to take it to the bottom and use the stock feed line for the return. A short piece of -6 line can run from the regulator to the factory hard line down by the frame where they come apart,
This is a solid proven sytem that had worked many times
Mike

 

[joey316g]

so how would one go about sumping the tank? Drill a hole in the bottom and put in a fitting and run the feed from there?

Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.

A tank sump can be purchased through Jegs or Summit amongst other race parts suppliers. A small section in the bottom of the tank needs to be cut out and the sump welded in place.

 

[TurboBuRick]

There is a coating inside the tanks. Once you weld on the tank, that coating is burned off and is then prone to rust. If you want to run a sump your best bet is a complete new tank with a sump. Stainless steel or aluminum.

My set up is exactly as Mike describes. I'm using a Weldon A1100 fuel pump. They pull just as good as they push. Great pump.

 

[TurboTnZ06]

I have the Robbsmc pickup -10/-10 and hooked it up to a Weldon 1100 that fed -8 to the rail with a -6 return. Get out your wallet, the fittings, lines, pump and pre and post filters are the expensive part, not the $200 pickup...

 

[87GN_70GS]

You can use the in-tank pump to feed an external pump, i.e., two pumps in series.

 

[marleyskater420]

I have the Robbsmc pickup -10/-10 and hooked it up to a Weldon 1100 that fed -8 to the rail with a -6 return. Get out your wallet, the fittings, lines, pump and pre and post filters are the expensive part, not the $200 pickup...

Yeah I saw that, but for 200$ I might as well go with a cell.

The filters are about 30$ for 40 micron, 80$ for 100 from Jegs that are compatible with e85. The proflo200 fuel lines are also e85 compatible and are cheaper than teflon.

the pump...yea...thats pricey.

 

[turbofabricator]

Lots of options. As Mike said, just solder in a 1/2" copper line, Silver solder in a stainless tube, drill a hole and install a 90* fitting with a section of tubing soldered in. (use 45% silver solder for stainless steel), Buy a new tank and weld in a sump, but DO NOT TRY it on a old used tank or you may meet your maker earlier than you want to, Use a fuel cell, use a new 300-350 lph in tank fuel pump(s). What is your horsepower goals? We are making 750+hp on pump gas and alcohol on a single in tank DW pump.

 

[Mike Licht]

loading up the stock tank with dry ice before welding fills it with CO2 and stops it from going boom

 

[marleyskater420]

loading up the stock tank with dry ice before welding fills it with CO2 and stops it from going boom

Thank you for the help. I believe I'm going to go with a fuel cell in the back.