Pro Flo 4 with Delphi FE0114 or ACDelco EP381

I have seen several posts here where people used the Delphi FE0114 or ACDelco EP381 fuel pumps with the Pro Flo 4 system for a SBC. According to the Pro Flo 4 instructions the EFI system requires a minimum flow rate of 57 GPH. However, the FE0114 is rated at 32 GPH, and the EP381 is rated at 41 GPH; at least so far as I can find via Google.

For anyone who has a fuel system setup like this, have you had any issue with it? Are there other common fuel pumps I should consider instead?

Background:
I have a Pro Flo 4 installed on my truck's SBC 350 with Vortec heads. The kit came with 58 psi injectors as the only option for Vortec heads. I'm currently using Edelbrock's EFI Fuel Sump but I want to finish the conversion and reclaim space under the hood. I have new 20 gal '87 style EFI tanks. I am buying 1987 fuel senders, and had planned to buy two of either one of these pumps until I found this issue with fuel flow.

TommyGuns said:

I have seen several posts here where people used the Delphi FE0114 or ACDelco EP381 fuel pumps with the Pro Flo 4 system for a SBC. According to the Pro Flo 4 instructions the EFI system requires a minimum flow rate of 57 GPH. However, the FE0114 is rated at 32 GPH, and the EP381 is rated at 41 GPH; at least so far as I can find via Google.

For anyone who has a fuel system setup like this, have you had any issue with it? Are there other common fuel pumps I should consider instead?

Background:
I have a Pro Flo 4 installed on my truck's SBC 350 with Vortec heads. The kit came with 58 psi injectors as the only option for Vortec heads. I'm currently using Edelbrock's EFI Fuel Sump but I want to finish the conversion and reclaim space under the hood. I have new 20 gal '87 style EFI tanks. I am buying 1987 fuel senders, and had planned to buy two of either one of these pumps until I found this issue with fuel flow.

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Good luck finding an EP381 let alone for a decent price. I paid $62 for mine 7-8 yrs ago. Well over $100 now at only a few websites. If you've got a better source/price please post. I need to replace mine.

is this for a fuel injection vehicle?

EFI I would say yes.

Camar068 said:

Good luck finding an EP381 let alone for a decent price. I paid $62 for mine 7-8 yrs ago. Well over $100 now at only a few websites. If you've got a better source/price please post. I need to replace mine.

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I was actually looking at the Delphi FE0114, since it is more available. I had the same experience trying to find an EP381.

Scoggins Dickey still lists it at about $60. However, they have a complicated explanation for getting a shipping estimate. Seems like it comes directly from a 3rd party supplier.

Even if I go with the EP381, that pump is rated less than the "required" flow rate of 57 GPH per the Edelbrock Pro Flo 4 instructions.

I daily drive my square, so I converted to EFI for reliability and drivability. I sometimes have to leave for work for months at a time, so I need the truck to be turnkey drivable for my wife as well. Modern gas (even non-ethanol) and my truck's modified exhaust make running a carburetor a vapor lock nightmare. I just want to make sure I don't have to drop the tanks again in a few months because a pump died, or because the pump can't keep up with the fuel injectors.

I suspect a lower flow rate pump will be just fine, I just was hoping to confirm that with others who have done an EFI conversion. The Edelbrock forums also have some comments from people who have used an EP381 and don't seem to be having issues.

Edelbrock's instructions for the Pro Flo 4 target a 600 HP motor as a baseline, but I doubt my motor would make that kind of power. I didn't build my motor, I was told by the previous owner it had a "mild" cam in it, which make sense given how it idles at 650 RPM. However, it still looks like a bog standard Vortec 350. It runs good on regular gas, no detonation. It even has the V belts, no serpentine upgrade.

Thanks in advance for anything anyone else has to add.

Sorry I didn't read everything,when I'm in a similiar boat I look at required pressure rating,then I do the math in the very worst conditions, could the engine I'm running,burn more than 41 gallons per hour. If you are getting 2mpg and driving 80 miles per hour you need more pump. Build in a little cushion if you plan on getting 4 mpg or better,I'd do it.

I went with the EP381 but found something out - there are 2 different 381's and both are in Delco boxes.

One is the cheaper ebay ones made in China and (no surprise) have a ridiculous fail rate. The other are the $100+ ones made in Brazil.

Last I checked Autozone had the Brazilian made ones.

What about a Walbro? Genuine units are good, careful about buying on Amazon or something as the fakes are rampant. That said, I can't imagine either of the pumps listed wouldn't work for what you need.
If you have the front tank kit, have you looked to see which pump is in there, and if it might fit your sender in the replacement EFI tank? Just a thought if you don't have plans for that unit otherwise.

Hunter79764 said:

What about a Walbro? Genuine units are good, careful about buying on Amazon or something as the fakes are rampant. That said, I can't imagine either of the pumps listed wouldn't work for what you need.
If you have the front tank kit, have you looked to see which pump is in there, and if it might fit your sender in the replacement EFI tank? Just a thought if you don't have plans for that unit otherwise.

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Doesn't sound like he has anything in there at the moment - just using Edelbrocks add-on sump.

How much hp is the motor making. That dictates the size of the fuel pump.

Doppleganger said:

Doesn't sound like he has anything in there at the moment - just using Edelbrocks add-on sump.

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I read it as one of these guys under the hood right now, and he is looking to go with an 87 tank and fuel pump setup.
If he has something like this now, he can pull the pump itself out and see if it is the right size to go in the 87 hanger. You would just have to make sure that the 87 pickup sock is in the right place to have a seamless setup.

Hunter79764 said:

I read it as one of these guys under the hood right now, and he is looking to go with an 87 tank and fuel pump setup.

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If he has something like this now, he can pull the pump itself out and see if it is the right size to go in the 87 hanger. You would just have to make sure that the 87 pickup sock is in the right place to have a seamless setup.

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They're pretty big (gonna guess 8-10"L x 3"w x 6-8"h - when I bought mine, they had a deal where they included one (was $400 iirc) as a promo for an easy swap from carb to FI. I sold it to offset the cost of the system as I was going 87 tanks, senders and EP381's anyways.

A factory vortec era pump is perfectly fine for engines up to 400hp or so. What isn’t correct is the proflo 4 regulator you have. You should be running the 43psi regulator and corresponding base tune. The 58psi regulator / tune is for engines that make higher horsepower that most factory headed small blocks will make.