EFI Fuel Pump Options

[TravisB]

Hi guys. I wanted to gauge some interest on here and get some ideas about what you can do when LS swapping in a c10.

I am aware of the 87 tank and sending unit route with the EP381 pump. This appears to be the most common route that I have seen taken in the threads I have read.

However, are there other options? Cheaper options? Why is this one so popular? Why wouldn't a pump and filter plumbed in the original line not be more economical? I am just shopping around for ideas at this point.

 

[4WDKC]

Hi guys. I wanted to gauge some interest on here and get some ideas about what you can do when LS swapping in a c10.

I am aware of the 87 tank and sending unit route with the EP381 pump. This appears to be the most common route that I have seen taken in the threads I have read.

However, are there other options? Cheaper options? Why is this one so popular? Why wouldn't a pump and filter plumbed in the original line not be more economical? I am just shopping around for ideas at this point.

that is a factory replacement pump that meets the flow and pressure needed for a stock style swap. Internal pumps are nice because the gas keeps the pump cool and they are much harder to hear while driving. There are cheaper pumps that fit but do not supply enough pressure or gph of fuel. go look up prices on an external pump that is rated for 60 psi chances are they are not cheaper and probably much louder than in tank pumps. If you dont want to do dual pumps you could convert to the blazer tank and pump set up.. not sure its any cheaper.

 

[bucket]

Also, the non-baffled tanks used in the carb years can starve the pump of fuel and drastically shorten it's life. The long, narrow tank design has a lot of fuel slosh, so you would need to keep the level above 1/4 or more to keep the pump happy.

 

[Gvpdbish]

Hi guys. I wanted to gauge some interest on here and get some ideas about what you can do when LS swapping in a c10

Hey Travis B,
Before I found sponge Truck Square Body I researched this very issue of what to do for efi for a 2005 LS swap into a 1986 with the dual 16 gallon saddle tanks.
I will continue to search for ideas here, but here is the direction that I went so far.
The 1986 is a baffleless fuel tank, which means that any internal tank pump should have a baffle config, like the ones that come in a 2005, say... yukon. So I bought two. Havinf measured the depth for each, the 1986 tank and the 2005 tank. The 2005 in tank efi pump with sending jnit comes with a baffle which the pump is secured within, there are pickup and stabilizing posts on the unit which allow the unit to shrink and grow in height. This unit will fit to the height of the 1986 tank, however the flange opening is much smaller on the 1986 and will not fit the 2005 pump. So I am opening the tank to fit a custom made flange which I will bolt and seal onto the 1986 tanks, then factory fit the 2005 efi pump and sending units into each tank.
I will relay each of the conductors for the sending unit and pump power, controlling it with the electric tank selector in the cab.
There you have it, wish me luck!

 

[Gvpdbish]

Hi guys. I wanted to gauge some interest on here and get some ideas about what you can do when LS swapping in a c10

Hey Travis B,
Before I found sponge Truck Square Body I researched this very issue of what to do for efi for a 2005 LS swap into a 1986 with the dual 16 gallon saddle tanks.
I will continue to search for ideas here, but here is the direction that I went so far.
The 1986 is a baffleless fuel tank, which means that any internal tank pump should have a baffle config, like the ones that come in a 2005, say... yukon. So I bought two. Havinf measured the depth for each, the 1986 tank and the 2005 tank. The 2005 in tank efi pump with sending jnit comes with a baffle which the pump is secured within, there are pickup and stabilizing posts on the unit which allow the unit to shrink and grow in height. This unit will fit to the height of the 1986 tank, however the flange opening is much smaller on the 1986 and will not fit the 2005 pump. So I am opening the tank to fit a custom made flange which I will bolt and seal onto the 1986 tanks, then factory fit the 2005 efi pump and sending units into each tank.
I will relay each of the conductors for the sending unit and pump power, controlling it with the electric tank selector in the cab.
There you have it, wish me luck!

 

[Frankenchevy]

This has been discussed extensively before. The most simple and effective way is to run 1987 tanks with an ACDelco ep381 or Delphi 0114. Simple and done.

 

[dhenderz]

Holley just introduced this system for the 73 - 87 trucks. There are others who make similar retrofit systems, but this one is less money and can be used on the pre-87 tanks without baffles. I already purchased a model year correct (ie: non-baffled) tank for my 1977. I was planning to run a carb. But then decided to go with EFI. So I was stuck with making a decision on scrapping the brand new tank in order to upgrade to the 87 baffled version or one of the aftermarket systems with the in-tank pick up mats that prevent starvation. It was a tough choice because the costs, all in, was about the same either route. Now with this Holley system the math makes more sense to keep the non-baffled tank and just drop this system in...

https://www.holley.com/products/fue...uel_pumps/muscle_car_efi_modules/parts/12-308

 

[bluex]

Holley just introduced this system for the 73 - 87 trucks. There are others who make similar retrofit systems, but this one is less money and can be used on the pre-87 tanks without baffles. I already purchased a model year correct (ie: non-baffled) tank for my 1977. I was planning to run a carb. But then decided to go with EFI. So I was stuck with making a decision on scrapping the brand new tank in order to upgrade to the 87 baffled version or one of the aftermarket systems with the in-tank pick up mats that prevent starvation. It was a tough choice because the costs, all in, was about the same either route. Now with this Holley system the math makes more sense to keep the non-baffled tank and just drop this system in...

https://www.holley.com/products/fue...uel_pumps/muscle_car_efi_modules/parts/12-308

A brand new baffled 87 tank, sending unit, fuel filter and a Ep381 cost about $215 from Rock Auto. The main benefit to using those parts is they are readily available at most any parts store should you have an issue.

I drive my truck alot an on long trips so easy to get replacement parts are my main motivation when I'm doing something like this. I also ran all -AN lines an with the above tank setup, fittings/adapters and the line I have about $450 total in my fuel system.

Even with that hydramat thing i would still be worried about running it below 1/4. There's just to much slosh in a 73-87 tank imo.

 

[Wyttrash]

I came to this website for answers and it appears I’ve found them! I have an 83 with newer tanks, but not tanks for an 87. I also have a 91 Suburban tank and fuel sender. Would the pump in this Suburban tank be sufficient for a Holley Sniper or Fast efi system? Or does it need that EP381 pump? Thanks!

 

[Frankenchevy]

I came to this website for answers and it appears I’ve found them! I have an 83 with newer tanks, but not tanks for an 87. I also have a 91 Suburban tank and fuel sender. Would the pump in this Suburban tank be sufficient for a Holley Sniper or Fast efi system? Or does it need that EP381 pump? Thanks!

Tbi pump (87-95) won’t work. Needs to be vortec era or newer (96+).

 

[Wyttrash]

Tbi pump (87-95) won’t work. Needs to be vortec era or newer (96+).

Beautiful, thank you. And do I use the Vortec pump with the 91 Suburban sender? Or a complete Vortec pump and sending unit?

 

[Frankenchevy]

Beautiful, thank you. And do I use the Vortec pump with the 91 Suburban sender? Or a complete Vortec pump and sending unit?

The vortec pumps will hang on the tbi sender perfectly.

 

[Wyttrash]

Thank you!

 

[Gvpdbish]

This has been discussed extensively before. The most simple and effective way is to run 1987 tanks with an ACDelco ep381 or Delphi 0114. Simple and done.

Question...are the flanges the same size? If not is there a flange kit for adapting to a larger opening? Thanks

 

[Frankenchevy]

Question...are the flanges the same size? If not is there a flange kit for adapting to a larger opening? Thanks

What flange are you referring to? The sender is the same and the nipple on the fuel pump is the same or close enough to the sender’s line.

All you need is the 87 tank, 87 sender, efi pump a small piece of high pressure fuel line to connect the pump to the sender and a couple of fuel injection hose clamps. All the external fuel lines need to be adequate for 60psi+. I used NiCopp hardlines and Earl’s hose where necessary.