Tank replacement for EFI

[Kasey 1977 K10]

I swapped out my carb for a Sniper EFI. Was working great for the first 8 months but now I think my fuel pump is failing because it has been working extra hard due to its placement. I want to switch to EFI friendly tanks with built in fuel pumps (I have dual saddle tanks). I know there are a few places like Holley you can get these but at a cost. I'm wondering if I could use an OEM 1987 16 gal tank? Those have the pumps built in and are made to work with fuel injection as they have the baffles to eliminate fuel starvation. Anyone attempted this?

1977 Chevy K10 Shortbox

 

[CSFJ]

depends what pressure the sniper system needs to run. The factory '87 tbi pumps only run around 12psi. Not sure what's involved with swapping the pump to a newer higher pressure factory pump.

 

[Kasey 1977 K10]

depends what pressure the sniper system needs to run. The factory '87 tbi pumps only run around 12psi. Not sure what's involved with swapping the pump to a newer higher pressure factory pump.

Correct, I would need an aftermarket pump that supports 60 PSI and 255 L/H. I think that can be done if the '87 tank would fit on my '77 and the '87 sending unit is compatible. I believe they are the same as far as size and mounting goes. Conceptually I think it would work and I could save a bit of $. The Holley setups are over $500 each.

 

[bluex]

If you have a mostly stock motor order a pump for a 1996 C1500 with a 5.7. The AC Delco number is EP381. It will bolt on to the 87 model sending unit. This is what I have running on my truck with a Sniper in an 87 model tank. You will have to change the switching valve to handle the higher psi though. Just look up what guys that LS swap do to keep dual tanks an follow that. The Sniper and the LS both need 60 psi.

 

[Kasey 1977 K10]

If you have a mostly stock motor order a pump for a 1996 C1500 with a 5.7. The AC Delco number is EP381. It will bolt on to the 87 model sending unit. This is what I have running on my truck with a Sniper in an 87 model tank. You will have to change the switching valve to handle the higher psi though. Just look up what guys that LS swap do to keep dual tanks an follow that. The Sniper and the LS both need 60 psi.

This is great info! Thank you! I've actually already swapped out my switch to the one that comes with the sniper setup so that is already taken care of. Had to do this to support return lines since you pay an arm and a leg for older 6 port switches. Sounds like I could use '87 tanks, '87 sending units and attach the EP381 pumps to the OEM sending units and all should work with my '77?

 

[77 K20]

Replacing both tanks and getting 2 fuel pumps would certainly be a lot more "stock" looking.

If you have room underhood a few companies make a universal fuel sump. That is what I'm running. Price is around $300 I think. I kept my whole fuel system stock. My mechanical fuel pump then feeds this sump that has a Walbro electric fuel pump in it.

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[bluex]

This is great info! Thank you! I've actually already swapped out my switch to the one that comes with the sniper setup so that is already taken care of. Had to do this to support return lines since you pay an arm and a leg for older 6 port switches. Sounds like I could use '87 tanks, '87 sending units and attach the EP381 pumps to the OEM sending units and all should work with my '77?

Yes you can do that, its exactly what I did. Every thing brand new from rock auto was like $204 but I have a single tank so it would be double for you to do both.

 

[lcfman]

Hey 77K20 I was thinking about using Edelbrocks fuel sump for a tbi Holley sniper conversion. My question in reading Edelbrocks instructions for their fuel sump is where did you connect the return vent line as per their instructions?

 

[77 K20]

Sorry Icfman- just saw this now. I hooked up the return vent to the return line heading back to my gas tanks. (I have no charcoal canister or anything like that)

 

[Kasey 1977 K10]

This is great info! Thank you! I've actually already swapped out my switch to the one that comes with the sniper setup so that is already taken care of. Had to do this to support return lines since you pay an arm and a leg for older 6 port switches. Sounds like I could use '87 tanks, '87 sending units and attach the EP381 pumps to the OEM sending units and all should work with my '77?

If you have a mostly stock motor order a pump for a 1996 C1500 with a 5.7. The AC Delco number is EP381. It will bolt on to the 87 model sending unit. This is what I have running on my truck with a Sniper in an 87 model tank. You will have to change the switching valve to handle the higher psi though. Just look up what guys that LS swap do to keep dual tanks an follow that. The Sniper and the LS both need 60 psi.

Do you happen to have the Rock Auto part numbers for the tanks and sending units? About to put an order in and not sure which ones I need.

 

[bluex]

That depends on what side the tank is for

 

[Kasey 1977 K10]

That depends on what side the tank is for

Both. This is what I ordered so I hope I got it right. From my understanding the tanks are the same regardless of the side but the fuel sending units differ.

2 - ACDELCO - EP381 - Fuel Pump

2 - SPECTRA PREMIUM - GM11C - Fuel Tank

1 - SPECTRA PREMIUM - FG05M - Fuel Sending Unit

1 - SPECTRA PREMIUM - FG05N - Fuel Sending Unit

 

[Frankenchevy]

Both. This is what I ordered so I hope I got it right. From my understanding the tanks are the same regardless of the side but the fuel sending units differ.

2 - ACDELCO - EP381 - Fuel Pump

2 - SPECTRA PREMIUM - GM11C - Fuel Tank

1 - SPECTRA PREMIUM - FG05M - Fuel Sending Unit

1 - SPECTRA PREMIUM - FG05N - Fuel Sending Unit

Is your truck a short bed? Those are the 16 gallon tanks. The 20 gallon for a long bed is gm1c, iirc

Edit: read your first post. You’re good with those part numbers. I’d get the new straps, too. I think they’re st-01

 

[Frankenchevy]

Another thing I ran into was that the first two ep381 pumps I got looked used. I was told, possibly incorrectly, that they still have stock of ep381 at several parts suppliers, but that the pumps available going forward would be of the Delphi flavor instead.

 

[SquareRoot]

I used the Edelbrock remote sump under the hood of my 85 and kept everything else stock. Worked great without messing with the oem dual tank setup. The Sniper on the other hand turned out to be the biggest piece of **** ever sold...but that's another story.