Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Fuel system question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 15, 2019 | 06:57 PM
  #1  
kipps's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 103
Likes: 3
From: north-central Virginia
Default Fuel system question

Putting an ls engine in a squarebody chevy truck with dual tanks. Doing a custom rewire, so none of the factory stuff applies. I was planning to do as the diagram shows, and whichever pump I switch on is the one that supplies the engine. I'm told that Ford trucks have done this in the 90's, but have not confirmed it.

If I proceed as shown, is there any possibility of over-pressurizing the fuel rail? Such as from underhood heat after cutting the engine off? Do in-tank pumps have any sort of emergency relief valve that I would be disabling by installing those check valves?

If you have any feedback on any other ways how to do this, let me know.

Last edited by kipps; Feb 15, 2019 at 07:04 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2019 | 10:02 PM
  #2  
s30.hybrid's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 339
Likes: 10
From: SF Bay Area
Default

Could you place the check valves upstream of the regulators and as close to the pumps as possible? That would minimize the amount of fuel line that would remain pressurized once the engine is turned off. Any under hood heat induced pressure could then relieve back to the tanks via the FPR returns. Just a thought...
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2019 | 11:48 AM
  #3  
gofastwclass's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,949
Likes: 28
From: KCMO
Default

I thought those trucks had a solenoid that switched between tanks and sending units. Why not use that or a similar setup from something newer with high pressure lines?

I would rethink your fuel pump choice if you are planning on running 58PSI of fuel for an LSx engine.
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2019 | 12:58 PM
  #4  
kipps's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 103
Likes: 3
From: north-central Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by gofastwclass
I thought those trucks had a solenoid that switched between tanks and sending units. Why not use that or a similar setup from something newer with high pressure lines?

I would rethink your fuel pump choice if you are planning on running 58PSI of fuel for an LSx engine.
I'm starting from scratch with the fuel system and wiring, so I don't need to go with the factory stuff. I'm also looking at what's the most dependable and simplest system available. The factory switching valves were not that.

Another expectation here is redundancy. If done correctly, the entire fuel system will be duplicated left and right; including fuses, pump relays, pumps, regulators, and filters. The only shared parts are the dash switch(which switches the ecm signal between the two relays) and the fuel rail itself.

A poster on another site(newagtalk.com) suggested using what's called a "shuttle valve" or "OR valve" in place of the two check valves. This valve has three ports, one chamber, and one ball that blocks off either of the two incoming ports. Basically, either pump can supply the fuel rail through this valve, and the valve blocks the non-pressurized pump line. Using this valve, there's always a pathway back to the tanks to accommodate bleed-back. This looks like a nearly perfect fit for my application. I'm just struggling at the moment to find one bigger than 1/4" that doesn't break the bank.

What's wrong with the ep381? I thought that was the fuel pump of choice for ls swaps. It was stock for the late 90's port injection gen one's, which expected 58 psi of fuel pressure.

Last edited by kipps; Feb 16, 2019 at 01:07 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2019 | 02:35 PM
  #5  
gofastwclass's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,949
Likes: 28
From: KCMO
Default

Gotcha.

I wasn't aware (having never owned a dual tank truck) the tank swap systems weren't reliable. Most times I saw someone with problems switching tanks it was because the second tank was simply empty. It was empty because they had already used the reserve and forgot to fill it. Happened enough times that certain people, myself included in the group would immediately ask "are you SURE the second tank is full" before trying to help repair the supposed problem.

I'm under the impression the 90's port injection stuff was at 3 bar or 43.5 PSI. at least I thought the stuff I worked on was but it's been a while. As far as I was aware the Gen III stuff was the first 4 bar or 58 PSI gas stuff from GM but I've been wrong before. I'm not saying your fuel pump choice won't work, my concern is a pump designed for x flow at y pressure is going to have a lower flow rate at a higher pressure. Most people I know use a 190 or 255 for stock and slightly modified LSx swaps. I believe the EP381 you listed is rated at 155 lph at 43.5 PSI.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:52 PM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE