[HawkX66]

While I'm getting my motor together, I'm trying to lock down my fuel delivery set up. Is there any reason I wouldn't want to use this tank on my mildly built carb'd 454?

https://www.amazon.com/Spectra-Prem...refinements=p_89:Spectra+Premium&dpID=41Rs8V8KYfL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Also, the fuel pump set up looks awfully close to the stock sized fuel pick up. Has anyone tried one?

https://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/HC/14020-09137742.html

Spectra by Dave H, on Flickr


What I'm trying to accomplish here is a stealth electric fuel pump without the not so stealthy $500-$1,000 cost.
I want to use AN fittings and fuel line from the tank and connect it to the fuel line that normally goes from the mechanical fuel pump to the carb. There will be a regulator in line somewhere too along with an in car gauge.

 

[ilikeike]

Never seen that one, are you saving $ over the popular Tanks inc. setup ?

 

[dhutton]

Cheaper at Rock Auto plus member discount:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...t,1969,camaro,5.7l+350cid+v8,1034738,fuel+&+air,fuel+tank+&+pump+assembly,17130

Generally speaking you don’t want to use an EFI pump for a carb but I will defer that discussion to the experts.

Don

 

[Everett#2390]

I agree with Don, too much for a carb.
Youy can use a Holley 802 set-up, pump and regulator, for a carb.
And, if you want, you can have a return line to tank preventing vapor lock during the summer.
Moroso makes/markets a return line fitting going between the fill tube and tank, easy set-up.
An ign controlled relay for pump power is the best way to go.

 

[Smitty68]

Tanks inc. offers any size pump even if it’s an EFI tank set up. A return is always a good thing for vapor lock but not a necessity either. John has set many up using the vette style pump/regulator combo that would work just as good. You can get all fittings tank 90ohms sending unit and pump for less than $600. That includes straps, neck rubber connection hose, clamps and anti squeak pads for the tank.
Just a thought.

 

[Vega$69]

If I understand you want to run an EFI style in tank pump for your carbed BBC.

You can do it with a bypass regulator set to your desired fuel pressure.

Pumps put out volume of fuel rates in either pound or liters per hour. I would think a 255L pump and a good bypass reg like Fuelab would work.

I would call them to make sure as efi we run 58 psi and carbed you want probably 6-8

 

[ilikeike]

I have the tanks inc. set up, I used it for a Holley Terminator EFI, I now have a carburetor, all I did was change the regulator. It's worked great for over a year.

 

[HawkX66]

Thanks for all the comments guys. Exactly John. An EFI tank/pump for a carb set up.
There's definitely a million ways to do this, but I'm just trying to keep the costs down. There's nothing wrong with running an EFI pump with a regulator and a return. The Spectra tank and pump will work, but I was just trying to see if I could fit the fuel pick up they sell for $114 into their stock replacement tank that I already have. I talked to them and they claim it won't work because the tank doesn't have some sort of protection inside. I'd just like to know if it will physically fit like a stock one.
I have a Mallory 250 pump, a Holley red, Holley black etc. I would like to avoid having the external pump if I can. The Mallory is way too big, but it will work with a return. I don't want to run the Holley pumps.
I'll check out the Tanks Inc. set up, but I think it's a lot more money if I remember right.
Thanks for reminding me about Rock Auto Don. MUCH cheaper. $276 with shipping after the 5% discount code. I don't think I'll be getting any cheaper than that. Spectra is always excellent Canadian made quality too. I think I'll go ahead and order that one.

 

[tp_smith]

Mr. Dave,

Spectra Tanks had a problem of pump cavatation. You could never allow the tank be half empty or go around a sharp curve. If you did, the pump would suck air.

I think Spectra knows of the problem and attempted to fix the problem with a newer generation of tanks. Check to make sure. Don't buy an old tank.

If you want a fuel injection tank look at all the other options. I bought a tank called Restomod tanks. It cost about $375.00 for just the tank. It uses a modern style GM fuel module that can be bought at a auto parts store in case something breaks.

You can use a fuel injection type pump with a carb. You have to buy a regulator that is adjustable so that you can throttle back the pressure. The regulator is going to return a lot of gas back to the tank in this scenario. All this recirculating gas is going to make the fuel hot, which as you know, is not a good thing.

 

[dhutton]

Mr. Dave,

Spectra Tanks had a problem of pump cavatation. You could never allow the tank be half empty or go around a sharp curve. If you did, the pump would suck air.

I think Spectra knows of the problem and attempted to fix the problem with a newer generation of tanks. Check to make sure. Don't buy an old tank.

If you want a fuel injection tank look at all the other options. I bought a tank called Restomod tanks. It cost about $375.00 for just the tank. It uses a modern style GM fuel module that can be bought at a auto parts store in case something breaks.

You can use a fuel injection type pump with a carb. You have to buy a regulator that is adjustable so that you can throttle back the pressure. The regulator is going to return a lot of gas back to the tank in this scenario. All this recirculating gas is going to make the fuel hot, which as you know, is not a good thing.

Patrick is right about cavitation but it’s not such a big deal with a carburetor because the fuel bowl acts as a buffer. Unless you are racing and running long sweeping curves.

Don

 

[130fe]

Dave, are you running a stock tank? If so, I would consider one of these-

https://www.holley.com/products/fue.../fuel_pumps/efi_fuel_pumps/efi_in-tank_pumps/255_lph_oem_style_efi/parts/12-300

 

[HawkX66]

Mr. Dave,

Spectra Tanks had a problem of pump cavatation. You could never allow the tank be half empty or go around a sharp curve. If you did, the pump would suck air.

I think Spectra knows of the problem and attempted to fix the problem with a newer generation of tanks. Check to make sure. Don't buy an old tank.

If you want a fuel injection tank look at all the other options. I bought a tank called Restomod tanks. It cost about $375.00 for just the tank. It uses a modern style GM fuel module that can be bought at a auto parts store in case something breaks.

You can use a fuel injection type pump with a carb. You have to buy a regulator that is adjustable so that you can throttle back the pressure. The regulator is going to return a lot of gas back to the tank in this scenario. All this recirculating gas is going to make the fuel hot, which as you know, is not a good thing.

Patrick is right about cavitation but it’s not such a big deal with a carburetor because the fuel bowl acts as a buffer. Unless you are racing and running long sweeping curves.

Don

Good info Patrick. Thank you. I'll keep an eye out for it. After your post I did a little reading up on it and it looks like it was a problem that's since been addressed. The new tanks seem to have a real nice baffle system etc that took care of it. What Don mentioned is my case also. I might make a couple runs at the track (1/4 mile), but other than that I don't plan on running it too hard.
Also, a lot of people I saw have replaced the pump in this tank. Sounds like it's a common size and easy to do.

Dave, are you running a stock tank? If so, I would consider one of these-

https://www.holley.com/products/fue.../fuel_pumps/efi_fuel_pumps/efi_in-tank_pumps/255_lph_oem_style_efi/parts/12-300

That's definitely a nice looking pump. I like how you don't have to run a return with it. The price is a little rough for just the pump and sending unit, but it is a nice option. The only thing I don't like is the lack of baffling if you run a stock tank with it. After doing a lot of reading, I realized that can be a big issue. I already ordered the Spectra tank and pump so I'm hopeful that will do the trick. I think it will. Especially with me running carburation like Don mentioned.

Here are a couple pics of the tank I found. The baffling rises up to within 2" of the top of the tank. I think only the hard core racers will have an issue with this set up.

Spectra_FP_2_ACDelco_001a by Dave H, on Flickr

Spectra_FP_2_ACDelco_007a by Dave H, on Flickr

Spectra_FP_2_ACDelco_006a by Dave H, on Flickr

 

[dhutton]

That's definitely a nice looking pump. I like how you don't have to run a return with it. The price is a little rough for just the pump and sending unit, but it is a nice option. The only thing I don't like is the lack of baffling if you run a stock tank with it. After doing a lot of reading, I realized that can be a big issue. I already ordered the Spectra tank and pump so I'm hopeful that will do the trick. I think it will. Especially with me running carburation like Don mentioned.

No baffles needed with the Holley Hydramat. It soaks up fuel and acts as a sump within the tank. Very clever and is what is driving the higher price of that Holley setup.

Don

 

[130fe]

No baffles needed with the Holley Hydramat. It soaks up fuel and acts as a sump within the tank. Very clever and is what is driving the higher price of that Holley setup.

Don

Like Don said, it also includes the built in pressure regulator (58 PSI, common for LS and other self tuning EFI setups including The FITech and Holley Sniper). If you have already bought the Tanks, Inc unit, then this one is a not a consideration for you. I wished they would have had this several years ago, would have been a consideration when I did my swap.

 

[HawkX66]

No baffles needed with the Holley Hydramat. It soaks up fuel and acts as a sump within the tank. Very clever and is what is driving the higher price of that Holley setup.

Don

Like Don said, it also includes the built in pressure regulator (58 PSI, common for LS and other self tuning EFI setups including The FITech and Holley Sniper). If you have already bought the Tanks, Inc unit, then this one is a not a consideration for you. I wished they would have had this several years ago, would have been a consideration when I did my swap.

Very cool indeed. I believe that's one of the things Spectra also added to address the cavitation issues they were having. Might not be as nice though.

Spectra SP177A1H2 by Dave H, on Flickr

Spectra SP177A1H3 by Dave H, on Flickr

Spectra SP177A1H by Dave H, on Flickr

 

[dhutton]

Very cool indeed. I believe that's one of the things Spectra also added to address the cavitation issues they were having. Might not be as nice though.

Spectra SP177A1H2 by Dave H, on Flickr

Spectra SP177A1H3 by Dave H, on Flickr

Spectra SP177A1H by Dave H, on Flickr

That is just a filter, not a Hydramat.

Don

 

[Vega$69]

Dave, are you running a stock tank? If so, I would consider one of these-

https://www.holley.com/products/fue.../fuel_pumps/efi_fuel_pumps/efi_in-tank_pumps/255_lph_oem_style_efi/parts/12-300

$329 is pretty steep but if you already have a good tank not a bad option. You will also need to add a fuel filter in line

The "expensive" fuel pressure reg they refer to in their advertisement only cost $35 if you use the Corvette Filter/Reg.

The Pump itself is the same Walbro 255L that Tanks uses that sell for $220

If you have to buy a new tank then it all adds up to about the same cost

 

[HawkX66]

That is just a filter, not a Hydramat.

Don

Gotcha. Wasn't sure if it was just the sock or not. It looked like it might be something like the Hydramat.

 

[Vega$69]

Holley Hydramat

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/..._-srese1-_-holley&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3N-a3PXr2QIVhIp-Ch1SFg3JEAQYAiABEgJz1fD_BwE

 

[HawkX66]

Holley Hydramat

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/..._-srese1-_-holley&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3N-a3PXr2QIVhIp-Ch1SFg3JEAQYAiABEgJz1fD_BwE

Pretty cool, but ouch. I think I'll stick with the Spectra set up for this project.