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-   -   Fuel starvation, who else? (http://www.the370z.com/track-autocross-drifting-dragstrip/9674-fuel-starvation-who-else.html)

WWJD 09-06-2011 03:48 PM

I'm in... IF it works.

phunk 09-06-2011 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks (Post 1299868)
I'm definitely interested as long as there isn't too much added weight.

Chris: I put most of it on the scale and then tossed in some extras to attempt to simulate the components that arent ready to be weighed themselves yet. It looks like we will be 4-7 pounds. I believe under 5, but leaving room for the unknown.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinistr (Post 1299870)
I am ready...assuming the cost isn't astronomical.

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisjb (Post 1299900)
My setup gets me down 9 gallons from full but sure would be nice to be able to drive it all the way down to empty or close to it... count me in if it can do that, and if he stays on track with his price target.

9 Gallons down is pretty good, quite a length from stock. Thats about 10 left in the tank. We will see how far our product lets everyone go. As with anything, its not an easy comparison as every car and track is different. The more aggressive the car and the more wild the track, the more it will be working this product. Only time will tell what limits people find. Our hope is to get just about everyone to a pretty low tank level. I like to stay modest on our expectations and then surpass, rather than make promises and fall short. I am pretty good at this stuff, so I hope this one is another home run. We are very close now to track testing of the pre-production unit.

One thing that people DO need to keep in mind, is their poor stock fuel pump assembly. Our product targets resolving fuel pressure starvation to the engine. It DOES have a built-in secondary function that helps put more fuel back to the stock fuel pump assembly to keep that pump wet, but its focus is on the engine and only whats left over goes back to the stock pump assembly. Fuel pumps are not a fan of running dry. Starvation to the stock fuel pump assembly could shorten the life span of the factory pump. This is, of course, a relevent issue with any compariable type of surge solution for any vehicle. Its more just a heads up rather than a prediction of impending doom.

We are working on pricing more today. I am not sure when I quoted who what.. but we have gone through 3 different styles of solutions before picking this one, all of which have gone thru a few versions... so I cant recall at what point I estimated. I do know that the depth and refinement we have decided to take to the final product is going to make it cost a little more than we originally anticipated. We are going to build a little bit of detail into some of the "installation" components as well to try and make this as easy as possible to install correctly.. because there is room for error in making fuel line connections wrong, and in any combination other than "correct", will result in an unhappy driver.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WWJD (Post 1299971)
I'm in... IF it works.

We wont sell it if it doesnt!

ChrisSlicks 09-06-2011 04:20 PM

Sounds good, keep us updated.

travisjb 09-06-2011 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phunk (Post 1300043)
One thing that people DO need to keep in mind, is their poor stock fuel pump assembly. Our product targets resolving fuel pressure starvation to the engine. It DOES have a built-in secondary function that helps put more fuel back to the stock fuel pump assembly to keep that pump wet, but its focus is on the engine and only whats left over goes back to the stock pump assembly. Fuel pumps are not a fan of running dry. Starvation to the stock fuel pump assembly could shorten the life span of the factory pump. This is, of course, a relevent issue with any compariable type of surge solution for any vehicle. Its more just a heads up rather than a prediction of impending doom.

you are dead on here... at the track this weekend, the cheap OEM fuel sending unit on my car basically broke in half and sent the pump flying around inside my tank... and of course all the lines got pulled lose, and I lost all fuel delivery...

It is possible that there were errors when the assembly was reinstalled in my vehicle that contributed to the structural failure of the sending unit... also possible that it is a cheap plastic part and doesn't hold up to g-loads and the mass connected to it

hopefully you are including some reinforcement to the strength of the sending unit assembly

cossie1600 09-06-2011 06:55 PM

I broke a fuel baffle plate, not sure if that has anything to the cheap quality of the OEM tank/pump assembley

Elysium 09-06-2011 08:41 PM

Right now, I can only get through about a 15 minute session with the tank completely topped up. If the tank is down about half way it will even display the symptoms on mild right hand turns on the street so it's not just for use on the track for me.

SPOHN 09-07-2011 04:31 PM

Subscribing

phunk 09-07-2011 05:15 PM

I started working on installation/fitment/supporting components today. Basically starting to figure out the hoses, lengths, attachment points, etc, for all of this. I took some really cool videos from inside the gas tank as well. Really puts everything in perspective to get a view from inside the problem environment.

I dont envy the guys that work at shops that will have to install a bunch of these! Working thru these 4" diameter openings in the gas tank really sucks! We will be making some pretty clear instructions for those who want to do it at home also. It actually isnt anything that will require crazy tools or experience. Just a careful hand and patience with the frustrations of working inside a gas tank.

Mike 09-07-2011 05:42 PM

well I'm ready when you are. I have the interior out and ready to give it a shot. Will I need to drain the gas tank too?

phunk 09-07-2011 06:04 PM

it doesnt matter if the tank is empty or not... but the less gas in the tank, the less gas you will get all over yourself and your car. it would be recommended to have next to nothing in the tank.

Mike 09-07-2011 06:12 PM

ok, I will have to do some street driving then. Registration doesn't expire til the end of the month.

sig11 09-07-2011 06:18 PM

Are you going to be willing to do installs, phunk? Being so close by I may try to avoid playing with the fuel system myself. :)

phunk 09-07-2011 06:51 PM

Yes we will definitely setup a fair installation service for it. While we are not a tuning shop anymore, just a manufacturer... we do have a bay with a lift/etc for R&D. Not that a lift is needed for this install anyway, its all done from the interior access panels for the tank.

SPOHN 09-08-2011 05:27 AM

In case I missed it elsewhere is your upgrade going to include a better fuel pump itself?

phunk 09-08-2011 11:36 AM

Yes it does include its own fuel pump which will become the primary pump for the engine. The stock fuel pump will become simply a transfer pump, or an "active pickup" if you will. We are rating its HP potential to 550rwhp using gasoline. Later, when needed, we can offer an upgrade for it for those on a built motor with FI who want to make more power.

Our product is, in essence, a surge can. We sort of took that theory, expanded on it, and tailered it around the 370z. It is built specifically for the 370z gas tank, and mounts to it / inside it. It does not require a return fuel conversion and external regulator in order to keep the fuel siphons operating correctly like an external surge can would for these cars. And it does not maintain any pressure inside the can as a result of feeding the restrictive venturi siphons through overflow fuel, which is how we can feel comfortable putting it inside the gas tank. Because it is inside the gas tank, it includes one of its own very potent fill siphons on the drivers side of the tank, along with the stock fuel pump assembly on the passenger side being the major source of fill.

It does not require any plumbing changes outside of the fuel tank at all. Everything is happening inside the fuel tank. The only thing going on outside the tank is a relay and a few wires that route into the gas tank through an OEM quality electrical bulkhead to the new fuel pump.

So its like a surge tank on steroids. It has several additional features over your typical external surge can.

Our theory behind it involves 5 lines running back and fourth in the tank. 1 being the stock cross-tank siphon. which remains untouched. 4 that we add, all of which interface our product with the oem fuel pump assembly.

Thats about it for the info for now. We are actually working on it for other applications as well. We believe it will be a big hit, and we want to offer it for a few platforms very shortly after the 370z.


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