Fuel starvation, who else?

ChrisSlicks

Yeah, I think the simple baffle around the pickup could work for most of us. Although if you're building an all out race car you might as just replace the tank and the rest of the fuel system.

Paul@AEperformance

I aggree 100%. Travis is on to something. Defently worth trying that opton first b/c swirl pots and pumps can add up quick.

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alan93rsa

The 944 turbos and 968's have a quasi baffle around the pickup but they will do the same thing you are experiencing with the Z.

For my 944 turbo GT3S car I put in a surge tank. Get a 3.5 to 4" ID aluminum pipe and cut to length for your installation. A 3.5" x 12" tank will store about 0.5 gallons. TIG a plate on the top and bottom and add the connector bungs. I did the following: a line from the fuel tank to the surge tank top, a line out of the surge tank bottom to the fuel rail, a line out of the fuel rail to the pressure regulator, a line from the pressure regulator back into the surge tank top and then a return line from the surge tank top back to the fuel tank. I used braided stainless lines and AN fittings. It really isn't too hard to do.

I'll see if I can get a couple of photos of a friends car who has the same setup and post them.

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Mike

I would appreciate that. Filling up every session is kind of a PITA. My amex card doesn't like it when I use the same pump more than 3 times in a day.

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NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z
Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

KillerBee370

I haven't been paying much attention to this until now. I am heading to the track this Friday and I too have noticed with normal street driving, something that I can only describe as "fuel starvation" where the car will studder a bit at lower rpm's after I have hit redline and really got on it. If I push it into higher rpm's again, it will go away and pick up again like I got kicked in the ***.

Is this an accurate portrayal of what you guys are experiencing with the fuel starvation mode? I haven't been paying attention to the fuel tank level during these little episodes as I thought it was a bad fuel filter or something.


Dumb question...

This "fuel starvation mode" is triggered by the computer right? Is it safe to assume that since I already have an ecu tune on the car, that this problem can be addressed with further tuning? (As opposed to putting all that extra and no doubt expensive gear in the car)

ChrisSlicks

The fuel starvation is a mechanical issue, the fuel is pushed away from the pickup by cornering or acceleration forces. The starvation event can sometimes be delayed by a second or two, as you may have enough fuel in the lines to complete the corner but it dies at the end. It's not an ECU problem, although the ECU may prevent the engine from firing unless there is full fuel pressure, where as older models may have allowed the engine to fire.

KillerBee370

Thanks for the clarification ChrisSlicks. Why oh why do they not put the fuel pickup at the REAR of the damn tank?? Ummm Hellloooo

bucketman

Anybody heard anything else on this? I had a long day at the track today and started having fuel starvation problems around half a tank. Been filling up right before I get to the track, but after some extended track time today, tank started getting down to the problem level. Would love to see the trap around the fuel pump/pickup, seems like the easiest and most straight forward.

Island_370

Might be a stupid question.....
The pump and sending unit seem to leave a significant opening in the tank. The secondary pumps are certainly a sexy option, but why not just fill the tank with fuel cell foam? Should stabilize the fuel and it is way cheaper. Not going to be a perfect fix, but will certainly help.

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Island_370

After looking at the tank, it looks like if one of the "wells" of the fuel tank goes dry, it could cause an issue. I would think that either foam in the wells, or foam in the "bridge" part of the tank to prevent rapid transfer from one side to the other should help the situation.

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Autobahn Country Club (North and South Tracks), Blackhawk Farms, Grattan, Gingerman, Mid-Ohio, Putnam Park, Road America, Sears Point, Thunderhill, VIR and "The Ring"

Mike

I just fill up after every session and no more problem.

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NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z
Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

bucketman

Yeah, I had to go fillup to finish out the day. We had the track all to ourselves(me and 4 others) so they were not running the garage area. Had to leave the park drive 4 miles, fill up, and then return. But if this happens at 1/2 tank, I am just concerned when I go run something like the tail of the dragon, where it's damn inconvenent to fill up with quality fuel. Oh well I'll just keep watching to see if somebody comes up with something. Guess I'll cruise over to JB's build site to see if anythings new.

Valentino

New year bump.

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Lou Fusz Nissan | KW V3 | SPL rear camber and toe bolt | OS Giken LSD | Nismo Diff cover | Engine Oil cooler | F.I. TDX Cat Back 18" Resonators | F.I. Resonated Test Pipes | Injen cold air intake | COBB AccessPORT | JWT Clutch Flywheel |

B1nks

I too would love for a shop to take on this challenge.

Valentino

This thread should be a sticky till the problem gets solved.

Or we (hopefully) wait for a fix from Nissan in newer Module Z's and just replace the parts needed.

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Lou Fusz Nissan | KW V3 | SPL rear camber and toe bolt | OS Giken LSD | Nismo Diff cover | Engine Oil cooler | F.I. TDX Cat Back 18" Resonators | F.I. Resonated Test Pipes | Injen cold air intake | COBB AccessPORT | JWT Clutch Flywheel |