Using fuel tank vent line as efi return line
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 1,304
From: Fleming Island, FL
I just asked because Detroit Diesel, Cummings, etc. mounts their ECM's to a cold plate that's mounted to the engine. The heat is removed by the circulation of fuel through the cold plate. And yes all Diesels return the fuel to the bottom of the tank. Otherwise you would have more foam than a head of beer that's improperly poured with diesel fuel.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,143
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
That sounds like a pretty good idea as per keeping it cool. Although I don't see any help with vibration. None the less, I'm not aware of any aftermarket EFI systems that have anything like that.
Back when I did my car, I looked at a fair few different systems and throttle bodys by several manufacturers.
Anything with a throttle body mounted ECU was dismissed straight away.
I'm a mechanic, I know better.
Back when I did my car, I looked at a fair few different systems and throttle bodys by several manufacturers.
Anything with a throttle body mounted ECU was dismissed straight away.
I'm a mechanic, I know better.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 1,304
From: Fleming Island, FL
Well some of those cold plates were were mounted to the engine using isolated which helps but didn't fully cut down on vibration. But to fair ECM failures were rare on class 8 truck engines.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 707
Likes: 147
From: St. Petersburg Florida
[QUOTE=4-vettes;1608781478]
Fair enough
And when those with way more experience actually give you good solid advice, Say Thank You.
Don't go off in a huff because you don't want constructive criticism.
Running your fuel through a undersized, rusty old vent line really doesn't make a lot of sense if you actually think about.
And any research at all on Installation of a EFI system will net you much information on the right way to do it.
If you started out with, " I'm thinking about installing a Fitech EFI system " "What's the best way to run a fuel system in my 1978 Corvette.
You would have gotten a lot of good advice. And not one person would tell you to put in a fuel command center.
People only do that because they don't want to put a pump in the tank and run new lines. In others words. They don't want to take the time to do it right!
Don't go off in a huff because you don't want constructive criticism.
Running your fuel through a undersized, rusty old vent line really doesn't make a lot of sense if you actually think about.
And any research at all on Installation of a EFI system will net you much information on the right way to do it.
If you started out with, " I'm thinking about installing a Fitech EFI system " "What's the best way to run a fuel system in my 1978 Corvette.
You would have gotten a lot of good advice. And not one person would tell you to put in a fuel command center.
People only do that because they don't want to put a pump in the tank and run new lines. In others words. They don't want to take the time to do it right!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,143
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
And I'm sorry if I came across a bit strong.
I'm a grumpy old man ya know.
But if you do go ahead with a Fitech based EFI system .
I can be a wealth of knowledge.
Let's shake hands and start over here.
I'm a grumpy old man ya know.
But if you do go ahead with a Fitech based EFI system .
I can be a wealth of knowledge.
Let's shake hands and start over here.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 707
Likes: 147
From: St. Petersburg Florida
Sounds Good. I have already purchased it and am preparing to start installing it this weekend. I'll cross my fingers and hope it works. I guess if the surge tank causes issues I can install an in tank pump to feed it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 886
Likes: 471
From: Central NJ
The surge tank is the number 1 reason for failure with aftermarket EFI systems. Absolutely the wrong way to do it.
the pump belongs in the fuel tank!
Using the vent line is also a really bad idea.
I am thinking that you wish to cut corners on this install. And then you will be the next one on line complaining that this aftermarket EFI stuff is garbage.
Don't be lazy! DO IT RIGHT the first time!
the pump belongs in the fuel tank!
Using the vent line is also a really bad idea.
I am thinking that you wish to cut corners on this install. And then you will be the next one on line complaining that this aftermarket EFI stuff is garbage.
Don't be lazy! DO IT RIGHT the first time!
I'm having a hard time believing that the number 1 reason for EFI failure is the surge tank. I would think it would be heat and vibration.
Some cars need the surge tank
, especially for high acceleration. It's not always a bad thing.
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Race Director
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
That's a whole different kettle of fish than these fuel command centers that the aftermarket EFI push as a simple way to get high pressure fuel to the fuel rail.
As per OP.
If I were you, I'd return that rubbish and just do your fuel system right the first time.
I had a good friend put on a Edlebrock EFI system about the time I installed mine. But of course he thought it would be easy to install one of those bloody fuel command centers.
He messed with and adjusted and messed with it
And ABSOLUTELY would not listen!
After about 18 months of asking for advice, and never once listening. He ripped it all off and went back to a carburetor.
Nice guy, really good amateur mechanic, restored 3 Corvette's . All that. Couldn't understand.
As per OP.
If I were you, I'd return that rubbish and just do your fuel system right the first time.
I had a good friend put on a Edlebrock EFI system about the time I installed mine. But of course he thought it would be easy to install one of those bloody fuel command centers.
He messed with and adjusted and messed with it
And ABSOLUTELY would not listen!
After about 18 months of asking for advice, and never once listening. He ripped it all off and went back to a carburetor.
Nice guy, really good amateur mechanic, restored 3 Corvette's . All that. Couldn't understand.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Like I have said about my '72 vert/vette ....the ONLY thing stock are the chrome bumpers.....
the roller 350 with AL. heads, roller cam, headers etc did have DPFI on it for many years...and about 1.5 years ago, due to age/my health/sight/etc I decided to go back to an AFB.....THAT after getting two cars published in car mags for running DPFI on them....
High Perf Pontiac was the first.....'70 LemansGTO/Vert..... 462 Pontiac engine, 400 turbo, 323 rear......Feb '95 issue I still have the induction and maybe even the old OEM Caddy computer that ran it.....
After that came my '72 Vette that I still have, the DPFI want on a few years later......about doubled the MPG.......published .....Corvette Fever.....
the roller 350 with AL. heads, roller cam, headers etc did have DPFI on it for many years...and about 1.5 years ago, due to age/my health/sight/etc I decided to go back to an AFB.....THAT after getting two cars published in car mags for running DPFI on them....
High Perf Pontiac was the first.....'70 LemansGTO/Vert..... 462 Pontiac engine, 400 turbo, 323 rear......Feb '95 issue I still have the induction and maybe even the old OEM Caddy computer that ran it.....
After that came my '72 Vette that I still have, the DPFI want on a few years later......about doubled the MPG.......published .....Corvette Fever.....