Acceleration Problem- Do I need a fuel cell?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: If you don't weigh in you don't wrestle Road America
Acceleration Problem- Do I need a fuel cell?
I have a 96 LT-4 and when I get a half a tank and less if I go around a corner and get on it or floor it at a stop sign it will hesitate and fall on it's face. It seems as though when I get on it I get air in the fuel line and the car will act as though the fuel cut-off is activated. The only thing I can think of is to get a fuel cell from Melrose T-tops so that I have a sump at the bottom that would prevent the fuel from moving away from the pickup. Anyone else have a problem like this? or is my car special? :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: St. louis, MO
Re: Acceleration Problem- Do I need a fuel cell? (96CollectorSport)
Anyone else have a problem like this? or is my car special? :D
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: If you don't weigh in you don't wrestle Road America
Re: Acceleration Problem- Do I need a fuel cell? (Gary96LT4)
Since the car isn't exactly stock that may change things (see sign HOT cam etc), but as far as the fuel system there is an adjustable fuel pressure regulator (set at 40 psi) and that's it, the PCM was reprogrammed but that wouldn't be affected by fuel level. I guess I could change the filter but that would usually only act up under higher revs where a faulty/dirty filter would be flowing the most fuel and act consistant. Once I get into 3rd or 4th I can take it right up to 6300. Maybe I should get a nice 1/2 fuel line so I know that there is no restriction from tank to engine. :thumbs:
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,978
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From: San Antonio Texas
Re: Acceleration Problem- Do I need a fuel cell? (96CollectorSport)
I'd look at the fuel pump and filter before buying a new tank. I've never heard of this with Corvettes, so you probably have a problem.
:chevy
:chevy
Safety Car
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From: Springfield VA
Re: Acceleration Problem- Do I need a fuel cell? (96CollectorSport)
I'm surprised that no one else has heard of this. A number of us that autocross locally have this problem regardless of the year of the C4. It does vary from car to car but most of the time it occurs when the car is down to 1/4 tank or less. There are no baffles in the stock tank and depending on the severity of the corner and g forces the gas sloshes.
I have to admit, I've never heard of it occuring from a dead stop (straight line acceration) and never with a half a tank of gas. Two remedys, most guys just make sure their tank is topped off. Some go the drastic route of getting a fuel cell like you mentioned.
As mentioned it is not so much the location of the pump but the design of the tank and no internal baffles.
I have to admit, I've never heard of it occuring from a dead stop (straight line acceration) and never with a half a tank of gas. Two remedys, most guys just make sure their tank is topped off. Some go the drastic route of getting a fuel cell like you mentioned.
As mentioned it is not so much the location of the pump but the design of the tank and no internal baffles.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,241
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From: Houston TX
Re: Acceleration Problem- Do I need a fuel cell? (96CollectorSport)
i'm puzzled as to why no one seems to have this problem. with auto-xers around here it's commonly known the C4 starves for fuel with less than 1/3-1/2 tank. i had the same problem.
i still have it, but not nearly as pronounced. now it takes 1/4 tank on the street, and 1/3 tank at events, before it starves while cornering. what i did was massage the bracket to hold the new walbro i installed as low as possible.
if i open tracked this car, a cell would be mandatory. otherwise i'd have to pit and fuel far too often. even as it is and without aggressive driving, i can starve it for fuel coming off a light and still only be able to put 17.5 gallons in.
fwiw, too, the sump in the tank seemed to be intact, nothing was wrong that i could see.
-michael
i still have it, but not nearly as pronounced. now it takes 1/4 tank on the street, and 1/3 tank at events, before it starves while cornering. what i did was massage the bracket to hold the new walbro i installed as low as possible.
if i open tracked this car, a cell would be mandatory. otherwise i'd have to pit and fuel far too often. even as it is and without aggressive driving, i can starve it for fuel coming off a light and still only be able to put 17.5 gallons in.
fwiw, too, the sump in the tank seemed to be intact, nothing was wrong that i could see.
-michael
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: OH
Re: Acceleration Problem- Do I need a fuel cell? (MSR)
I've never had it happen on the street, but at autocross I can easily have it happen any time I'm under 1/2 tank. It definately happen if I am 1/3 or less. Its not a good feeling. Not sure if there is any cheap solution other then just run with a full tank.
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Team Owner
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: Acceleration Problem- Do I need a fuel cell? (96CollectorSport)
This definitely sounds like a fuel delivery problem. As mentioned, look at fuel pressure to make sure it's right. While the fuel filter is supposed to last a long time, I would replace it. Not an easy job, but a clog in the filter will cause a reduction in both fuel volume and pressure.
Another thing to look at is the pump itself. There is a sock on the pick-up tube and that may be clogged or even damaged. There is also a possibility of sediment in the tank that could cause restrictions in the filter or pick-up sock.
With the pump assembly out, you should be able to use a flashlight and inspect the tank bottom. The tank is lined with a sealer so there may even be a possibility that some of it has come loose and is restricting the flow to the pick-up.
I have run below a 1/4 tank at some autocross event and not had any stumbling problems. I even ran out of gas once in my 92 and there was no stumbling until the tank was empty.
Another thing to look at is the pump itself. There is a sock on the pick-up tube and that may be clogged or even damaged. There is also a possibility of sediment in the tank that could cause restrictions in the filter or pick-up sock.
With the pump assembly out, you should be able to use a flashlight and inspect the tank bottom. The tank is lined with a sealer so there may even be a possibility that some of it has come loose and is restricting the flow to the pick-up.
I have run below a 1/4 tank at some autocross event and not had any stumbling problems. I even ran out of gas once in my 92 and there was no stumbling until the tank was empty.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Taxahoma
Re: Acceleration Problem- Do I need a fuel cell? (c4cruiser)
Doing it at a half tank I would almost suspect that the tube with the screen at the end has completely come off. If it's like alot of other cars the tube comes off pretty easy by hand, at least on the ones i've done before (non vette). The pump will burn out pretty quick doing that, free spinning a pump it will actually start smoking in less than 5 seconds.
[Modified by Black87c4, 8:17 AM 3/11/2004]
[Modified by Black87c4, 8:17 AM 3/11/2004]
Team Owner
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From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Acceleration Problem- Do I need a fuel cell? (Black87c4)
Have you guys ever stomped on the gas with half to 1/4 a tank? It doesn't cut out on you? Almost everyone knows these cars have a crappy fuel delivery system under power.
What your feeling is normal for All C4's. I have heard of people installing a fuel resevior or somthing like that to take fuel up into a seperate take so the car basically has two sources under this high load. Do a search. :yesnod:
What your feeling is normal for All C4's. I have heard of people installing a fuel resevior or somthing like that to take fuel up into a seperate take so the car basically has two sources under this high load. Do a search. :yesnod:
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: If you don't weigh in you don't wrestle Road America
Re: Acceleration Problem- Do I need a fuel cell? (Black87c4)
I've replaced pumps before so it wouldn't be to difficult to check it, I was just curious if anyone else was experiancing this, I have drag radials that I run on the street so it launches pretty hard (for the street). I'll have to check out the pump assembly and sock, so time to get out the tool box. Thanks Guys! :thumbs:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Acceleration Problem- Do I need a fuel cell? (Black87c4)
I can stomp on it with only 1 bar showing, never has done it to me yet.
Any Idea on what to replace? The fuel pump?
[Modified by VictorRussell'92, 8:42 AM 3/11/2004]
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Taxahoma
Re: Acceleration Problem- Do I need a fuel cell? (VictorRussell'92)
I've never tried to hard corner it with it that low but straight line never a problem, slighty less than 1/4 never had a problem with hard cornering. Probably a design flaw in the tank, i've had others do that with less than a 1/4 tank but 1/2 tank something is wrong there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 981
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From: Anderson South Carolina
Re: Acceleration Problem- Do I need a fuel cell? (96CollectorSport)
Your problem is very common on ALL C-4's, we don't run our '89 on the track unless the tank is full, we never let the tank get less than 1/4 down.
We have been running with C-4's for years and they all have the same problem.
If you are driving the car on the street you would probablt never encounter the problem, however, if you autocross or road race, you will have the problem.
vettmike
Anderson, SC
We have been running with C-4's for years and they all have the same problem.
If you are driving the car on the street you would probablt never encounter the problem, however, if you autocross or road race, you will have the problem.
vettmike
Anderson, SC
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 981
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From: Anderson South Carolina
Re: Acceleration Problem- Do I need a fuel cell? (96CollectorSport)
Your problem is very common on ALL C-4's, we don't run our '89 on the track unless the tank is full, we never let the tank get less than 1/4 down.
We have been running with C-4's for years and they all have the same problem.
If you are driving the car on the street you would probably never encounter the problem, however, if you autocross or road race, you will have the problem.
vettmike
Anderson, SC
We have been running with C-4's for years and they all have the same problem.
If you are driving the car on the street you would probably never encounter the problem, however, if you autocross or road race, you will have the problem.
vettmike
Anderson, SC
