Minimum fuel level when boosted
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
Minimum fuel level when boosted
Stock fuel pump, BAP. Z06
what is the minimum fuel level I should maintain if planning on getting into boost or going WOT.
I've heard that tank slosh can be an issue. I've been told 1/4 a tank and even 1/2 a tank (dont boost if below)
haven't been able to find much info about this online.
any words of wisdom?
Thank you all!
- Nate
what is the minimum fuel level I should maintain if planning on getting into boost or going WOT.
I've heard that tank slosh can be an issue. I've been told 1/4 a tank and even 1/2 a tank (dont boost if below)
haven't been able to find much info about this online.
any words of wisdom?
Thank you all!
- Nate
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 111
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
If its a stock pump, the it is inside a bucket that is constantly being filled from the returned fuel from filter and other tank. You shouldnt have a problem boosting until less than 1/8 of a tank. As long as it is not extended pulls for like 15 secs. If extended pulls then have at least 1/4.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
Ok, that sounds a little more reasonable. Thank you. Of course I'll be sure you be careful reguardless.
And yes, I'll probably look into installing those as well as a boost gauge
- nate
And yes, I'll probably look into installing those as well as a boost gauge
- nate
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,480
Likes: 62
From: Middletown DE
Depends 
. Have you been driving for long period of time and now at 1/4? I'd say don't get on it, as pump could/would be fairly hot due to running a while and fuel may now be heated up as well (lack of pump cooling ). Could affect pump performance.
If cold start up situation, 1/4 is fine.
I've killed a few pumps over the years running the tank low. I try to keep it at least half if driving more than :30 minutes.
The Lpe 255 I have now is prob 8 years old with 50+k on it. Knock on wood, keeping fuel levels in check are keeping it happy!!!
. Have you been driving for long period of time and now at 1/4? I'd say don't get on it, as pump could/would be fairly hot due to running a while and fuel may now be heated up as well (lack of pump cooling ). Could affect pump performance.If cold start up situation, 1/4 is fine.
I've killed a few pumps over the years running the tank low. I try to keep it at least half if driving more than :30 minutes.
The Lpe 255 I have now is prob 8 years old with 50+k on it. Knock on wood, keeping fuel levels in check are keeping it happy!!!
Last edited by SmoothFRC; Aug 13, 2017 at 09:55 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,221
Likes: 899
From: CA
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '08
I've been running a supercharger on my C5 for over a dozen years, here's my take...
Yes, gages are critical, I have them all, but it's not always possible to look over at said gages when the go pedal is to the floor... Detonation from lack of fuel can happen VERY quickly.
I also agree that different types of driving, (long hot hard canyon runs or road racing) vs 1/4 mile or even half miles pulls, have different fuel demands. Hot fuel after 30 to 40 minutes of hard driving, while going around corners and "sloshing" the fuel, creates a situation whereby fuel cavitation or starvation can occur if you let the tank run down too low.
How low is too low, for me, I stay above 1/2 tank when Road racing, certainly above 3/8 when running the canyons hard...
I have a VERY modified fuel system, that utilizes 2 Walboro 450 pumps, each one inside a stock fuel canister, one in each tank, the passengers side has a hob switch to engage, and while I do have a cross over pipe, my system will not allow me to run quite as low as the stock set up.
The stock set up has a pump in the canister in the drivers tank, and a venturi type pump in the passengers tank that allows fuel to move to the drivers tank from the passenger's, thereby emptying the passengers tank first...
Yes, gages are critical, I have them all, but it's not always possible to look over at said gages when the go pedal is to the floor... Detonation from lack of fuel can happen VERY quickly.
I also agree that different types of driving, (long hot hard canyon runs or road racing) vs 1/4 mile or even half miles pulls, have different fuel demands. Hot fuel after 30 to 40 minutes of hard driving, while going around corners and "sloshing" the fuel, creates a situation whereby fuel cavitation or starvation can occur if you let the tank run down too low.
How low is too low, for me, I stay above 1/2 tank when Road racing, certainly above 3/8 when running the canyons hard...
I have a VERY modified fuel system, that utilizes 2 Walboro 450 pumps, each one inside a stock fuel canister, one in each tank, the passengers side has a hob switch to engage, and while I do have a cross over pipe, my system will not allow me to run quite as low as the stock set up.
The stock set up has a pump in the canister in the drivers tank, and a venturi type pump in the passengers tank that allows fuel to move to the drivers tank from the passenger's, thereby emptying the passengers tank first...
