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Im installing a fuel cell into my 01 Blazer 4.6 for a demo derby. Anyone have information regarding what needs to be hooked up. Or a step by step guide. Old tank is already dropped out.
Information Im looking for, size of external fuel pump I need/flow rate. Any electrical things that need to be hooked up besides a fuel pump. How can I run power to it, straight from the battery with a switch? All insight would be great. Thanks.
You also need a return line to dump fuel back into the tank from the pressure regulator (on the spider inside the intake manifold) or it won't run. Should be able to tap into the lines going back to the tank, but your connection and hose from pump to intake manifold will need to hold 60 psi. Be careful! Maybe adapt at the factory fuel filter fitting instead of cutting the line. I think there are some adapter part numbers in the fuel pressure sticky at the top of the second gen forum.
You will need to run cables from your battery inside the vehicle to the factory locations on the starter and engine. Rest of wiring needs to stay intact for the PCM to run the engine. Put the battery inside an enclosed-top battery box so acid can't get on you if battery case is broken for any reason.
You also need a return line to dump fuel back into the tank from the pressure regulator (on the spider inside the intake manifold) or it won't run. Should be able to tap into the lines going back to the tank, but your connection and hose from pump to intake manifold will need to hold 60 psi. Be careful! Maybe adapt at the factory fuel filter fitting instead of cutting the line. I think there are some adapter part numbers in the fuel pressure sticky at the top of the second gen forum.
You will need to run cables from your battery inside the vehicle to the factory locations on the starter and engine. Rest of wiring needs to stay intact for the PCM to run the engine. Put the battery inside an enclosed-top battery box so acid can't get on you if battery case is broken for any reason.
Battery is good to go. I ran cable from the original terminal connections through the firewall to the passenger floor where my battery box is mounted.
For fuel, I snipped all three lines right at the tank when I dropped the factory one out. Feed, return and vent line. Also unplugged whatever electrical connection there was. Im guessing that was for the intank fuel pump.
As far as reattaching goes are you saying use the current factory line installed from the manifold to fuel filter? Or remove the filter and utilize that connection point for my new fuel pump? Then I can just run a new piece of line from the fuel cell to the pump.
remove the filter and utilize that connection point for your new fuel pump if you can. Adapt it in place of the filter if that makes sense.
Any time you can avoid using hose and keep a metal line that is best when dealing with the high pressure side of the fuel system. You will want to keep the fuel cell ahead of the rear axle.
Demo Derbys are big fun but some seem to have become pretty professional these days. Hard to compete with some guys.
Back in the 70's we typically had over 200 cars at our county fair, running maybe 5 heats per night + a consolation heat and a final. Would go from 7pm to midnight on 2 nights. Most fun was getting some local girls involved to help paint and then a buddy and I would give them rides on back country roads. Lots of fun when you aren't afraid to bang it up a bit. Also you have a cheering section when derby night comes. But that was a long time ago in a small town in Iowa, when I was MUCH younger! I still go to a demo derby each year at the 4-H fair in Berrien Springs MIchigan. They have an indoor facility and reserved seats, high above the mud spray and in the center of the track with a backrest and a big fan!
remove the filter and utilize that connection point for your new fuel pump if you can. Adapt it in place of the filter if that makes sense.
Any time you can avoid using hose and keep a metal line that is best when dealing with the high pressure side of the fuel system. You will want to keep the fuel cell ahead of the rear axle.
Demo Derbys are big fun but some seem to have become pretty professional these days. Hard to compete with some guys.
Back in the 70's we typically had over 200 cars at our county fair, running maybe 5 heats per night + a consolation heat and a final. Would go from 7pm to midnight on 2 nights. Most fun was getting some local girls involved to help paint and then a buddy and I would give them rides on back country roads. Lots of fun when you aren't afraid to bang it up a bit. Also you have a cheering section when derby night comes. But that was a long time ago in a small town in Iowa, when I was MUCH younger! I still go to a demo derby each year at the 4-H fair in Berrien Springs MIchigan. They have an indoor facility and reserved seats, high above the mud spray and in the center of the track with a backrest and a big fan!
first time for you?
This will be my 5th event. But its all locals. Sort of an underground society that I found out about. All run on private property. This is my first time building my car though, Ive been just running spares that people have for different classes. As far as powering the pump goes, just the 12v from the battery will suffice correct? Just run the wires with a toggle switch to the battery itself.
Permanent install I would use a relay, but for your purposes 14-16 gauge wire and a HD toggle should work fine. Solder terminals (no crimp on terminals). And screw terminals are best for security. You wont go far if it comes loose. Good luck and best wishes. Post a video when you run it!
01 Fuel Cell Install
