Auto Parts: Fuel Pump, airtex fuel pump, fuel injection systems

Question
QUESTION: I'm looking for a submergible fuel pump for a test stand we have here at work that can handle about 80psi or more. We have currently on our stand a Toyota Fuel Pump (approx. 1987) and can only handle about 40 psi, we used to have a Mallory Comp Pump on it but is being sent back again because it fails to work. If I can find a pump that would be a direct replacement of one that would go into a vehicle my boss is thinking it should be more durable. Any suggestions? Thank you!

ANSWER:      Most OEM fuel injection systems use a pressure around 40-45 PSI.  There are some, particularly European makes, that operate at much higher pressures.  You don't say what your flow requirements are.  If they are fairly low there shouldn't be a problem.  If high flow rates are needed you may have to use a racing pump.  Racing pumps are not all that durable, though, as you have found.  If I was looking at this project, I would ask a local parts jobber to get me a copy of the Airtex™ fuel pump catalog.  It has illustrations as well as flow ratings and working pressures in an appendix.  I am certain that something in there would do the job for you.  Other brands which might help are Carter™ and Standard Motor Products™.

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QUESTION: Our fuel requirements vary because we use the same dyno and fuel system for different vehicles. Now that the stand needs updated it also needs to gone over again. The 40psi was ok with the vehicles we used to run on it but with new customers and new test specs things have changed, also for the new and foreign vehicles that we now run a higher flow rate is needed.

Are you familiar with any of the fuel pumps for European makes? I'm requesting an Airtex fuel pump catalog now, so that should help. Thank you!!!

Answer
    Every modern vehicle has a pump unique unto itself.  That is why I recommend the catalog, it will have the information that you need.  There are two reasons that modern pumps are mounted in the bottom of the tank.  First is that the surrounding fuel helps to cool the pump motor.  The other reason is that these pumps are designed to push fuel; they do a very poor job of pulling (sucking) it.  By putting the pump in the lowest spot on the car this problem is alleviated.  I have seen a lot of dyno cells that were designed for the testing of carburetor-equipped cars.  They generally have a fuel tank mounted above the engine, allowing gravity to assist in the pushing of the fuel.  I doubt that this would work as well on the engines you are testing.  In a fuel-injected car the pump is actually part of the system, not a means of supplying fuel to an independent delivery system.  The venting of the tank (evaporative control system) is also part of the deal, including the fuel-return from the regulator.  Some newer cars (Chrysler in particular) have a no-return pump which operates at very low flow rates.  These cars have a fuel filter built into the pump; if it clogs the whole pump must come out.  I wish you luck with this problem, I'm sure that there is something out there that will do the job.  You might want to consult Aeromotive™, they do very high quality racing fuel systems and may be able to make some recommendations.