Trap Door Fuel Pump Swap: Pictures and How-To

[meissen]

Alright guys - I have to say, the trap door method is so damned easy I think it's definitely worth it. We had the fuel pump exposed and ready to start disconnecting everything within 15 minutes. Can't hang the rear end, drop the exhaust, and drop the tank in that amount of time.

We loosely followed the combined directions that Racetronix sent with their pump as well as the how-to found here:
http://www.geocities.com/formulapower2/fuelpump.html

My dad used a 6" cutoff wheel to cut through the floor pan. I let him do it. While it was scary that it was shooting all the sparks out, I kept telling myself "Tons of people have done this, I've never heard of anyone having a fire..." over and over again. Once we had the pump exposed, it was a pretty straight forward job. We took our time and goofed around a lot, but all in all it was pretty easy. The only problem that we really encountered was that the hole we cut did not really give us a lot of room to get to the two fuel lines that had the squeeze connections. It wasn't too bad, though, and we got it done. I went from dropping to 20psi at WOT to staying at 42psi (even looked like it was going UP in fuel pressure at WOT).

And now the pictures -





We spritzed the floor pan down to help cut down a tiny tad on the sparks.




Fuel pump assembly exposed - dad giving his input in the first pic.




Hasn't seen sunlight in 15 years


Soldering/melting the fuel pump bucket together again:


Connecting the two fuel lines again:



Painted the exposed edge with chassis coat just to make sure there was no possibility of rust:


Galvanized steel cover - 20x #8 1/2" screws


All done! Can't even tell the trap door is there.

[Elliott87iroc]

looking good.

[MP81]

I came over to watch Brian and Larry do this, since I really wanted to see how it was done, plus it's always cool to hang out over there. Listening to the two bicker always is funny.

Took some pictures as well.

There's a hole in your trunk, Brian.


Wait, there it is:


Automatic Lowering...



Disconnecting the lines:


Pulling the pump assembly out:



It's out!


Lubing up the new O-Ring. Oh yeaaaaah:



Brian looks confused here...or amused:



Putting the bucket/pump assembly back together - the first time:




After taking it apart again, and putting the forgotten parts back in - got it into the tank again:


That's an attractive shot:


Lines all connected:


Chassis-Saver painted on:


Panel installed. Good job guys:



Thanks for having me over, I enjoyed it, like usual!

[meissen]

Thanks for all the ass-shots, Kyle... I'm going to submit those to playgirl and see if I can get some $$$ out of those pics!

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

Nice, B...well done...

[MP81]

Thanks for all the ass-shots, Kyle... I'm going to submit those to playgirl and see if I can get some $$$ out of those pics!

As photographer, I believe I get a cut as well.

[mikek18]

i blieve you both owe us all some money for having to see those ass shots.

[Derek]

i blieve you both owe us all some money for having to see those ass shots.

coming from the guy who bent over right in front of me at the meet and greet when I was trying to take a picture of my car being judged lol.

[mikek18]

Just wanted to show you my best side derek

[98blackbeauty]

Thanks for all the ass-shots, Kyle... I'm going to submit those to playgirl and see if I can get some $$$ out of those pics!

Hope they have a double page wide fold out!

[98blackbeauty]

the only suggestion I would make, is it would have been easier to cut another notch at the top by the back seat side to the left. It would make it a lot easier to get fuel lines disconnected and connected. LS1 cars maybe you don't have to. We did the precribed cut and the gas line disconnects were an 1-1.5 inches under the hatch floor yet.

[Elliott87iroc]

lol

[JoeliusZ28]

so you can go full throttle now?

[steddy]

So let me see if I got this right: you used a solder gun to melt the bucket back together? I've been kinda back and forth with the idea, but really don't have the $700 for a shop to replace. Hey Larry, could I offer payment for such a hole? I don't have a cut off wheel at my disposal around here...that is, if you wouldn't mind.

[MP81]

So let me see if I got this right: you used a solder gun to melt the bucket back together?

Plus glue.

I kinda missed that whole soldering part. Angie and I went to go get Taco Bell, and came back to the pump assembly being back in the tank.