Converting manual to electric fuel pump

[flashdad]

Hey folks, I'm wanting to convert from manual to electric. Got a '67 Chevy swb with a '71 corvette engine in it (350). I'm planning on putting an Edelbrock Performer manny with a 600 cfm carb on it. I need to know what a good electric pump is that is reasonably priced. AZ recommends a Spectra. Will I need a regulator? Tips, hints, or recommendations are gratefully welcomed. Pros and cons as well!
Thanks as always for your responses.

Flashdad

[atgilford]

im not sure what a spectra is , however i went with a holley and at that time every one i talked to suggested a regulator, i got the holley brand new with regulator on cl for fifty bucks howver oreilly or your local parts store should carry it for about 120 or so.. good luck if u have any questions let me know

[darthwall]

yes when running a elecric pump its basicly required im running a holley blue at 110gph and pressure set at 6lbs lots of gas and real noisy but on the plus side you can tell when the pump goes lol

[vasquezmrysvll]

may i ask, why electric? im running electric due to the fact that my block has no provision for a manual pump. its been a bit of a hassle to set up......correctly that is....

[cdowns]

getting rid of about the most reliable dependable unit of an engine for a headache waitin to happen makes little to no sence

[screamin_c10]

Originally Posted by cdowns

getting rid of about the most reliable dependable unit of an engine for a headache waitin to happen makes little to no sence

^ x2 ^

[Longhorn Man]

i have to agree. if you are running a carb, and your engine has the provisions for a mechanical pump, then you are WAY better off with the mechanical unit.

[BP68]

I was going to go mech. on my 68, but the 89 Suburban I got the motor from did not have the provision. I got a inline Jegs pump mounted in the rear frame rail using a Jegs regulator up front with braided line going from regulator to filter on a nice hard line, and into carb. Works great so far. I had it running without a regulator, and even though it is a low pressure pump for carb application, it still had too much pressure.

[vasquezmrysvll]

i did an in-tank unit in my rear mount tank with a return style regulator, that thing is VERY quiet. a little work but well worth it. really wish i could just run a mech. pump.

[cparman]

I agree with Cdowns, and Longhorn man. Why would you want to reinvent the wheel. I have a 330hp crate motor in my Blazer, with a new stock mechanical fuel pump. Running wire in an old car/truck is time consuming, and takes a toll on the existing wiring. I am a big fan if the KISS method to our trucks!

[flashdad]

hmm. As for the wiring, I will be running all new wire for the truck. But it does sound llike a pain with the regulator and pressures. Maybe I will stick with my manual. Just wondering if there's a performance difference when changing to a more performance minded top end?

[dznucks]

When running an edelbrock carb with a mechanical pump, you still need a regulator to knock down the pressure to about 4 psi.

[flashdad]

Does that go on the line before or after the pump?

[cdowns]

regulator would be as close to carb as possible

[VDOG]

When I installed my 91 LT1, it also had no provision for a mech fuel pump so I had to go with an electric pump. I went with a Carter Electric Fuel Pump. It was cheaper than the Holley and is rated up to 450HP.
No regulator needed with this pump. I cant think of which one but one of the Holleys do not need a regulator either. Its not that loud, and with the truck on, you cant hear it.

[406 Q-ship]

I would stick with the mechanical pump. There is no real performance advantage until you hit HP numbers in the 500 area, my Monte Carlo with a 406 that puts out 420 HP / 470 TQ runs like a scalded ape with a replacement mechanical pump (spect for a 1970 LT-1 Z28). Carter has a great mechanical pump based on the rebuildable GM pump from the 1960's that I have on my Chevelle. I would not run the Holley electric pumps unless you love the sound of them (it gets very tedious on a street vehicle).

[Longhorn Man]

Originally Posted by dznucks

When running an edelbrock carb with a mechanical pump, you still need a regulator to knock down the pressure to about 4 psi.

there's a way around this... I forgot the p/n many years ago, but I have the off road needle and seat kit in my edelbrock carbs, you can run higher fuel pressure without overpowering the needle.
It seems boarderline retarded to me that Edelbrock doesn't just build there carbs with this kit in it already