ls fuel systems for idiots (me)

[texastrendz]

this is my first ls motor and i am having a hard time with the fuel system. i need help with the connections at the motor. i have a 04 5.3 liter vortec motor that is dbw. it has two fuel connections at the intake, feed and return i am assuming. how do i hook up the system with the corvette style filter/regulator combo? do i need the corvette style regulator? i assume that some of the 5.3 had regulators in the rails. any and all help would be greatly appreciatted, thanks daniel.

[Goats86]

My 03 5.3 DBW has a return fuel line all the way to the tank.

[texastrendz]

if i run the corvette style regulator i will only have one feed line to the motor. what do you do with the return at the motor? can you just block it?

[usmcchevy]

To switch to returnless, you will need different fuel rails from a 05+ motor

[ls1nova71]

If you have a fuel rail with a feed and return, then just hook it up that way. Putting a Corvette filter does nothing to help you really. It does make it easier since you only have to run one fuel line to the engine, but the cost of the Vette filter is about 4 times what a regular filter would cost, and as stated above you would need fuel rails from a returnless system. Even with the Vette filter you still have to run a return from it to the tank, so you're not getting away from running a return all together.

[texastrendz]

do most people run the return line or go with the corvette style. i have not bought any fuel system parts yet. i am wondering the best and most cost effective way of handling this. thanks for all the responses

[harnalien]

I would say the most cost effective way is to use what you have. If you already have the return style intake, use that. The inline filter I bought for mine is from Russell, and cost 25 bucks. The fuel lines were about 40 bucks a piece for 10ft. All you have to figure out from there is how to connect the fuel lines to the fuel rails (i haven't gotten there yet) and how exactly to plumb the return at the tank.

[ls1nova71]

Originally Posted by harnalien

i would say the most cost effective way is to use what you have. If you already have the return style intake, use that.

x2

[RocketKing]

Originally Posted by ls1nova71

x2

x3

[Clyde65]

X4 what Harnalien said!

[texastrendz]

thanks for all the responses guys, i am going to have a fuel tank built at the rear of the frame. so i guess i will just use a return and a feed line the full length of the frame with a frame mounted pump and filters. i know the ls motors need a min of 55 psi to run correctly. can someone steer me in the right direction on a pump and filter setup. since so many of yall have them up and running i am willing to take any and all advice on this.

[usmcchevy]

Originally Posted by texastrendz

thanks for all the responses guys, i am going to have a fuel tank built at the rear of the frame. so i guess i will just use a return and a feed line the full length of the frame with a frame mounted pump and filters. i know the ls motors need a min of 55 psi to run correctly. can someone steer me in the right direction on a pump and filter setup. since so many of yall have them up and running i am willing to take any and all advice on this.

What tank are you using? Can you put a intank pump in or are you looking for a inline pump?

[texastrendz]

yes, i can get it with an internal or external fuel pump. i am talking to nathan at porterbuilt streetrods and he is steering me in the frame mounted pump direction as ease of replacement in a failure. it looks like the cost is about the same either way i go. i think the external pump is the way i am going to go. am i missing something in thinking this way?

[ls1nova71]

I would seriously consider an in tank pump. They're less prone to vapor lock and generally last longer due to the fact that electric fuel pumpsare more suited to pushing rather than pullling fuel. Add to that, the fact that will run cooler since its submerged in cool fuel which also adds to the longevity of an in tank pump. Sure a frame mounted one will be easier to change, but if you get a good quality pump it should last a long time. If tours building a cruiser it will probably last as long as the truck it's in. Just my $0.02

On a side note, my first LS1 swap has been on the road for over 10 years, has over 130,000 miles on it and still has the original AC Delco pump I put in the tank.
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