Fuel pressure gauge install

#1

In trying to chase down what appears to be a fuel starvation problem, it strikes me that I can eliminate a lot of stupid guesswork about whether it is fuel or ignition related by putting in a fuel pressure gauge that I can read while on track.

  1. I assume it is legal to put a fuel pressure gauge either in the car (yes, I am aware that it needs to either be electrical send or isolated if in the car) or on the cowl, but please confirm we are allowed to run the gauge. I think we are.

  2. Assuming it is legal, where do I tap for the sender on the fuel pressure gauge? It looks like there are two rubber lines hose clamped to the fuel rail, with no schrader or other accessible port to put a fuel pressure gauge. How is this being done?

Thanks in advance.

-Scott

#2

I think you’re ok with the rules.

Harbor Freight sells a fuel pressure testing kit for not much. In it you get a T connector. The base of the T is a 1/8NPT fitting. Put the T inline on the hose that goes to the rail (not fuel pressure valve, but rail) and then put your sensor on the T.

The testing kit is so cheap that buying a fitting would cost almost as much.

#3

To connect the gage, install a tee in the soft line that feeds the fuel rail. I would not mount a mechanical gage in the cabin. If it springs a leak…

#4

You can also borrow a fuel pressure test kit from AutoZone. My local store has a really nice kit.

Of course, that won’t tell you about fuel pressure on the track. My pressure was fine in the garage, but I had bad starvation with a half tank last time I was at the track.