Roebling Road Race Report & Video

#21

Vic, I completely agree with you assessment.

#22

victorhall wrote:

[quote]Regarding fuel pumps:

The rule clearly states: Any fuel pump may be fitted.

If your fuel pump has two pickups, and two impellers (i.e. a dual pump system) then you are still legal. To re-iterate, the rule says: ANY fuel pump. It does NOT make restrictions on using OEM-style fuel pumps, or 1-impeller fuel pumps.

In addition, the fuel pumps on these cars should be considered wear items. In my experience, they last about a year, and then start to give you trouble.

-Vic
SO #325[/quote] But the rule says PUMP, not PUMPS so I take a dual pump system to not be legal.

Edit:
Not trying to argue here… I would like to not starve the car either. Maybe it should say any fuel pumping system…

#23

And please don’t think I’m trying to be argumentative, but I think you could make a case that a single pump could have dual pickup points. :slight_smile:

#24

Gasman wrote:

[quote]And please don’t think I’m trying to be argumentative, but I think you could make a case that a single pump could have dual pickup points. :)[/quote] Agreed and I think that is a good idea. That is the exact idea that has been floating around in my head all morning.

One issue with low fuel levels is that those pumps are designed to be cooled by the fuel in the tank…low fuel maks for poor pump cooling and maybe a reliability issue. I have heard that Walbro makes a pump that can be made to work in the E30 stock config…

#25

nasaregistrar wrote:

[quote]Gasman wrote:

[quote]And please don’t think I’m trying to be argumentative, but I think you could make a case that a single pump could have dual pickup points. :)[/quote] Agreed and I think that is a good idea. That is the exact idea that has been floating around in my head all morning.

One issue with low fuel levels is that those pumps are designed to be cooled by the fuel in the tank…low fuel maks for poor pump cooling and maybe a reliability issue. I have heard that Walbro makes a pump that can be made to work in the E30 stock config…[/quote]

I believe it’s a walbro 250. I had one in my turbo 240sx, they are fairly universal drop in pumps. This is what it looks like. I’m not sure if this will drop in our cars or not.

#26

I know that many people have used the late 90’s Mustang cobra fuel pump as it is supposedly strong and easily fits in the cars as a plug and play.

#27

MikeD wrote:

For the noobs among us… In general, what would cause this type of extreme tire wear? Too much air, too little, funky alignment?

Or, maybe it’s just Damion trying to get after Patton and driving thru the carousel in full understeer with the wheel cranked over :wink:

The odd thing is, none of the other E30s had this kind of tire wear over the weekend.

#28

ctbimmer wrote:

[quote]MikeD wrote:

Or, maybe it’s just Damion trying to get after Patton and driving thru the carousel in full understeer with the wheel cranked over :wink:

[/quote]

I think that about sums it up:)

#29

Sean - is this what you are referring too? http://rallynuts.com/motorsport/Tuning_2066/Walbro_Fuel_Pump_Motorsport_Upgrade_BMW_E30_NEW_2802.asp

#30

victorhall wrote:

[quote]Regarding fuel pumps:

The rule clearly states: Any fuel pump may be fitted.

If your fuel pump has two pickups, and two impellers (i.e. a dual pump system) then you are still legal. To re-iterate, the rule says: ANY fuel pump. It does NOT make restrictions on using OEM-style fuel pumps, or 1-impeller fuel pumps.

In addition, the fuel pumps on these cars should be considered wear items. In my experience, they last about a year, and then start to give you trouble.

-Vic
SO #325[/quote]

Vic is correct.

And as we have always said, we will consider any suggestion and will change a rule if there is a gross error or if it will fix a major problem. Let’s keep this dicussion alive so we can all benefit from someone’s experience. My '89 (new OEM in-tank pump last year) never has a starvation problem but we certainly want cars out there and getting fuel properly.

Carter

#31

edavidson wrote:

[quote]Sean - is this what you are referring too? http://rallynuts.com/motorsport/Tuning_2066/Walbro_Fuel_Pump_Motorsport_Upgrade_BMW_E30_NEW_2802.asp[/quote] Yes, sort of…I didn’t know someone made a retail kit. I always have thought it was ghetto-fabbed.

#32

Carter wrote:

[quote]victorhall wrote:

[quote]Regarding fuel pumps:

The rule clearly states: Any fuel pump may be fitted.

If your fuel pump has two pickups, and two impellers (i.e. a dual pump system) then you are still legal. To re-iterate, the rule says: ANY fuel pump. It does NOT make restrictions on using OEM-style fuel pumps, or 1-impeller fuel pumps.

In addition, the fuel pumps on these cars should be considered wear items. In my experience, they last about a year, and then start to give you trouble.

-Vic
SO #325[/quote]

Vic is correct.

And as we have always said, we will consider any suggestion and will change a rule if there is a gross error or if it will fix a major problem. Let’s keep this dicussion alive so we can all benefit from someone’s experience. My '89 (new OEM in-tank pump last year) never has a starvation problem but we certainly want cars out there and getting fuel properly.

Carter[/quote]
OK, well that is the word then. The intention of the rule is that any fuel pumping system is allowed. I guess I am too literal in reading "pump" as a singular item.

#33

Carter wrote:
[And as we have always said, we will consider any suggestion and will change a rule if there is a gross error or if it will fix a major problem. Let’s keep this dicussion alive so we can all benefit from someone’s experience. My '89 (new OEM in-tank pump last year) never has a starvation problem but we certainly want cars out there and getting fuel properly.

Carter[/quote]

Carter, thanks for the reply. As you know, my car has only raced twice, the first time at RA and the second at RRR. I did not experience starvation at RA, but there aren’t any sweeping right hand 180’s there either. Six and Seven don’t really count since there is just enough straight between them to pick up product. At RRR, my car would fuel starve coming out of 2 and again coming out of 8. If a new stock pump will fix the problem than so be it. I’d love to hear from Mr. Patton on this issue, as he clearly had no problem with fuel pick up. Robert do you have an OEM pump on your rocket ride? If so, maybe I just need a new fuel pump.

#34

Steve, both mine and Laura’s cars are pre '87 with the old, two-pump set up. Neither car has had fuel problems and we’ve run 'em down to the reserve, red fuel light. My suggestion is to NOT reengineer the system, rather try a new replacement in-tank pump and see how it works for you.Regards, Robert Patton

#35

Thanks Robert, I’ll try it and see. Not knowing anything about Rockingham or how the track is set up, are there any sweeping 180’s at Rockingham, will we be able to determine if it is fixed there?

#36

My car is an 87, dual pump system. I had some serious starvation issues at Shenandoah in the same places mentioned earlier. I replaced both pumps with new parts and its worked great since then, no issues after 5 weekends.

#37

Rockingham has a pretty good right hand sweeper in the infield, you should feel it there if its starving.

#38

Carter, Until this discussion started, I didn’t realize earlier cars had a dual fuel pump setup. Should the rules be amended to allow single fuel pump cars to convert to a similar setup?

#39

Steve, maybe you could force-fit the external pump to a later model car, but I think that there is additional fuel tank capacity that takes the place of where the external pump was/is located. So, you could swap fuel tanks and search for brackets and electrical leads to power-up a pump that was not designed for your car.But, that is not a feasable idea. Did I mention that you get to drop the exhaust system, heat shield, drive shaft, rear diff, and subframe in order to remove the fuel tank? I think you get the picture. Try a new fuel pump.Regards, Robert Patton

#40

Its a better system on the later model, one pump cars. You wouldnt want to convert to the two pump system if you could. The in tank pump is only a transfer pump to begin with.

It would be a better fix to swap gas tanks from a newer car to an older one to eliminate the dual pump set up but that is illegal to do.