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Any Benefit To Fitting An Electric Fuel Pump?


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#1 np90

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Posted 08 March 2018 - 10:30 PM

evening all just wondering is there actually any real benefit to fitting an electric fuel pump?

 

got a 998 carb obv, few mods stage 3 head and some other bits, but i mean is there any real performance gain or advantage?

 

i was planning on fitting one but having doubts now,

 

i was planning on changing it for security but i could probably just as easily fit an electric solenoid along the fuel line wired to an immobiliser i guess,

 

it is my first carb'd car so im assuming an electric pump would just pressurise the float chamber and not really have any advantage,

 

thanks



#2 Magic jason

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Posted 09 March 2018 - 04:37 AM

Not worth the hassle imo. Loads of "disadvantages" and extra work so to speak.

 

The SPIs/MPIs need a pump because they need the pressure to actually squirt fuel into the engine, where as carbs only rely on there being fuel in the carb bowl, the velocity of air flow running through the carb does all the work by sucking that fuel up through the jet.

 

If however you're running/converting to a carbed turbo/supercharger set up then yes you need an electric pump, along with a regulator etc and a return line to the tank. As your tank only has an outlet you would need to fit a tank from a FI mini, or modify it and weld on a return fitting., but theres no need, too much hassle for no gains.

 

The mechanical fuel pumps do a good job, even on a mildly tuned 998/1275 etc and so on. Fitting a fuel filter if it doesn't already have one wont go amiss though  :proud:

 

You're probably overthinking using a fuel cut (electric solenoid along the fuel line) as a method for added security, even thats more work than needs be. Good bet would be to just wire in a switch between the ignition and coil and hide it in a inconspicuous place, or disguise it as something else  ;D 10 minute job and dirt cheap! thats what matters! At the same time though the wiring diagram for a mini is so basic its not hard to bypass most extra security measures, it just prevents the lazy opportunist jumping in and driving off.

 

You could have all the security measures in the word, but at the end of the day, if they want your mini bad enough, not much you can do  :( 

 

The best security measure is to highlight all the rust and problems with the car  :angel: or just take out the rotor arm from the dizzy....that left my mate baffled for a while  :lol:

 

Plenty mechanical deterrents. A decent steering wheel lock is a nice big visual clue that lazy thiefs cant be bothered with!



#3 whistler

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Posted 09 March 2018 - 09:41 AM

For the first approximately 10 years of production all minis were fitted with an electric pump situated just forward of the fuel tank, bolted onto the rear subframe. They did suffer from mechanical points failure as they became older but modern versions use electronics. Having come back to a mini after 40 years my '89 had an oil leak from the mechanical pump so I went retro and fitted an electric pump back in the original position. The one I fitted was from Leacy Classics and was an ECCO pump, nade in NZ. It is the correct pressure for a mini without the need for a regulator. Minispares and bullmotif sell original SU pattern pumps. I have a switch in the circuit, so I can isolate it when parked up as an additional security device.
If I have to drain the fuel tank at some stage then it's easy to disconnect the fuel pipe at the carb end and turn the ignition on to activate the pump.

#4 Spider

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Posted 09 March 2018 - 06:34 PM

Both have pros and cons.

 

I've found with the newer mechanical pumps, they don't seem to suck up from a tank that's run dry too well at all and they also seem to suffer from heat if you have a performance type exhaust manifold. Also, with some failures, they will fill your sump with fuel.

 

For the electric, types, a wire and inertia switch need to be fitted and you need to look around a bit to find one that has a low output pressure, or run a separate regulator.

 

These days, I run electric and happily so. Mini Spares have a Germany made SU knock off that I found works really well.



#5 mikal

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Posted 09 March 2018 - 09:13 PM

Hi Moke,

 

What inertia switch do you have fitted? I don't have one and it bothers me a bit...

 

Cheers

 

Michael



#6 np90

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Posted 09 March 2018 - 09:55 PM

yeah true, looks like il be saving a bit of money and time then! might replace the original fuel pump though for £40 would probably save a lot of hassle considering its been sitting for so long if it decides to fail


Edited by np90, 09 March 2018 - 09:55 PM.


#7 np90

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Posted 09 March 2018 - 09:56 PM

a steering lock is definitely a go to be honest, will without a doubt be getting one



#8 Spider

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Posted 10 March 2018 - 12:26 AM

Hi Moke,

 

What inertia switch do you have fitted? I don't have one and it bothers me a bit...

 

Cheers

 

Michael

 

 

One of these will do the job

 

http://www.minispare...|Back to search



#9 nicklouse

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Posted 10 March 2018 - 12:31 AM

 

Hi Moke,

 

What inertia switch do you have fitted? I don't have one and it bothers me a bit...

 

Cheers

 

Michael

 

 

One of these will do the job

 

http://www.minispare...|Back to search

 

just a simple make or brake switch? do we know what G it triggers at?



#10 Spider

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Posted 10 March 2018 - 04:34 AM

Nick, they are a break switch and need to be manually resent once broken, as for how many G's are needed to trip them?? Don't know, but I'd guess in the range of 1 to 3 G.






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