Prev Article Next Article


Tech Review—Aeromotive Drop-In Pumps For Modern Muscle Cars

Posted By: Steve Baur
Written by the Staff
Photography courtesy of Aeromotive

 
We live in glorious times where thunderously powerful muscle cars roll out of the Motor City’s factories delivering huge power, smooth driveability, and all the creature comforts. As enthusiasts, we can’t leave well enough alone though. When a lot of power is good, huge power is way better.
 
Of course, it is easy enough to add power with bolt-on improvements and beyond, but eventually feeding the hot-rodded beast under your hood is more than the factory system can handle — even with bigger injectors and fuel-pump voltage boosters. To supply those vehicles means adding fuel pumps with increased flow, and the specialists at Aeromotive offer drop-in fuel pump modules for recent and current Ford, Mopar, and GM applications.
 
“Typically, unless it is a special performance car, most V-8 fuel systems are done at the 500-horsepower range,” Jeff Stacy, Executive Vice President at Aeromotive Inc., said. “Obviously a Hellcat has a higher ceiling, but eventually the factory fuel systems can’t support the kind of power the aftermarket can create.”
 
While the need for more fuel is paramount, modern muscle cars are complex beasts filled with systems and electronics that help them meet all their goals for the street and beyond. As such, it is important to use fuel system upgrades that are compatible with the factory systems like the Aeromotive drop-in units.
 
“The majority of our drop-ins will work with the factory vent, jet siphon and not cause the car to throw codes,” Stacy said. “They are a simple but highly effective replacement for the factory fuel pumps. Our product is ready to drop in when you get it. We use electrical terminals to get power inside the tank instead of a big hole with epoxy shot into it.”
 
These drop-in systems are fitted with one, two, or three high-flow electric fuel pumps that range in output from 450 to 525 liters per hour depending on the application. They incorporate factory fuel-level sending units and vents while controlling fuel slosh with the company’s foam and bladder assemblies.
 
“We get a lot of questions as to why the Mopar stuff is a 525 and 450s. We did this because we needed pulse-width modulation with the 525, but that pump is very high in amp draw when run wide open. With only about 7 percent more flow than a 450 we decided to try and keep the amp draw down so we used the 450s,” Stacy added. “As the fuel requirements start to exceed the 525 you will trigger the 450 and it will run wide open. This will allow the computer to start PWM with the 525 again to maintain proper fuel flow requirements. On a triple-pump system, it will do the same thing on the second 450. Both 450s will be running wide open and the 525 will be PWM again to create adequate fuel flow.”
 
The systems are built specifically for a wide range of modern Camaros, Chargers, Challengers, Magnums, and Mustangs. Moving to these systems does require changing to a return-style arrangement with an adjustable fuel-pressure regulator and a return line. Of course, Aeromotive offers these components individually so buyers can create a custom system and in the case of one vehicle line, the company offers a full conversion kit.
 
“For the Mustang guys we offer a kit with the regulator, filter, and gauge,” Stacy added. “One of the reasons we didn’t do kits is we wanted to give the customer the flexibility to buy whatever regulator and filter they might want.”
 
Installed in any of these modern muscle machines, the Aeromotive multi-pump drop-in systems will support four-digit power in naturally aspirated and power-adder applications. 
 

Aeromotive’s drop-in fuel pump modules work with the factory fuel tank openings, lock rings, and gaskets. They also incorporate the factory fuel-level sending units and work with the OEM jet-siphon systems. 
 

Shipped pre-assembled and wired, these modules are available with multiple pumps to support as much as 3,300 horsepower depending on the combination and whether a power-adder is present.
 
These drop-in units use Aeromotive’s foam and bladder assemblies to control fuel slosh and ensure the pumps are fed during the high-g loads seen in performance applications. 
 
These drop-in fuel pump modules require switching to a return-style system with a return line and an adjustable fuel-pressure regulator. Aeromotive offers these pieces separately so installers can build a custom system. In the case of some modern Mustangs, the company does offer a complete conversion kit.
 
Source
Aeromotive, Inc.
(913) 647-7300
AeromotiveInc.com
 

join our

email list

You’ll be first to know about NMCA events, race results and so much more!