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fuel pump?

6K views 20 replies 7 participants last post by  Fidrat 
#1 ·
After asking many tuners advice on going stage 2 with my 03 wrx i have been told that i 100% need a fuel pump and should do the same with any wrx under a 08. I was told without one the car would eventually lean out and fry the pistons. what do you guys know about this and which one should i get?

I was also told a 3 port ebcs would make for a better tune but could get one without. any advice?

thanks in advance.
 
#5 ·
I would go with a grimmspeed ebcs. I have a walbro and it still runs strong. Most pump failures are due to Chinese knock offs or low fuel levels. The fuel also cools the pump so when it gets low they can burn up. Just don't go below a quarter tank. I think aem makes a drop in fuel pump also but I've never heard much about it. Some known trusted ones are walbro, deatschworks, aeromotive, and Bosch. Although not necessary at your power levels, if you really want to take full advantage of the pumps capabilities you can rewire it with bigger gauge wire. Many people overlook this.

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#8 ·
IMO is would trust a local mechanic as long as they are trust worthy. lol I know that sounds funny, but just because somebody labels themselves as a performance shop does not mean that they are great mechanics. It only means that they are targeting a certain client and maybe that they actually specialize in performance part installation. A down pipe should not be difficult for any seasoned mechanic. I guess bottom line for me is take it to a shop that you consider trustworthy and has a good reputation, not just someone who claims to be specialized in a certain area.
 
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#9 ·
I cant speak for your local garage but I always prefer to work with performance shops when that's an option. I usually grab them a coffee or a 6 pack and shoot the breeze with them while they hook me up. Neither are particularly hard to install youurself but you will need access to a lift to do the downpipe. Id take it to a performance shop just so you can hang out for the hour it takes to do those installs
 
#10 ·
Any competent mechanic can install these. They are relatively easy installs. If have any mechanical inclination at all you should be able to do it yourself as well. No lift needed. I did my whole turbo back and ewg off jackstands in my garage. Granted, a lift does make everything easier but is not required. Just remember to also get new dp to turbo gasket, appropriate gasket for the other end of the dp, and you might even need a new gasket for the fuel tank access since your car is over 10 years old. I think that one will come with the pump install kit if you opt for it.

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#12 ·
I've had my GrimmSpeed 3 port EBCS and Walbro 255 LPH fuel pump for ~2 1/2 years (~50k miles). Although I generally try not to, sometimes I run my gas tank below 1/4 - it happens :) The fuel pump can be upgraded any time without a tune (it's not a requirement for Stage 2 vehicles, but it's pretty much required once you move beyond that). The EBCS needs a tune, period. The fuel pump is easy to do if you have some basic hand tools and a little time. The dp can be a little tricky if the bolts are stubborn, but it's doable if you have a jack, jack stands, and basic hand tools - the O2 sensor is the trickiest part, but you can usually borrow an O2 sensor socket from your local auto parts store for free if you need it. Always use new gaskets.
 
#13 ·
ok im probably going to get all my stuff done at elite in goshen and will soon be buying parts. ive decided to add a catless up to my long list of parts. i noticed man show said to get new gaskets, wondering how much those are for the up and dp. (ballpark anyway) also do i need to buy a install kit with my walboro 255lph fuel pump if i have it installed by a shop? thanks in advance.
 
#15 ·
fuel pumps make noise now??? I was unaware. thanks brockton since i posted i found that Import Parts Source at PRO Import Tuners give us discounts for being members. i think that the fuel pumps are listed at five bucks less at their website b4 the discount. is the noise the walboros make enough to switch to a deatchwerks pump? because i have also heard that the walboros burn up, and that the DW were better.
 
#16 ·
I have a walbro and never notice any noise from it. I have also heard that they tend to burn up. I have my doubts about that though. There are many china knock-offs of the walbro and any pump will burn up if you keep a low fuel level constantly. The fuel acts as a coolant for the pump. I would say your good using either one.
 
#17 ·
High flow fuel pumps cam be noisy, its worse when you have 90 degree fittings that restrict flow rate. Its nothing to terribly distracting but there is definitely a whirring noise when you start getting up to the higher pressure pumps. We dealt with it alot on old car builds where the pump was not located in the tank. For example when mounted to the passenger side chassis rails you can definitely hear the pump working, until you turn it over and the glasspack V8 rumble takes over.

If you still have the OE rear seats and insulating material you shouldn't hear a huge difference in volume. especially with your Cobb exhaust tones. you might be able to hear it working when you turn the car to accessory but other than that its not a huge worry.

As for Walbro, I've always had good luck with their pumps, just not in jetskis. something about the water just makes walbro pumps mad. We had to swap out 2 in a year on one of our old jet-skis.
 
#18 ·
I'm sorry I didn't see this thread sooner. I'm also sorry I kind of petered out on my build thread.

thekamikaze kid,I've been watching your threads and I can see you are up to the same thing I was a few months ago.

In regards to the work,do it yourself!!! I'm just an old Army mechanic from 27 years ago. That means I was just a parts changer. I've been a shade-tree-mechanic all my life. I am by no means a trained mech. I did everything but the timing belt change and the front axles.

If I can do it you can do it! Just let me get back to my build thread and I'll talk you through the whole proses. Up-pipe,down-pipe,pump,heat management,EBCS,how trick your ECU into thinking you still have a cat so you can put off (save up for) a tune. Don't deny yourself the satisfaction of doing it yourself!

Besides,putting in the pump was just plain fun and I have some great tips on keeping the pump quiet. Don't miss out. I have staggering pics of everything and some vids too!

Here is just a taste;
<a href="http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/fidrat24/media/IMG_1911_zps8d120060.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag309/fidrat24/IMG_1911_zps8d120060.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_1911_zps8d120060.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/fidrat24/media/IMG_2307_zps8b441f90.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag309/fidrat24/IMG_2307_zps8b441f90.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2307_zps8b441f90.jpg"/></a>
 
#19 ·
Lol no I really can't do this myself. I don't work on cars I'm more of a computer guy. I can tear apart my desktop and fix it perfectly but embarrassing enough I can barely change my oil. :nerd: I am much more comfortable data logging and changing maps with my aces sport and such. Which is why I really appreciate the help guys! If all goes well I'll get all this stuff done around spring. I almost have all the money saved up. But yeah thanks fidrat I'm pretty much doing the same thing you did except I'm going catted.
 
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