Quick Answer: Getting the most out of your performance vehicle starts with the fuel pump. It pressurizes the system and pushes fuel from the tank through the filter and into the engine for combustion. To build real power, match your pump to your horsepower target, then confirm your fuel lines, filters, and injectors can handle the same demand.

For a century, automotive applications have relied on fuel pumps for the combustion process to power vehicles. What first started as a simple solution to a safety concern, fuel pumps move fuel from the tank to the engine and play a critical part in driving your vehicle.

The History of Fuel Pumps

Our neighborhood history buff stopped by last weekend as I was in the driveway changing a fuel filter on my car. He can tell you the history of world events, but isn’t very knowledgeable about cars. I took this as my opportunity to fill him in on the history of the fuel system. He had no idea that fuel tanks were originally located above the engine and used gravity to deliver fuel to the engine for combustion.

That proved quite unsafe, so engineers moved the fuel tanks away from the engine for safety. They developed mechanical fuel pumps to move fuel from the tank via a fuel line. Over the last 50 years, electric fuel pumps have become standard in most automotive, marine, and aeronautical applications.

The Role of Fuel Pumps in Powering Performance Vehicles

Some applications still use mechanical fuel pumps driven by the engine or another power source. With more of them phased out every year, electric fuel pumps continue their dominance for fuel delivery.

Fuel pumps can move fuel from one end of your car to the other, regardless of the fuel type. They pressurize the fuel system, pushing fuel through a filter and into the combustion engine.

If you plan to replace your current fuel pump, you will need to decide what the required performance specifications are before you buy the replacement. It controls the fuel supply, so simply replacing the current pump without needing additional fuel pressure or engine performance is an easy decision to buy an OEM replacement.

Many enthusiasts want more power output from their combustion engine and will need to set their target horsepower before choosing their next fuel pump. We’ve covered how to choose a fuel pump to meet your horsepower goals in another blog post, and it can guide you to the answer quickly to help build your upgraded fuel system, even with outboard motor vehicles.

Building Your Ultimate Fuel System

Once you choose a fuel pump, ensure the other components can handle the correct pressure. Check that they can manage the fuel flowing from the tank to the engine.

Fuel lines, fuel filters, and fuel injectors are the three main complementary components to verify the specifications. A high-flow fuel pump is useless if other components can't meet the fuel demand. Ensure all parts support your horsepower goals.

Other considerations that you should include in the decision-making process of choosing the right fuel system components are:

• Will the new fuel pump fit inside the current housing, or does it need modification?
• What type of fuel are you using? Diesel, low ethanol gasoline, and high ethanol E85 gasoline can require different fuel pumps and components.
• Should you add an external fuel pressure gauge for easier tuning and troubleshooting?
• Does your fuel system require specific fuel connections for your car or truck model? Or can universal style fittings work?

Want more information about E85 fuel and its effects on fuel pumps?

All of these decisions can be overwhelming at first glance. My neighbor shared his thoughts as we started discussing the history of moving fuel tanks for safety. He knew little about the crucial role powersports fuel systems play in the fuel system and the detailed coordination needed for an optimized setup.

He said, “Fuel pumps deliver fuel, right?” Essentially, they do deliver fuel, but it's easy to get sidetracked talking about all the fuel system components and why they need to be properly matched.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a fuel pump do in a performance vehicle?

The fuel pump moves fuel from the tank to the engine and pressurizes the entire system. It pushes fuel through a filter and into the combustion engine, regardless of fuel type. Without proper delivery and pressure, your engine simply can't make the power you're after.

Should I buy an OEM or upgraded fuel pump?

It depends on your goals. If you just need to restore factory performance without added fuel pressure, an OEM replacement is the easy call. If you want more horsepower from your combustion engine, set a target output first and choose a pump built to meet it.

Do I need to upgrade other components when I install a high-flow pump?

Yes. A high-flow fuel pump is useless if the rest of the system can't keep up. Verify that your fuel lines, fuel filters, and fuel injectors can handle the increased flow and pressure. Every component needs to support your horsepower goals to work together properly.

What should I consider before choosing fuel system components?

Check whether the new pump fits your current housing or needs modification, and confirm what fuel you're running, since diesel, low-ethanol gas, and E85 can require different parts. Consider adding an external pressure gauge for tuning, and verify whether your model needs specific fittings.

Are mechanical or electric fuel pumps better today?

Electric fuel pumps now dominate automotive, marine, and aeronautical applications, and more mechanical pumps get phased out every year. Mechanical pumps, driven by the engine or another power source, still appear in some applications, but electric designs are the standard for modern fuel delivery.