7/10/2009
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Manufacturer Tech Tip: Selecting the Correct Filter to Prevent Lean-Out and Pump Failure
You may run any brand of filter you choose, just be certain that any filter installed meets the requirements specified here.
The filtration media to be used on the inlet side of an Aeromotive fuel pump may be no smaller than 100-micron and must have an element surface area of 60 square inches or more. Any filter element not meeting these criteria may fail to flow the full volume of the pump being used, resulting in cavitation at the pump inlet.
Aeromotive fuel pumps are extremely efficient by design, allowing them to create high pressure on the outlet and high vacuum on the inlet side, if restricted. Cavitation can be to a pump like detonation is to an engine and occurs when the liquid being pumped reaches a temperature where it boils and becomes vapor. The temperature at which any liquid boils varies with pressure. Recall that water in a radiator is purposely pressurized to raise the boiling point. When was the last time your high pressure EFI system vapor locked?
Keep in mind, as a pump pushes it has to pull. When a pump has to pull too hard acquiring fuel, a vacuum or low-pressure area develops at the inlet. The better and more efficient the pump is, the lower inlet pressure will fall. The boiling point of any liquid fuel in this low-pressure zone falls as well. With a highly efficient pump, inlet pressure can get so low that fuel will boil and the pump will cavitate at normal operating temperatures.
Today’s ultra-high output engines require equally high efficiency fuel pumps. Failure to install them properly can be costly in two ways: First, during cavitation the engine may experience a momentary lean condition (losses of liquid fuel pressure and volume). Second, excess heat and friction will build in the pump, causing damage and eventual failure. If you feed your Aeromotive pump properly it will feed your beast for years to come!
Review your installation and make sure the pump is mounted where gravity will help push fuel to the inlet, use the correct size AN line between the tank and the pump and install filters that flow the necessary volume freely.
All Aeromotive pumps except the Pro Series EFI pump may use the Aeromotive filter #12304 with –10 inlet and outlet fittings and 100-micron stainless steel element. The Pro Series EFI pump #11102 requires filter #12302 with larger stainless steel element and –12 inlet and outlet fittings. The #12302 is also recommended for the #11104 EFI Eliminator pump and our new #11105 belt drive pump (try 400gph or 2700lb/hr of fuel delivery at 100psi).
– Tech Tip courtesy of Aeromotive.