I am considering buying a used motor/trans setup from a tpi 3rd gen.. Just to bridge the gap between now and when the 406 is done..

I was just thinking over the whole swap, and remembered about the difference in fuel system... I was wondering, to save myself the hassle of getting an in-tank pump and modifying the pickup & sending unit, if a third-gen camaro/firebird fuel tank will fit in a 2nd gen??

I cant see why not.. But just looking for other opinions..

TIA
Joe

eh forget it.. just remember the filler neck is on the side, rather than straight back...oh well

You can use a 3gen fuel sender unit in a 2gen tank. Neat trick for any 2gen fuel injection conversion

http://nastyz28.com/MikeM79Stuff/Stuff/3Genfueltank.jpg

http://nastyz28.com/MikeM79Stuff/Stuff/3Genfuelsender.jpg

Someone told me that 3rd gen sending unit will only fit in the earlier 2nd gen tanks, not the later (78-81) tanks.

SUPREME LAZINESS- I've had a 3rd gen sending unit in my garage for two years, and have never checked this yet.:D

I saw on the chevelles site that Stewart is producing a piston fuel pump that can support efi. Goes in the stock mechanical pump location. www.racepumps.com
I have an edelbrock efi unit that I'll eventually try out, I'm leaning towards this pump, even though its pricey, just because it looks simpler to install. I talked to a guy that had it on a 383 and he really liked it. Another guy on the site had it supporting a twin turbo with something like nearly 700hp. Didn't see anyone that actually was using it with an efi setup but the race pump website has a forum for questions and it looks promising.

Mike, didnt you have to mod it somewhat to mount it in your tank?? Though I had read that somewhere.. Could be mistaken..


You can use a 3gen fuel sender unit in a 2gen tank. Neat trick for any 2gen fuel injection conversion


http://nastyz28.com/MikeM79Stuff/Stuff/3Genfuelsender.jpg

http://nastyz28.com/MikeM79Stuff/Stuff/3Genfueltank.jpg

How much trouble would it be to plug the whole for the filler neck on a 3rd gen tank, then cut another hole for a 2nd gen filler neck in the correct location?? Probably too much.. lol

The stewarts is nice, but I am on a tight budget..

Here is my plan, in case anyone was wondering.. THinking about picking up a complete 88 TPI motor & 700r4 setup off of another member.. It is from an 88 firebird & it is a 305.. Pull the POS 229 & stock auto and drop this setup in so I can cruise and have some fun.. Figure If I install my headers & a full exhaust, a 3.42 posi rearend I having sitting, and a 2000-2400stall converter, it should be a decent cruiser..

If possible, I would like to install my vortecs on the motor, but not sure if I would need a different intake for the TPI setup, or if they are compatible from 87 up.. Dont think so though..

Anyway, Once I have the 406 bottom end done, I would then already have the wiring harness,computer,fuel system setup and tranny setup and serpentine setup that I can swap all over onto the 406.. Only needing to upgrade the intake/plenum and few other parts.. But the majority of it would already be there..

Mike, didnt you have to mod it somewhat to mount it in your tank?? Though I had read that somewhere.. Could be mistaken..

The two pics show the mods.

The pic with the tank cut open shows a stock 3gen unit. I cut open an extra tank to study the proposition. The mods to the unit are easy....just cut the tubing on the inside short enough to hang a Walbro pump from it. This means you will need a fuel level sender installed elsewhere through the top of the tank. Those run about $40 and are pretty easy to install.

thanks mike.. At first i didnt see the difference, bu then i minimized the windows side by side.. thats a big difference in the b4 & aft.. I'll be getting a 3rd gen sending unit as part of the package.. Where did you mount the fuel level sender??

The two pics show the mods.

This means you will need a fuel level sender installed elsewhere through the top of the tank. Those run about $40 and are pretty easy to install.


Is that a stock replacement for a 3rd gen, or an aftermarket one?? As for the pump, being the motor is a 305 and I'm on a budget, I'll probably try to locate a stocker...

This is what I did.

The smaller opening is for the sender
http://img287.imageshack.us/img287/4741/gastank5ph.jpg

The pump module.
http://img326.imageshack.us/img326/9523/mycamaro0475at.jpg

Or you could sump you tank and go with an inline fuel pump.

When installing Edelbrock's Pro-Flo on my 81' Camaro, I installed the in-line fuel pump and added a return line to the stock tank using the directions included in Edelbrock's manual (pages 15-18) (http://www.edelbrock.com/tech/tech_suport/pro-flo/3500_3503_3507.pdf) I used the stock supply line as the return line and installed a new 3/8" supply line. The stock pickup will still be used with the new supply line.

An externally mounted in-line pump like the MSD #2225 will work and is $90 at Summit. You can also get one similar that will work at Carquest, P/N E8248 for about the same price. I bought one and it works fine with my 383 SBC MPFI system and has a lifetime warranty.

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/norm/msd-2225_m.jpg

Good luck, Ed www.edgesz28.com

Go to http://www.rockvalleyantiqueautoparts.com They make a kit that has a tray to stop the fuel from sloshing away during turns. I bought the whole tank from them already modified with the tray.

The third gen sender will drop right in the early tanks, but for the later tanks you'll have to mod like the previous posters have said.

BTW guys, nice work.

So far, the most affordable way would probably be to have a sump installed, and run an external EFI pump..

What about a fuel cell.. If I got one of those, would i be able to use the 3rd gen unit? Or would I not even need it..??? I'm on a real tight budget..lol

FYI,the MPFI and TPI cars have a higher pressure fuel pump than TBI cars.

So far, the most affordable way would probably be to have a sump installed, and run an external EFI pump... I'm on a real tight budget..lol

I followed Edelbrock's instructions and used the original pick-up sock in my 81' tank and have never had a fuel starvation problem. This does not require having a sump installed which obviously saves cost. The cheapest route would be to use the original sock and external pump.

Best of luck, Ed

THanks Ed... I just gotta figure out how to mount the sending unit.. Obviously, if I have to drill a hole for it and stuff, then once it is done the tank will have to be sent out to be cleaned so no metal particles wind up in the lines... Anyone have an idea what that usually costs?? TO have the tank professionally cleaned? Its a relatively new tank, so there is no rust problem..

Also, what size Feed Line should I use?? I will most likely just bend my own steel line. I went through all that braided hose nonsense on my last project and it just cost too much once I was done with all the line & fittings..

What size feed would be good enough for a stock motor? I will use the stock line that is there now for the return, like the edelbrock instructions suggest.. makes sense..

Then again, the stock motor in my car was a v-6.. So is the line smaller than a stock line from a Z28?

I do not know what size the V6 pickup is, but my V8 pickup is 3/8". That is all that is needed for your V8. Hopefully your's is 3/8" as well. The return line only needs to be 5/16", but 3/8" works also. Be sure to replace the pickup sock. They are like $5 and are a slip on connection.

You do not need to drill any part of the tank. Drop the tank and remove the entire sending unit. I used the bulkhead method (see bottom picture), but made it up using brass fittings from a local hardware store. Drill a hole in the top of the sending unit plate just big enough for the threaded part of the 90* fitting to fit. Imagine in the picture below (right) that a the hole is drilled directly to the left of the pickup tube. By having the top 90* piece penetrate the top of the sending unit with a male end, the female coupling can be used as a nut. Tighten snug with a gas resistant gasket between the bottom of the sending unit and the coupling.

http://www.edgesz28.com/edgesz28/pictures/tankfitting.JPGhttp://www.edgesz28.com/edgesz28/pictures/topsendingunit.jpg
http://www.edgesz28.com/edgesz28/pictures/bulkheadmethod.jpg

So the original supply line running up to the engine bay will be used as the return line, but will be connected to the new bulkhead fitting with some rubber hose. This is a low pressure side so regular fuel line is fine. However, you should use a section of hard 3/8" line between the bulkhead fitting to the front edge of the tank. This is because it is a very tight squeeze between the top of the tank and the trunk. It will literally squeeze a rubber hose up there. A short section of hose with clamps between nipples is fine.

I ran a new 3/8" supply line using the fuel injection hose that came with the Edelbrock Pro-Flo kit. This can also be purchased at a local supply store. I know Pep Boys carries it, but it is very expensive (like $3 a foot). So you might be better served to bend a new hard line and use a section of high pressure fuel injection hose between the engine and new line. You would also connect the new supply line to the original pickup line with some hose. Everywhere I have rubber line connected to hard line I have a brass compression fitting connected to the hard line with a threaded nipple for the hose end. Just be sure to have high pressure hose whenever rubber hose is located between the pump and regulator.

I hope this makes sense; I wish I had taken some pictures of the installation in detail. If you have any more questions, just ask. Ed

thanks alot Ed... I will definitly be back when I am ready to do it.. Just gathering info right now..