I just bought a '88 GT with a 3800 SC Series II that was not running due to bad fuel pump. I did not hear it run before I dropped the tank and pulled it out. I just did a bench test on it and it did not run. The seller had done some tests and was fairly certain the pump was bad. He needed to sell the car as he was moving to NJ for his work.
What are the recommended AC Delco pumps that can be used without needing to rewire (like an Airtex product would) for 3800 SC? Corvette pump?
Thanks for the help.
[This message has been edited by hdryder (edited 05-28-2013).]
I just bought a '88 GT with a 3800 SC Series II that was not running due to bad fuel pump. I did not hear it run before I dropped the tank and pulled it out. I just did a bench test on it and it did not run. The seller had done some tests and was fairly certain the pump was bad. He needed to sell the car as he was moving to NJ for his work.
What are the recommend AC Delco pumps that can be used without needing to rewire for 3800 SC? Corvette pump?
Thanks for the help.
EP381 is a direct fit pump that works well with the 3800SC...
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06:06 PM
nosrac Member
Posts: 3520 From: Euless, TX, US Registered: Jan 2005
As stated, those pumps are a direct fit. You will need to just change the bottom rubber insert where the pump seats into the pump bracket. When installing AC Delco fuel pumps, they are the gyrotor design so you'll need to use a new pulsator with the pump.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
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09:56 PM
hdryder Member
Posts: 674 From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA Registered: Apr 2011
I'm having trouble finding a new rubber insert that fits between the bottom of the pump, and the module bracket. The old one from my pump is hardened, breaking and not re-usable, and the new ones with the new pump are the wrong shape for my bracket.
[This message has been edited by hdryder (edited 05-28-2013).]
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05:53 PM
Darth Fiero Member
Posts: 5922 From: Waterloo, Indiana Registered: Oct 2002
The EP376 was not designed to work with fuel systems that ran more than 47 psi of fuel pressure. Independent tests have shown some EP376 pumps not being able to keep up with the demands even a stock 3800 Series 2 SC engine can put on them (because these engines run fuel pressures of 60psi or higher with boost). Some EP376 pumps may be able to keep up, but some may not. Why take the chance of running your engine lean?
The EP381 is the pump you want if you have a stock or lightly modded 3800 Series 2 SC engine. These pumps are capable of providing enough fuel for boosted engines making up to about 300 crank HP.
The EP381 is a direct, drop-in / bolt-up for 87-88 Fieros and some late 86's. Earlier Fiero gas tank sending units may require wiring modification to use this pump.
-ryan
------------------ OVERKILL IS UNDERRATED Custom GM OBD1 & OBD2 Tuning | Engine Conversions & more | www.gmtuners.com
[This message has been edited by Darth Fiero (edited 05-28-2013).]
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06:29 PM
James Bond 007 Member
Posts: 8872 From: California.U.S.A. Registered: Dec 2002
I recomend The Walbro 3800 SC II fuel pump. Keep in mind,some aftermarket fuel pumps reverse wire their pumps for Example the OEM fuel pump might be Little prong hot +, Big prong ground--. an aftermarket fuel pump might be Little prong ground--, Big Prong hot+. Slight posibility you have a bad fuel pump relay or the origional owner installed the pump wireing wrong. Otherwise the recomendations are a direct drop in,because you would most likely have to change out the old wireing with the new fuel pump wireing. Use a pice of fuel line or High pressure fuel line for the pulsator (noise surpressor). You shouldnt need anything else.Unless you need a new fuel sending unit (gas guage Level) Fiero Store.You might allso consider straping the fuel pump to its metal fuel line support,this will prevent the pump from poping off, if you hit a pot hole (I actualley had that happen).
[This message has been edited by James Bond 007 (edited 05-28-2013).]
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07:19 PM
PFF
System Bot
hdryder Member
Posts: 674 From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA Registered: Apr 2011
Dennis, I tried an EP376, and the rubber insert that is included in the new pump is not the correct shape to fit in my bracket. The old rubber insert is so hard, it is breaking apart and not re-usable. Where can I locate a rubber insert that will work with the new AC pump, and my bracket?
Ryan, I am going to return the EP376 pump and get an EP381 as you have suggested. Thanks for that info about the EP376.
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08:41 PM
May 29th, 2013
hdryder Member
Posts: 674 From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA Registered: Apr 2011
Has anyone used a Carter brand pump that cross-reference the EP381 AC Delco part number?
They are in stock at Pep Boys and have the same wire connection, so no re-wire is required. Lower price. Same 1 year warranty as AC Delco. But if they are no good, I don't want to bother with them.
Thanks for the help
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05:54 AM
James Bond 007 Member
Posts: 8872 From: California.U.S.A. Registered: Dec 2002
Has anyone used a Carter brand pump that cross-reference the EP381 AC Delco part number?
They are in stock at Pep Boys and have the same wire connection, so no re-wire is required. Lower price. Same 1 year warranty as AC Delco. But if they are no good, I don't want to bother with them.
Thanks for the help
Ide ask one of the employees at the Pepboys parts counter,if they get maney returns for "Carter" brand fuel pumps.Allso Google this. Carter fuel pumps any good? You'll get links with some info. Reviews seem to be mixed (for and against). http://www.bobistheoilguy.c...wflat&Number=2596704
[This message has been edited by James Bond 007 (edited 05-29-2013).]
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
hdryder asked me the question via email why the EP381 pump, which was made for a truck, was rated at higher pressures than the EP376 that was made for a Corvette. I think this is a good question so I will also post the answer here.
The EP381 was used in GMC Syclone / Typhoon 4.3L Turbo applications as well as 96-up Vortec Truck applications. The Vortec Truck fuel systems ran a higher fuel pressure than what the Corvette did. The Turbo 4.3L application ran higher pressures with boost than what the Corvette did. So a fuel pump capable of supplying the needed fuel at the higher pressure spec was needed for these applications (like it is in the 3800 SC applications).
Napa Auto Parts does not sell Delco brand fuel pumps but they do sell Delphi brand pumps and they have flow rates and pressure specs published on their website; and they have a parts interchange so you can cross-reference Delco part numbers with the brands they sell. Using Napa's numbers, here is what they say:
The EP376 crosses to a Delphi FE0111 which they say flows a maximum of 27.6 gal/hr @ 50.8 psi. Now the thing you need to know about electric fuel pumps is the higher the fuel pressure, the lower the rated flow output they will produce. So even though this pump outputs 27.6 gal/hr @ 50.8psi, it will NOT output 27.6 gal/hr @ higher pressures. It will output less. But even using these given numbers, we can calculate that this pump would only support about 254 crank HP on a boosted engine (if that engine only needed a maximum fuel pressure of 50.8psi). On a non-boosted engine, this pump would support up to about 331 crank HP.
The EP381 crosses to a Delphi FE0114 which they say flows a maximum of 32.4 gal/hr @ 61 psi. Doing the math we can figure this pump supports about 299 crank HP on a boosted engine and up to about 389 crank HP on a non-boosted engine.
The calculations and variables used to figure the above out are as follows:
Fuel pump flow rate (lb/hr) / BSFC = HP supported
Whereas BSFC (brake specific fuel consumption) is about 0.5 for a non-boosted engine and 0.65 for a boosted (turbo or SC) engine.
1 gallon of gasoline = about 6 lbs
Having said all that; different brands of fuel pumps are not created equal. I consider Delco and Delphi brand fuel pumps to be some of the best OE quality pumps available. I've used the other brand pumps like Airtex, Carter, and Bosch and had problems with every one of these brands. Never had what I consider to be a "premature failure" of a Delco or Delphi brand fuel pump.
As far as the aftermarket performance pumps are concerned (like Walbro, Deatschwerks, etc); each has their pros and cons so someone considering using one of these pumps needs to do research on them before buying. If you are building a swap that is going to make more power than what even the EP381 can supply enough fuel for, then you will have no choice but to use an aftermarket performance fuel pump.
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12:18 PM
aaronkoch Member
Posts: 1643 From: Spokane, WA Registered: Aug 2003
I just purchased a Deutchwerks 200 pump for one of my 3800 SC cars. It is supposed to be a direct install and comes with a universal installation kit for about $95. There is a no fault three year warranty and the pump is designed to handle alcohol presence in the fuel.
Nelson
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06:00 PM
hdryder Member
Posts: 674 From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA Registered: Apr 2011
The EP376 crosses to a Delphi FE0111 which they say flows a maximum of 27.6 gal/hr @ 50.8 psi. .
The EP381 crosses to a Delphi FE0114 which they say flows a maximum of 32.4 gal/hr @ 61 psi.
I would totally agree if those numbers were 100% accurate but as we know manufactures tend rate the products conservatively to the application and you have to take in account the voltage along with the psi. The higher voltage across the pump the higher the flow potential (Fuel pump Hot wire is good). Finally, you have to consider the injector flow rate as larger injectors will dramatically effect flow rate.
So long story short is there are many variables that determine if you will have enough fuel for your application. I used the ep-376 with 42.5# injectors on stock fuel pump voltage when I was supercharged with more than 300WHP and had plenty of fuel according to my scans.
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02:17 PM
Darth Fiero Member
Posts: 5922 From: Waterloo, Indiana Registered: Oct 2002
Originally posted by nosrac: I would totally agree if those numbers were 100% accurate but as we know manufactures tend rate the products conservatively to the application and you have to take in account the voltage along with the psi. The higher voltage across the pump the higher the flow potential (Fuel pump Hot wire is good). Finally, you have to consider the injector flow rate as larger injectors will dramatically effect flow rate.
So long story short is there are many variables that determine if you will have enough fuel for your application. I used the ep-376 with 42.5# injectors on stock fuel pump voltage when I was supercharged with more than 300WHP and had plenty of fuel according to my scans.
Does available voltage and amperage at the fuel pump affect maxium output? Sure. Without knowing the exact conditions NAPA or Delphi ran their tests at, we have to assume they ran both the pumps in question with the same available voltage and amperage. And given this, the published numbers say the EP381 outputs more volume at a higher pressure than the EP376. So why would anyone want to buy a lesser pump and then have to turn around and perform a bunch of extra wiring work and/or install a voltage booster to try to get it to output more flow when they can spend about the same money for a BETTER PUMP in the first place???
A given pump is going to output a certain volume at a certain pressure regardless of how big the injectors are. If your injectors flow LESS fuel than what the fuel pump can supply, then you should never have a problem with the fuel pump you are using. However, if the injectors flow more fuel (and the engine needs more fuel) than what the fuel pump you are using can supply, you will likely experience a fuel pressure drop (below your pressure spec setting) when the flow rate demands of the injectors and engine exceed what the pump can supply.
I don't know anything about the particular EP-376 fuel pump you had. As you stated: "as we know manufactures tend rate the products conservatively to the application"; and perhaps you got a really good one that was able to keep up with the demands of your engine. But who is to say some other guy who goes and buys an EP-376 pump doesn't end up with one that just barely meets the minimum specs I posted? Can YOU personally guarantee every EP-376 pump sold today will do as good as the one you had? I would hope you wouldn't make such promises.
The information in my post and my conclustions are based on the pressure and flow specs provided either by NAPA or by Delphi. I am not going to waste my money buying every different brand variation of the EP-376 and EP-381 pumps on the market and send them off to be flow tested to see how they actually test out. It isn't worth it. So all I have left to go on is flow test data from either the parts reseller or manufacturer (whoever is providing us that information). And given only those numbers, the results say the EP-381 pump is the only one of the two rated to work with a Supercharged 3800 Series 2 engine (that meets its flow and pressure specifications).
If you want to continue telling everyone to use an EP-376 pump, that is your business. But I can tell you I've tuned PCMs for more than a few people who were using EP-376 pumps and these people found out their pump was not able to keep up with their engines. Perhaps they just didn't get as good of quality of EP-376 pumps as you did. But I can't guarantee that every EP-376 pump sold today will perform as well as yours did so I can't recommend this pump to anyone with a 3800 Series 2 SC engine.
All I can recommend is the Delphi FE0114 sold by NAPA which they say flows a maximum of 32.4 gal/hr @ 61 psi will support about 299 crank HP on a boosted engine and up to about 389 crank HP on a non-boosted engine.
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04:04 PM
PFF
System Bot
Darth Fiero Member
Posts: 5922 From: Waterloo, Indiana Registered: Oct 2002
I would like to give an example of what I'm talking about concerning maximum output of a fuel pump and how injector flow rates relate to that...
Let's say you have 6 fuel injectors that flow 36 lb/hr each at 60 psi of fuel pressure. If we ran these at 100% duty cycle (which you should never do as the theoretical maximum duty cycle for modern fuel injectors is about 80%); 6x 36 lb/hr injectors would flow 216 lb/hr of fuel. As long as you were using a fuel pump that could supply AT LEAST 216 lb/hr of fuel flow at 60 psi, you would be fine.
But, if your fuel pump could supply say only 200 lb/hr of fuel at 60 psi, then what you would see is a fuel pressure drop if you tried to get 216 lb/hr flow out of it (because it can only flow 200 lb/hr @ 60psi). So what would happen is the pressure it could output would drop until the flow rate reached 216 lb/hr. The lower the fuel pressure demand put on a given fuel pump, the higher the volume of flow output it will be able to supply. The inverse is also true: the higher the pressure, the lower the volume of flow output. This is the case for all electric fuel pumps. The http://www.deatschwerks.com...dw300-fuel-pump-tech graph shows this.
Now, the thing you need to know is as fuel pressure drops, so does the flow rate thru a given orifice (injector nozzle). So as the fuel pressure output of the pump drops as you exceed its flow rate, the flow rate of the injectors will drop because of the resulting drop in fuel pressure.
How does all this apply to the real-world? Well there is a simple check you can do. On a supercharged 3800 Series 2 engine, the base fuel pressure spec is 50-54 psi with no vacuum or boost acting on the regulator. As boost acts on the regulator, fuel pressure will increase about 1 psi per pound of boost over the base. So if your base fuel pressure is 50 psi, if you are getting 10 pounds of boost from the supercharger, your fuel pressure spec should be 60 psi. All you need to do is monitor fuel pressure at full boost to see that the pressure is remaining steady and in direct relation with boost pressure. If it is, then your fuel pump is able to keep up with the demands being put on it. But if you see fuel pressure dropping off as RPMs increase (but with boost remaining the same or climbing), then you are exceeding the demands of the fuel pump you are using and you will need to take action to correct the problem (either upgrade the fuel pump, correct a wiring issue that is causing a voltage drop at the pump, or remove any fuel system restrictions that may exist).
Once you have determined that your fuel pump is able to keep up with the demands of the engine, the next check you want to do is make sure your tune and your injectors can keep up with the demands of the engine. To do this you will need a wideband O2 sensor. The accepted industry standard for making maximum HP out of a boosted engine is 12.0:1 AFR and out of an N/A engine it is 13.0:1 AFR. I can tell you that through my years of tuning (and dyno tuning) experience, you don't lose much of any power at all running the engine a little richer than these figures and it is always a good idea to give yourself a little extra margin of safety in the tune. So my recommendations for AFR numbers are 11.5-11.8:1 on boosted engines and 12.5-12.8:1 on N/A engines at WOT/full boost.
Concerning injector duty cycle, 21ms on a 3800 OBD2 PCM is considered to be the maximum you ever want to drive them to. If you are seeing injector duty cycles exceeding the 21ms threshold (and your fuel pressure is at spec but your AFRs are going lean), then you probably need to upgrade to bigger injectors.
[This message has been edited by Darth Fiero (edited 05-31-2013).]
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04:35 PM
nosrac Member
Posts: 3520 From: Euless, TX, US Registered: Jan 2005
So why would anyone want to buy a lesser pump and then have to turn around and perform a bunch of extra wiring work and/or install a voltage booster to try to get it to output more flow when they can spend about the same money for a BETTER PUMP in the first place??? I don't know anything about the particular EP-376 fuel pump you had. As you stated: "as we know manufactures tend rate the products conservatively to the application"; and perhaps you got a really good one that was able to keep up with the demands of your engine. But who is to say some other guy who goes and buys an EP-376 pump doesn't end up with one that just barely meets the minimum specs I posted? Can YOU personally guarantee every EP-376 pump sold today will do as good as the one you had? I would hope you wouldn't make such promises.
The information in my post and my conclustions are based on the pressure and flow specs provided either by NAPA or by Delphi.
If you want to continue telling everyone to use an EP-376 pump, that is your business. But I can tell you I've tuned PCMs for more than a few people who were using EP-376 pumps and these people found out their pump was not able to keep up with their engines. Perhaps they just didn't get as good of quality of EP-376 pumps as you did. But I can't guarantee that every EP-376 pump sold today will perform as well as yours did so I can't recommend this pump to anyone with a 3800 Series 2 SC engine. .
Ok...lol You are the expert. I am just stating what I used worked well for me. But to play devils advocate and have a very good tech discussion. You are basing your conclusion off of spec's but it doesn't tell which voltage they were performed @. Didn't you and Loyde have this discussion as he swore by the 376? Who is to say the EP-381's are all created equal as I know the walbro's aren't. My EP-376 was good to go as the proof is in the pudding. I agree 100% with go with the better pump but why is the EP-376 more expensive and came in the corvette if is in fact a inferior pump? I thought corvette was top of the line equipment.
For example: I was told that the F23 manual trans could only handle 170HP but it is proven to handle 400+ lbf-ft
quote
The F23 is a five-speed manual transmission manufactured by Getrag in Italy. It is designed for transverse engine applications, primarily by General Motors. It can handle torque inputs of up to 230 newton metres (170 lbf·ft)
But to end my rant I would absolutely run the EP-381 just because you said so. I value your opinion more than I trust my "mechanical" ability or lack there of.
[This message has been edited by nosrac (edited 05-31-2013).]
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07:37 PM
Darth Fiero Member
Posts: 5922 From: Waterloo, Indiana Registered: Oct 2002
Ok...lol You are the expert. I am just stating what I used worked well for me. But to play devils advocate and have a very good tech discussion. You are basing your conclusion off of spec's but it doesn't tell which voltage they were performed @. Didn't you and Loyde have this discussion as he swore by the 376? Who is to say the EP-381's are all created equal as I know the walbro's aren't. My EP-376 was good to go as the proof is in the pudding. I agree 100% with go with the better pump but why is the EP-376 more expensive and came in the corvette if is in fact a inferior pump? I thought corvette was top of the line equipment.
I was told that the F23 manual trans could only handle 170HP but it is proven to handle 400+ lbf-ft The F23 is a five-speed manual transmission manufactured by Getrag in Italy. It is designed for transverse engine applications, primarily by General Motors. It can handle torque inputs of up to 230 newton metres (170 lbf·ft)
But to end my rant I would absolutely run the EP-381 just because you said so. I value your opinion more than I trust my "mechanical" ability or lack there of.
Loyde stole how much money and people's parts again? He gave bad advice for years on this forum and that bad advice continues today as it appears. I'm still fixing his bad PCM tunes that his former customers keep sending me because there are problems with them.
I do recall that at one point years ago Loyde and I had a disagreement about the EP-376. He even sent out an EP-376 pump to be flow tested and the numbers he got from it showed pretty much the same thing the NAPA numbers tell us today. IE: It isn't really enough for a 3800 Series 2 SC engine!
Just because something was used on a Corvette doesn't make it gold and it doesn't mean that part is going to work properly with different components on a different vehicle. We are talking about two totally different engines with different fuel needs and different fuel pressure specs here. The Corvette LT1 ran a max fuel pressure of 47psi and had a 0.5 brake specific fuel consumption factor. The 3800 Series 2 SC requires a max fuel pressure of 60psi or more and has a 0.65 brake specific fuel consumption factor - which means it uses more fuel to make each HP vs. the N/A Corvette engine.
As far as the F23 trans is concerned - I don't understand how that has anything to do with a fuel pump discussion...??? And didn't somebody with a 3800 just break one of those recently anyway?
[This message has been edited by Darth Fiero (edited 05-31-2013).]
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09:38 PM
nosrac Member
Posts: 3520 From: Euless, TX, US Registered: Jan 2005
Loyde stole how much money and people's parts again? He gave bad advice for years on this forum and that bad advice continues today as it appears. I'm still fixing his bad PCM tunes that his former customers keep sending me because there are problems with them.
I do recall that at one point years ago Loyde and I had a disagreement about the EP-376. He even sent out an EP-376 pump to be flow tested and the numbers he got from it showed pretty much the same thing the NAPA numbers tell us today. IE: It isn't really enough for a 3800 Series 2 SC engine!
Just because something was used on a Corvette doesn't make it gold. Totally different engine with different fuel needs and different fuel pressure specs than the engine we are talking about here. That's been my whole point all along.
As far as the F23 trans is concerned - I don't understand how that has anything to do with a fuel pump discussion...??? And didn't somebody with a 3800 just break one of those recently anyway?
Yes, Loyde stole but that doesn't mean he wasn't a good 3800 installer. I will agree on his tuning but I find that most guys that can wrench good aren't tuning specialist (excluding you of course) You rock. My point on the F23 trans is that the specs are all wrong thus people will make wrong recommendations because they are misled by inaccurate data. You are basing your recommendation on published specs but if the data is wrong or misleading then your argument doesn't hold water (in regards to the EP-376). I know quite a few people including myself who have used the EP-376 in a modded 3800SC without issue. You say we lucked out and got good pumps, well you may be right. If you had to fix several cars with fueling issues using the EP-376 then I would understand your point of view better. I know you have had good luck with the Walbro pumps when other have had failures but what does that mean? Who knows but all I can say is what my experience using the EP-376 was very good and I'm NOT basing that off spec sheet data but real world data. (you gotta acknowledge that) Anyhoo, I use the DW300 now and based on others and my experience then that is what I would recommend.
Don't get me wrong as I'm not trying to recommend the 376 over the 381 but based off my experience the 376 will work fine. You say it won't work but it is hard pill for me to swallow when I know it does work as I ran it issue free for 2 years under back 2 Back 2 Back WOT racing conditions. I have 40+ 1/4 mile passes as I'm not talking about cruising around the block to a auto show but hard WOT all she can give me runs. It seems to me if the pumps really couldn't handle the fueling demands then it and my engine should have gave up the ghost. (unless someone installed a 381 and told me it was a 376) ...LOL
[This message has been edited by nosrac (edited 05-31-2013).]
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10:22 PM
Jun 1st, 2013
Darth Fiero Member
Posts: 5922 From: Waterloo, Indiana Registered: Oct 2002
Yes, Loyde stole but that doesn't mean he wasn't a good 3800 installer. I will agree on his tuning but I find that most guys that can wrench good aren't tuning specialist (excluding you of course) You rock. My point on the F23 trans is that the specs are all wrong thus people will make wrong recommendations because they are misled by inaccurate data. You are basing your recommendation on published specs but if the data is wrong or misleading then your argument doesn't hold water (in regards to the EP-376). I know quite a few people including myself who have used the EP-376 in a modded 3800SC without issue. You say we lucked out and got good pumps, well you may be right. If you had to fix several cars with fueling issues using the EP-376 then I would understand your point of view better. I know you have had good luck with the Walbro pumps when other have had failures but what does that mean? Who knows but all I can say is what my experience using the EP-376 was very good and I'm NOT basing that off spec sheet data but real world data. (you gotta acknowledge that) Anyhoo, I use the DW300 now and based on others and my experience then that is what I would recommend.
Don't get me wrong as I'm not trying to recommend the 376 over the 381 but based off my experience the 376 will work fine. You say it won't work but it is hard pill for me to swallow when I know it does work as I ran it issue free for 2 years under back 2 Back 2 Back WOT racing conditions. I have 40+ 1/4 mile passes as I'm not talking about cruising around the block to a auto show but hard WOT all she can give me runs. It seems to me if the pumps really couldn't handle the fueling demands then it and my engine should have gave up the ghost. (unless someone installed a 381 and told me it was a 376) ...LOL
I have many reasons for disagreeing with you on the comment that Loyde was a good installer. But that is a topic for another thread.
Back to fuel pumps...
I have a walbro 255lph pump I bought probably a little over 6 years ago installed in my Fiero that I've been running for these past 6 years. Never had one problem with it. People I know on here (and some not on here) including some customers who I have done swaps for who have the same pump that was purchased LESS than 6 years ago have experienced some pump failures. What happened? Well, shortly after I bought my walbro pump, there was that whole deal with counterfeit walbro pumps from china hitting the market and being sold here in the U.S.. And the counterfeit pumps had a very high failure rate. I've heard that even some genuine walbro pumps made after this fiasco had such problems. Why? I don't know. All I know is I have one that is over 6 years old and it works great. Can I confidently recommend the same or equivalent walbro pump you can buy new today? Not any more - because I don't know what every retailer is selling and I don't know if what they are selling is as good of quality and is going to be as reliable as the very same walbro pump I have in my car.
If you bought your EP-376 2+ years ago who is to say you will get the exact same pump capable of doing the same thing yours did if you went and bought a new one today? We don't know. Is it possible one you buy today will be as good as yours? Sure. But is it also possible one you buy today won't be as good as yours? Sure - there's the problem. You are basing your recommendation on an assumption that anyone that goes out today and buys any EP-376 from any vendor will end up with a pump that will greatly exceed the minimum manufacturer's specifications for the application it was designed for. That's a pretty big risk for someone to take with their engine.
I guess I just don't understand why this is so hard for some people to comprehend. I'm not saying that every EP-376 ever made absolutely won't work with a 3800 SC engine. You have said it worked for you and I've heard other people say the same. But, on the other side of that coin, I've had people with EP-376 pumps experience the very problems I'm warning about which is what gives me pause. What I am saying AND recommending is this: there is another pump made by the same manufacturer that is RATED to meet the minimum pressure and flow specifications of a stock or lightly modded 3800 Series 2 SC engine - and that pump is the EP-381. The EP-376's specifications say it will probably fall short. So why would you even want to risk using an EP-376 when there is something better out there that costs about the same? It makes no sense...
Bottom line: PLEASE STOP recommending the EP-376 fuel pump for 3800 SC applications. Instead, you can recommend the EP-381 for 3800 Series 2 SC applications making LESS than 300 crank HP.
