Big power means big fuel. In order to achieve that next level of performance, there are certain steps or upgrades that need to be made. The factory fuel system is only capable of flowing so much and as fuel injectors are increased, CP3s are modified to flow more, and along with tuning keeps the injectors open longer the fuel pressure will eventually come up show.

The A1000 fuel pump from Aeromotive is a go to pump in the gas world. The main time you see this type of high volume high pressure fuel pump used is with trucks running the 6.0 and 7.3 Power Strokes engines or someone running a full competition system. Theses pumps require an external fuel pressure regulator somewhere in the system.

Depending on which fuel system your truck uses, depends on what happens when the fuel pump starts to drop pressure and cannot keep up with system demand. But no matter how much damage is caused, it is always a good idea to ensure that the engine has all of the fuel at the minimum fuel pressure recommended (if not more).

In the aftermarket, there are a few options to flow more fuel. No matter if you opt to add a new low pressure lift pump, a complete fuel system or a high pressure fuel pump that needs to be regulated later, getting the fuel to the pump is critical.

The factory fuel systems are designed such that the fuel in the fuel tank is sucked from the bottom of the tank out the top and down the frame. Depending on how large of a fuel pump you opt for, will determine if this setup will work or not. Many times the factory system needs to be upgraded because the fuel lines are too small.

The AirDog fuel system is a high volume low pressure regulated system. There is no need for a pressure regulator further down the line. In addition, these systems provide a tight package with the filters all mounted to the same assembly.

There are two methods to upgrade the fuel pickup. One method is to keep the same process as the factory fuel system, but increase the size. The fuel is still sucked up from the bottom of the tank through a tube. The difference in the aftermarket tubes is size. To install the much larger size tubes, the fuel tank is dropped, a hole is drilled in the top of the tank and the installer has to cut the tube to length. Depending on how well the tube is cut will depend if you are able to “suck” all of the fuel out of the tank or not. What commonly happens is that the installer cuts the tube too short and the trucks run out of fuel early.

Above is a typical aftermarket fuel pickup tube assembly.

The second method is becoming the go to way for performance applications. This method allows fuel to naturally flow down into a bowl and then the fuel is sucked or fed into the fuel pump. This setup not only helps with for drainage of the fuel tank, but it reduces the chance of boiling the fuel caused from a high vacuum that can happen with the draw tube setup described in method one.

Depending on the manufacturer, the fuel tank may or may not need to be dropped. One system that doesn’t require the fuel tank to be dropped is DieselRx’s new Fuel Sump. Using this type of fuel bowl requires a 2-inch hole in the bottom of the fuel tank. (The fuel tank does need a 4.5-inch flat spot for the 2-inch hole.) Once the hole is made, there are two threaded plates that need to be set in place in the tank. Then the bowl is held in place and the bowl is bolted to the backing plates.

These type of systems are easier on fuel pumps and can ensure that the fuel pump always has fuel (as long as the fuel tank has fuel). If you are interested in this type of fuel pick up, check out the new DieselRX Fuel Sump.