Conversion - Fuel System
A TPI or LT1 EFI system requires a high-pressure (50 p.s.i. or greater) fuel pump with a supply and return line from the tank. Normally, the supply line should be 3/8" minimum diameter and the return line should be 5/16" minimum return diameter. You can use an in-tank pump or an in-line pump for supply pressure. Tony elected to use a fuel cell in his car. I wanted to replicate a factory LT1 system as much as possible. I bought a complete Camaro fuel tank, fuel pump, and fuel line harness from Regal Performance in Rowlett, TX, (www.lt1s.com or, www.lt1sthatrun.com ) for around $130.00. The actual nylon/plastic lines in the fuel harness were about a foot too short due to the fact the stock location for Camaro/Firebird fuel tank is in front of the rear end. I had to buy a supply and return line for a ’96 Impala SS, which is plenty long and has the correct fittings. Total cost was $85.00, including an in-line fuel filter. I sent that tank and my stock Vega tank to Don Hart Radiator in Waller, TX to have them remove the top plate from the Camaro tank and weld it into my Vega tank so I can use the stock Camaro pump and fuel harness. I left the hole for the Vega pump and sender, and put the Vega sender, minus the pump, back in place so I can use the stock gauge. You should also have a baffle or sump in the tank to restrict fuel slosh during cornering so the pump won’t cavitate. I had a steel baffle welded into the Vega tank while it was apart. During the tank teardown, they found the beginnings of rust in my Vega tank, so it was treated with the Gas Tank Renu process. For $258.00, I got my tank modified to my specifications, completely cleaned and rustproofed, with a lifetime guarantee. I also retained the Camaro vapor recovery canister. The LT1 has an electronic purge solenoid on the right side of the throttle body that allows unburned vapor to be drawn from the canister to the manifold. If you plan on using the canister, make sure you include this in your wiring harness. It is relatively simple to use the vapor line from the Camaro fuel harness and run the Camaro canister in the same location as the Vega canister. The $490.00 I invested in my fuel system was about $100.00 more than I budgeted for, but probably worth it to allow me to duplicate a stock LT1 system.