A high-performance engine demands a fuel system capable of delivering precise amounts of fuel under varying conditions. Whether you’re building for drifting, road racing, or street, the fuel system is the backbone of your setup.

In this post, we’ll cover the key components of a performance fuel system, how they work together, and what to consider when upgrading. From selecting the right fuel pump to optimal injector size, we’ll help you build a system that keeps your engine running strong and efficiently.

Key Components of a Fuel System

Fuel Pumps

Purpose: Deliver fuel from the tank to the engine at the required pressure and volume.

• In-Tank Pumps (Example Pictured Above): These are located inside the fuel tank. They’re quieter and more efficient due to their placement, as the surrounding fuel helps cool the pump. In-tank pumps are often sufficient for most setups, but higher-power builds may require upgrades.
• Inline Pumps: Mounted externally, these pumps are commonly used as supplementary units for high power applications. They’re ideal for builds where the primary in-tank pump can’t keep up with fuel demands.

Fuel Filters

Purpose: Remove contaminants from the fuel to protect injectors and the engine.

• Primary Filters: Positioned between the tank and the pump, these filters (often around 100 microns) are your first line of defense. They’re designed to catch larger particles that could damage the pump. In an in-tank fuel pump installation this would be the sock installed directly on the pump.
• Secondary Filters: Installed between the pump and the injectors, these finer filters (typically around 6-10 microns) ensure only clean fuel reaches the engine. This protects the injectors and ensures consistent performance.
• Replaceable element filters are a common option here, offering convenience and ease of maintenance for both primary and secondary filtration.

Fuel Pressure Regulators

Purpose: Maintain consistent fuel pressure for optimal atomization and engine performance.

• Adjustable Regulators: Allows precise base fuel pressure adjustment, which is particularly useful for high-performance setups that require exact fuel pressure. Most aftermarket regulators are going to be adjustable and reference engine manifold pressure for a 1:1 increase in fuel pressure with MAP.
• Fixed Regulators: Set at a specific pressure, these are simpler and suitable for more basic usually NA builds.

Fuel Injectors

Purpose: Deliver precise amounts of fuel into the engine’s cylinders.

Key factors to consider:

• Flow Rate: Measured in cc/min or lbs/hr, this determines how much fuel an injector can deliver.
• Duty Cycle: This is the percentage of time an injector is open during an engine cycle. Staying within the recommended duty cycle ensures reliability. Typically a good rule of thumb is staying below 85% duty cycle. This allows the ecu to have headroom to increase the fueling in the case of a failing pump or clogged filter. It also allows you to turn up the boost ;) .