I spent a boat load of time researching fuel filtering, pumps, and regulators in 2010 when we put the new 6.0 LQ4 into the race car.
In short fuel injectors like clean fuel, 10 micron was generally accepted at that time as a good long term filter size. But since fuel pumps don't like to pull fuel that size filter needed to go after the pump, problem arises that pumps want somewhat clean fuel too. It was generally accepted that a 100 micron filter was course enough to allow the pump to pull fuel through it as well as fine enough to catch pump hurting debris.
The Bosch 044 pump was also considered to be a great mid line pump with good fuel supply and not killer in cost. It can be used as an internal tank pump as well. A quality regulator should be placed after the 10 micron filter but could be used after the fuel rails or before in a dead head situation.
If a pump is used as an external pump it really should be mounted below the level of the fuel tank so that it can use the siphon effect to get fuel supply without pulling to hard. I know people that have gotten by with years of use on a pump mounted to the top of the tank and I also know people that kill pumps regularly with the same setup. Very few people talk about killing pumps when they are external and under the level of the fuel tank.
Stepping into 2019 and potential for higher fuel pressures and better injector tip technology I could see the need to filter to a smaller micron size in a gas engine, however I doubt the aftermarket world is to that point today. Diesel injection is a whole other animal and 2 microns is the standard for modern engines at this time.
I'm a fan of filters with more media area so that they last longer. Funny thing is though that a partially clogged filter is a really good filter as it's catching all the small stuff but it could be causing too much restriction too.
In short fuel injectors like clean fuel, 10 micron was generally accepted at that time as a good long term filter size. But since fuel pumps don't like to pull fuel that size filter needed to go after the pump, problem arises that pumps want somewhat clean fuel too. It was generally accepted that a 100 micron filter was course enough to allow the pump to pull fuel through it as well as fine enough to catch pump hurting debris.
The Bosch 044 pump was also considered to be a great mid line pump with good fuel supply and not killer in cost. It can be used as an internal tank pump as well. A quality regulator should be placed after the 10 micron filter but could be used after the fuel rails or before in a dead head situation.
If a pump is used as an external pump it really should be mounted below the level of the fuel tank so that it can use the siphon effect to get fuel supply without pulling to hard. I know people that have gotten by with years of use on a pump mounted to the top of the tank and I also know people that kill pumps regularly with the same setup. Very few people talk about killing pumps when they are external and under the level of the fuel tank.
Stepping into 2019 and potential for higher fuel pressures and better injector tip technology I could see the need to filter to a smaller micron size in a gas engine, however I doubt the aftermarket world is to that point today. Diesel injection is a whole other animal and 2 microns is the standard for modern engines at this time.
I'm a fan of filters with more media area so that they last longer. Funny thing is though that a partially clogged filter is a really good filter as it's catching all the small stuff but it could be causing too much restriction too.
