Why No Return Line On Aftermarket Fuel Pumps

[Bohemian]

So I'm curious IF it's such a good idea to use a return line why do the aftermarket fuel pumps like Edelbrock Performer for SBC's for example only have a inlet & outlet?

It seems most if not all factory replacement fuel pumps with the return line found on most K5 Blazers with a Small block Chevy are made in China or Mexico or other non American made Crapola.

While the aftermarket ones from Edelbrock are Billet 100% made in USA from 100% American Materials by Americans

Thanks in advance.

 

[frankin5]

Mainly selling to the race market and those that didn't have a return line from factory.

 

[diesel4me]

Sounds right to me...though vapor lock might be even more likely on a race car!....

I suppose if you had to have a return line and want a billet pump,you'd have to resort to using a gas filter with a "3rd nipple" used on some old Buicks,AMC and Mopars,that had the return line fitting made into the canister of the filter...and plumb that line to the one that went on the OEM fuel pump vapor return nipple..

 

[Bohemian]

FWIW Edelbrock touts it's Performer Fuel Pumps as "High Performance Street Fuel Pumps" and quantifies others as for drag racing etc.

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/mc/fuel-pumps/

It just seems like such a huge oversight to not offer the same fuel pump with a return line since there are far more with a return line than without... Bigger market, more profitable.

Another motivating factor for me is I can't stand utilizing non American made products.

 

[Bohemian]

Looks like "Marine Mechanical Fuel Pumps" are the hot ticket...

They all apparently are required by law to have a return line and they make them for Small Block & Big Block Chevys!

E.G.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Carter/180/M6973/10002/-1

Found Holley & Carter Examples, but not a Edelbrock one so far.

 

[handloader90]

Why not just get a $17.99 parts store fuel pump?

I've beem using them for years...

Never had an issue, if any of them did no big deal they're covered by a lifetime warranty. Remove it and get a new one free of charge.

 

[Bohemian]

Why not just get a $17.99 parts store fuel pump?

I've beem using them for years...

Never had an issue, if any of them did no big deal they're covered by a lifetime warranty. Remove it and get a new one free of charge.

As soon as I find one made in USA again I will.

 

[nvrenuf]

Factory vs performance is apples vs oranges, simply not a comparison. Most applications with a performance fuel pump run a pressure regulator to control the higher pressure the pumps produce, lots of regulators available with a provision for a return line.

 

[frankin5]

quote: As soon as I find one made in USA again I will. quote:

Auto parts made in America are very very rare find in today market .

 

[Hoss7979]

If you want a return line on a electric pump your gonna need a return style fuel regulator. Also anything less than 3/8 ports in the fuel pump will choke off the fuel pressure.

 

[Mastiff]

Can you guys educate me? Everything I'm familiar with has a return line back to the tank at the regulator so the fuel circulates without the pump knowing about it. I guess my original mechanical pump had a return, but now that I think about it, I never really understood what was going on. I guess the pump could pump with full flow all the time and if the carb didn't want it, it went back to the tank. Is that how these electric ones work that you are talking about? What applications do they go in?

 

[Blue85]

The OEM systems got rid of the return line mostly to reduce the evaporative emissions. Circulating the fuel transfers engine bay heat back into the fuel tank, which causes more vapor. It also means one less line to run the length of the car. Really, they are the same system (pump, regulator, return), but the pieces are located differently. In a "returnless" system, the regulator and return are inside the tank instead of on the fuel rail.

Just because a pump has a single inlet and single outlet doesn't mean it can only be "returnless" or "return-style". It depends on the rest of the setup.