racetronix Fuel System

All of these installations are to be performed at your own risk!!!!

            So if you don't want to spend $2000 on  a proper fuel system that supports over 1000 HP what can you do to help?  If you don't need the big dog fuel system and you want to support a little over 500 HP what do you do?  Well, the Racetronix pump and harness kit is one of the answers.  Here is the info from website of this particular vendor (Racetronix).

           

1997-2002 C5 Corvette High Performance Fuel Pump System
 
--------
Fuel Pump
  • Walbro direct-fit HP Gerotor Jet Pump
  • GM type no-kink solvent resistant fuel tube
  • Upgraded 14 gauge Teflon in-tank wiring
  • Direct-power pump wiring (no adapters / splices)
  • Redundant in-tank ground loop (solves problem)
  • Fuel screen
  • Silicon gasket seal
  • SS Hose clamp
  • One year replacement warranty 
Hotwire Harness
  • Alternator-direct power for maximum voltage
  • True PnP with GM type connectors
  • Pump-booster PnP ready
  • Fuel pump drain & power system
  • Genuine Delphi water-proof connectors
  • Heavy 10 gauge main power wire
  • Siemens / Tyco 40 amp mil. spec. sealed relay
  • Redundant grounds = improved voltage & reliability
  • Spare ATC fuses, wire ties, silicon grease
  • SS Mounting hardware
  • All connections crimped and soldered 
  • Lifetime warranty
Walbro direct-fit HP Gerotor Jet Pump:

This pump is a direct fit replacement for the factory Walbro jet-pump. Direct-fit means no modification to the fuel module is 
required therefore the full functionality of the fill bucket is maintained. The fill-bucket allows the fuel pump to use its jet + venturi 
function to keep the pump immersed in fuel at all times regardless of the tank fuel level. This aids in preventing fuel starvation under 
hard cornering and acceleration. Keeping the pump immersed in fuel also helps prevent moisture damage which can shorten the pump's life.

GM type no-kink solvent resistant fuel tube:

This fuel tube is the same type used by GM from the factory. The fuel tube is kink-resistant thanks to its ribbed design. Its special composition makes it more resistant to the solvents in today's pump gas (i.e. toluene, Xylene, MTBE, Ethanol) as compared to 
rubber / neoprene which dries out, swells and cracks.

Upgraded 14 gauge Teflon in-tank wiring:

Racetronix has upgraded the factory Teflon wiring from 16 gauge to 14 gauge silver-plated multi-strand copper wire. This helps 
reduce voltage drop and at the same time maintains the same level of resistance to fuel solvents as the factory wiring. Generic Walbro kits do not use Teflon wire but rather a much less expensive plastic type.

Direct-power pump wiring (no adapters / splices):

The Racetronix in-tank wiring harness is a one-piece assembly. One end has the Walbro connector and the other is fitted with GM type terminals which are installed directly into the factory connector making it true plug & play. Generic wiring harnesses require cutting and splicing of the factory wiring.

Redundant in-tank ground loop (solves problem):

The factory in-tank wiring has the ground from the pump and ground from the power connector split into two circuits which relies on push-lock terminals and the module's body as a ground junction source. We have seen these connectors lose and in some cases corroded. If one were to fail the pump would lose power. Racetronix has redesigned the grounding system with a daisy-chain / loop through circuit. This way there are three grounds all tied together thereby making circuit failure almost next to impossible. An extra ground is also provided via the external upgrade harness via a ground lug. This further enhances the fuel module's grounding system and eliminates the chance of a floating ground condition. A floating ground condition will cause a static buildup and potential fuel 
ignition. All connections are crimped and soldered with silver-solder for enhanced resistance to in-tank elements.

Fuel Screen / Silicon gasket seal:

A new replacement filter screen and silicon pump seal are provided

Alternator-direct power for maximum voltage / True PnP with GM type connectors:

The Racetronix PnP upgrade harness provides alternator direct power for maximum pump voltage. Racetronix has documented an 
average 1.2-1.5V increase in pump voltage in the C5 which equates to a 15-18% increase in pump volume based on Walbro's 
specifications and Racetronix field tests. A minor increase in fuel pressure will actually be experienced with the installation of this 
harness. The harness is fully 'plug & play' and can be installed without cutting into factory wiring. The entire harness is waterproof 
made with the same Delphi interconnect components used throughout your C5. The harness' operation is quite simple. The factory 
power wire which was once used to power the fuel pump is used to trigger a 40 amp-rated mil. spec. relay which in turn supplies 
power directly from the alternator with fused protection. The harness is ultra-reliable which is why Racetronix provides a lifetime 
warranty on parts and labor. All connections are crimped and soldered unlike the factory where they are only crimped. All wiring is 
protected by high-temperature-rated Nylon looming. TXL and Teflon wires are used in all mission critical areas.

Redundant grounds = improved voltage & reliability:

A redundant ground is provided which loops into the harness. This loop enhances ground to the factory harness making a two-fold 
improvement. A secondary ground for the fuel module is also provided. This enhances the ground at the pump's source and through the fuel module's body. (see above)

Pump-booster PnP ready:

The Racetronix harness is equipped with an intermediate high-current (30 amp) connector just after the relay. This allows for easy 
plug & play addition of a pump voltage booster which can increase pump performance upwards of 30%. A spare connector 
assembly set is included so that any booster can be adapted to plug into the Racetronix harness. The Racetronix harness further 
enhances pump-booster performance by eliminating voltage drop. The heavy 10 gauge power feed is more than capable of 
handling the 15-20 amp loads generated by the pump at boosted voltages.

Fuel Pump Drain & Power System

A special wiring harness is included with this system which allows the in-tank pump to be powered up without the vehicle running. 
This can be used to help drain much of the fuel from the tank before undergoing replacement of the factory pump or to drain race 
fuel from the tank at the track. Simply install the Racetronix upgrade harness, unplug the intermediate pump booster connector and 
plug this drain harness in. Attach the alligator clip to the back of the alternator + or battery + to supply power. The harness is fused 
for your safety and is assembled with fuel-resistant wire. A length of vinyl hose with gear clamp is included which is attached to the 
fuel module's 'black' outlet port to aid in draining the tank.

Hardware included:

Plenty of wire-ties are included as well as a SS mounting screw for the fuse holder, spare 20A ATC fuse and silicon grease to lube 
the chassis-mounted ground leads and TO prevent corrosion.
 

 

Complete
Fuel Pump
System

$349.99
M.S.R.P.

Available through authorized
Racetronix dealers

Wiring Harness
& Drain System

$149.99
M.S.R.P.

Available through authorized

Racetronix dealers
Technical note:

The Racetronix fuel pump in this system is capable of supporting apx. 600RWHP @ 0.5 BSFC @ 58PSI (400KPa) using factory lines. In early model C5's with rail-mounted fuel pressure regulators the above HP support can be achieved.
If a pump voltage booster is added 700RWHP+ can easily be supported. (at this HP level modified fuel rails should be used to prevent deadheading)

Late model C5's with the returnless rail system will not be able to achieve this level of HP support with the fuel system alone.
This is because the point of regulation is at the back of the car. The location of the FPR does not allow it compensate for line 
pressure drop even though the pressure is stable at the back (regulator location). There are two options to get around this problem. 
First is to convert the system to a rail mounted FRP return type (best). The second option is to install a pump booster which is 
activated at the point where rail pressure starts to drop. The boost in fuel volume overwhelms the regulator / return line thereby 
increasing the fuel pressure at the back of the car which translates to higher pressure at the rail. We recommend the MSD unit for 
FI applications as it ramps the voltage based on manifold pressure. This prevents a short but abrupt fuel pressure spike which 
causes the motor to hiccup from brief over-fueling. If you are using an instant-on N2O system then the KB BAP can be considered as well.

Please understand that this is not an issue with the Racetronix system but rather a design limitation of the factory configuration. 
Racetronix is working on a plug & play solution to address these problems as well as the new 2003 C5 module. No ETA is available at this time on these solutions / components.

2003 C5 Corvettes can be checked for compatibility with the Racetronix fuel system. If your access port for the fuel module can be seen in front of the driver's side rear tire (under the car) then this system will work. If it is not visible then you have the new type of module which goes in from the top of the tank. The Racetronix system is not compatible with this fuel module / system. If you are not sure please have a qualified person check before ordering your system.
 

           

     This install is fairly easy but somewhat time consuming if you want to do it right.

Tools you will need:

Supplies:

        The Racetronix kit that you will will get now has the pump already in the bucket, unlike the picture above.  So it is a plug and play kit.

        Note:  If you have the dreaded C5 faulty gas gauge, it is the sending unit.  Now would be a good time to replace it.  The driver's side tank part number for the sending unit is GM 10333749.  Sometimes cleaning it will work but sometimes not for long so I will do a how to for that replacement separately.  Let's get started.

Step 1 (Removal of Heat Shield and Draining Tank):

    Suitably jack your vehicle up in the rear and pull your driver's rear tire off.  The fuel pump is located under the silver tank heat shield.  There are two parts, to remove the first part you need to remove the 10mm nut and a 13mm bolt.  It will slide right off.  To remove the second half of the heat shield there are four (4) 13mm bolts holding it up.  There may be some double sided tape helping hold it up so just yank it.  There is no need to support the tank, it may drop a little but it is fine. 

 

                    Now disconnect the factory plug to the pump and plug the Ractronix harness into the factory pump and the OEM plug into the Racetronix harness.  The ground and power leads do not need to be connected.

 

                        Now you need to go towards the middle part of the Racetronix harness and find the jumper plugs.   Disconnect this plug and connect the supplied line that comes with the Racetronix kit to this plug.  This is the supplied line that has the alligator clip on it.  The picture below is of the jumper plug.

 

                    Disconnect the bottom feed line from the pump.  This is the one with the black flag on it and has a blue retaining clip.  You can either get the proper tool or gently push up on each side of the colored retaining clip and it will pop right off while you are pulling it.  Be careful if you are using a screwdriver.  It works for me but I take now responsibility for any of my suggestions.  It is always better to use a proper tool.  Some gas will come out but not a lot so don't worry about it.  Just don't be smoking while you do this step.  Attach the silicone hose to this nipple on the pump and put the other end into a suitable container to catch the gas.

 

                        Now, attach the alligator clip to the battery and let the pump run for a long time.  It will take a while depending on the amount of gas you have in the tank.  When you think it is finished move the tank around some and some more may come out.  Once the gas is out disconnect the clip and also remove the remaining fuel lines from the tank noting which order they are in.  The order on my 2002 from top to bottom is green, blue, and black.  Some more gas may spill out of the lines.

Step 2 (Removal of Pump):

           Remove the six (6) 7mm bolts holding the pump into the tank.  Once you remove these make sure you have a container under the pump because more gas will come out.  Probably around 1/2 gallon.  At this point pull the pump out enough to where the sending unit is exposed and you can get to it.  This is located right on top and has a swing arm that the float assembly attaches to.

   

            Gently pull off the black safety clip in the above picture and carefully pull the float assembly out of the tank.  You may have to twist and turn it a little to get it out of the tank since it is long and has a bend in it.  Once the float is out you can begin to pull the sending unit/pump out.  Pull the pump assembly out while pulling the corrugated fuel pick up out of the way.  You may also have to rotate the assembly in different directions to get it out.

 

          

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