Corvette fuel filter/pressure regulator gutted

[Andy@SquashPerformance]

I read about the Corvette filter that's used in the early to mid 2000 model years. It's one unit - filter and pressure regulator. It is made to regulate at 58 psi. It has standard GM fuel fittings on it and it's also lighter and more compact than running an aftermarket regulator and filter. You can greatly reduce the cash needed for a good fuel system by replacing a big filter ($80) and FPR ($150+) with this unit at $49. I have been wondering if it's a good idea for the high HP applications or just what the limitations would be.

I finally got my hands on one today, FIL-3737 from Napa Auto Parts. I checked it out, took some photos, then destroyed it to see what was really in there. Turns out there was a filter and FPR, genius! I really wanted to know how much fuel it might be capable of flowing and how much it can bypass. After this I believe it's going to be good for 550rwhp or so. I think it will flow lots of fuel, plenty for even more HP. The size of the bypass orifice is a touch on the small side, but nearly identical to the one found on the popular Aeromotive regulators they claim are good for lots more HP.

Anyways, here are the photos!

Aeromotive, Magnafuel, and GM
http://squashperformance.com/gallery/albums/WIX3737/IMG_4334.JPG

Here you see the three laying down for a little comparison of size
http://squashperformance.com/gallery/albums/WIX3737/IMG_4337.jpg

Aeromotive return orifice
http://squashperformance.com/gallery/albums/WIX3737/IMG_4343.jpg

Magnafuel return orifice
http://squashperformance.com/gallery/albums/WIX3737/IMG_4342.jpg

The GM return line, but you can't see the orifice... yet...
http://squashperformance.com/gallery/albums/WIX3737/IMG_4344.jpg

So I took over to the lathe and cut it open to see how it was made. It's got a really big filter in there, supposedly 5 microns.
http://squashperformance.com/gallery/albums/WIX3737/IMG_4348.jpg

This is a close-up of the business end of the regulator. Fuel comes in on the right (3/8 line) and either passes through the outside of the filter element and out to the engine or the regulator lets some bypass back to the tank. This fuel flows in through these small holes...
http://squashperformance.com/gallery/albums/WIX3737/IMG_4350.jpg

Whoops what happened here? I had to use the cut-off tool to get in there far enough to see the actual return orifice. It turns out it is basically the same diameter as the Aeromotive, about 0.135". The fuel enters the unit via the 3/8" fitting at about 5 o'clock on here. There's nothing between it and the filter, it's wide open.
http://squashperformance.com/gallery/albums/WIX3737/IMG_4352.jpg

Here's a shot of the GM unit next to a replacement for a billet Summit filter.
http://squashperformance.com/gallery/albums/WIX3737/IMG_4357.jpg

This is the outlet end of the unit, wide open.
http://squashperformance.com/gallery/albums/WIX3737/IMG_4353.jpg

Overall I think it's a great solution, and under $50

Andy

[polo]

Great post, Andy. I just had one of these installed in my car to go with Lonnie's dual pump setup, and I'll be having it retuned/dynoed in the next week or two. Car made 564rwhp with stock pump, so I'm curious to see what it will make now with the upgraded fuel system. I guess I'll find out soon enough if the C5 fuel pressure regulator/filter is good for over 600rwhp.

[shane]

very nice!

[polo]

I just had the car dynoed with this C5 fuel regulator, and it made 579.4/552. My tuner said he's had Vette's dyno over 800rwhp with this same regulator.

[shane]

Nice well i just need it to support 600-650 when i get around to it lol.

[BigV8]

I just had the car dynoed with this C5 fuel regulator, and it made 579.4/552. My tuner said he's had Vette's dyno over 800rwhp with this same regulator.Congrats John. Thats some good power for ya. Now you just need to plan on the test n tune in march at Zmax to see what she does.

[-Ray-]

Hello! I really liked your story. Thank you!

Stop bumping old threads unless you have something to add.

[-Ray-]

Hello! I really liked your story. Thank you!

Stop bumping old threads unless you have something to add.