Fuelab Lift Pump

[PACougar]

So I bought a new Velocity 200 lift pump setup with the Duramax installation kit from Fuelab. This thing is top of the line and has a price to match. The installation kit/instructions are complete garbage. Basically they wrote installation instructions and supplied parts for a Dodge and they tell you to just figure it out if you have a Duramax. Normally that wouldn't be a problem at all, but you can't install the draw straw in the suggested manner. Now we're trying to decide how to drop the pickup into the sending unit. Anyway, rant over. I just thought I'd pass this along for anyone else who's interested in getting one of these for their Duramax. P.S. I can install a Airdog setup in 45 mins

 

[slipclutchms]

I just ran a sump with my velocity .... The install kit is not worth the money but the pump is fantastic

 

[coldLBZ]

Are they flow-through? Would you also be able to take a few pics along the way? Thanks.

 

[catman3126]

I got one of these laying around I bought when they first came out. needs to go on my LML soon.

 

[PACougar]

I just ran a sump with my velocity .... The install kit is not worth the money but the pump is fantastic

I'd really like to not run a sump. We'll see what we can figure out. If they could only put the same care into the installation kit they do with the pumps it'd be a great setup.

Are they flow-through? Would you also be able to take a few pics along the way? Thanks.

I believe it does flow through and I'll ask my buddy to take some photos.

 

[Stingpuller]

Pumps

Why did you buy the 200 if you didn't want to run a sump/draw straw? A 100 would be more than enough for most any truck. They don't over rate there stuff like others. I run the 100 on my race truck with no issues. Bigger is not always better. I do agree the directions could be better. Still a pretty simple install.

 

[PACougar]

Why did you buy the 200 if you didn't want to run a sump/draw straw? A 100 would be more than enough for most any truck. They don't over rate there stuff like others. I run the 100 on my race truck with no issues. Bigger is not always better. I do agree the directions could be better. Still a pretty simple install.

I didn't say I didn't want a draw straw, I said I didn't want a sump. Did you install their draw straw?

 

[Gmclbz]

Why did you buy the 200 if you didn't want to run a sump/draw straw? A 100 would be more than enough for most any truck. They don't over rate there stuff like others. I run the 100 on my race truck with no issues. Bigger is not always better. I do agree the directions could be better. Still a pretty simple install.

Jeff, have you ever put a gauge on to see what pressure is with the 100?

 

[c20elephant]

Thanks for the review, been looking for one. I do not like the looks fuel pickup in their pictures and had a few concerns about it. Have you considered a fuel cup from Huckstorf Diesel or Kennedy diesel? Could you post a BIG picture of the pickup supplied with the kit or the whole kit, looks a little anemic to say the least and what modifications have to be done to fuel sender and the fuel bucket to make it work??

 

[PACougar]

Thanks for the review, been looking for one. I do not like the looks fuel pickup in their pictures and had a few concerns about it. Have you considered a fuel cup from Huckstorf Diesel or Kennedy diesel? Could you post a BIG picture of the pickup supplied with the kit or the whole kit, looks a little anemic to say the least and what modifications have to be done to fuel sender and the fuel bucket to make it work??

I'll see what I can do.

 

[Stingpuller]

Fuel pump

I did not install there draw straw. These trucks have a big fuel line from the factory and I don't see a need. I never had fuel issues so no I didn't have a gauge on it with the fuelabs pump. Only trouble I have ever had with there pump was when my filter got junk in it and plugged up. Then the pump was loud and wouldn't hold pressure. That is on the dragster and yes I have a full data logger with lift pump pressure on it. Cleaned the filter out installed a new fuel cell (it came apart which was the junk) and life is good again.

 

[PACougar]

Fuelab says the draw straw is necessary, so we're going to install it. Ultimately there's no excuse for these joke of instructions or this installation kit that comes from a Dodge buts labeled for a Duramax. I'll never understand why a company would go to this much trouble to build a quality product and then do a crap job with some instructions and installation.

 

[LBZ]

Fuelab says the draw straw is necessary, so we're going to install it. Ultimately there's no excuse for these joke of instructions or this installation kit that comes from a Dodge buts labeled for a Duramax. I'll never understand why a company would go to this much trouble to build a quality product and then do a crap job with some instructions and installation.

Likely because until recently, they only sold for race applications in which their only instructions pertained to wiring the pumps and setting the regulator up. The Fuelab Simon and I put on Abby wasn't even made specifically for diesel even though it was compatible. They didn't even have anything diesel specific yet at that time.
Myself, I have never used most of the install kits provided with these pumps as IMO they are inferior to what I can buy locally as far as the quality of the pieces like hose, clamps, electrical connectors. Lots of times it's cheap junk so I save the money on the install kit and build my own. Some have good wiring set-ups like the FASS electrical harness. Kennedy was a joke IMO.
I would just buy a fuel cup and replace the stock hose with a larger one like most others recommend and cut the bottom out of the stock cup in the fuel pick up if your concerned with supply issues. The rest of the plumbing should be plenty good enough unless you are running a triple CP3 or something.

 

[PACougar]

Likely because until recently, they only sold for race applications in which their only instructions pertained to wiring the pumps and setting the regulator up. The Fuelab Simon and I put on Abby wasn't even made specifically for diesel even though it was compatible. They didn't even have anything diesel specific yet at that time.
Myself, I have never used most of the install kits provided with these pumps as IMO they are inferior to what I can buy locally as far as the quality of the pieces like hose, clamps, electrical connectors. Lots of times it's cheap junk so I save the money on the install kit and build my own. Some have good wiring set-ups like the FASS electrical harness. Kennedy was a joke IMO.
I would just buy a fuel cup and replace the stock hose with a larger one like most others recommend and cut the bottom out of the stock cup in the fuel pick up if your concerned with supply issues. The rest of the plumbing should be plenty good enough unless you are running a triple CP3 or something.

Jeff, I do appreciate the advice, but I think you're missing my point. I know I'll get it installed one way or the other, my point is they do make these for diesels and they do sell a installation kit for the Duramax. What they definitely did do is rip me off with this joke of a kit.

 

[TheBac]

Instead of getting upset, why not be proactive? Since their Duramax applications aren't up to snuff, why not contact Fuel Labs and ask them if they'd like some help with install pics/procedures and ideas for proper installation parts?
With Airdog and FASS starting to get a rep for failing motors, it makes sense that these other companies would want to upgrade their products to fill the vacuum, and you could be a part of that instead of acting the way you are. In a rare case, they may even remit you some of your purchase price back as a thank you.

I have done that very thing in a couple instances, and it paid off for both the company and myself.

 

[PACougar]

Instead of getting upset, why not be proactive? Since their Duramax applications aren't up to snuff, why not contact Fuel Labs and ask them if they'd like some help with install pics/procedures and ideas for proper installation parts?
With Airdog and FASS starting to get a rep for failing motors, it makes sense that these other companies would want to upgrade their products to fill the vacuum, and you could be a part of that instead of acting the way you are. In a rare case, they may even remit you some of your purchase price back as a thank you.

I have done that very thing in a couple instances, and it paid off for both the company and myself.

Really Tom, you want me to do the work they should have and pay them to boot. Don't worry I will be telling them how I feel about this "kit". Did everyone kit Fuelab sponsorship when I wasn't looking:roflmao: I'm posting about this as a warning to anyone else who might be interested in this setup, I'm not redesigning their installation kit for them. As Jeff said, your best bet is to piece together your own setup or buy a Aitdog/Fass which both have reasonably well thought out kits.

 

[TheBac]

Well, it was an idea. Sometimes the end user really is the best person to draw up the install docs.
Like I said, you could have offered a deal to them and then may have gotten $$ back on the pump (or even "sponsored").
Trying to stay "positive", if you get my meaning.

 

[PACougar]

Well, it was an idea. Sometimes the end user really is the best person to draw up the install docs.
Like I said, you could have offered a deal to them and then may have gotten $$ back on the pump (or even "sponsored").

I'm just not interested in going that route, but I do appreciate your advice.

 

[LBZ]

Taken from their website:
"If this Kit is not correct, please contact your Fuelab® distributor immediately for replacement or selection of an appropriate Installation Kit".
Also I found this:
http://fuelab.com/products/diesel/accessories/accessories-gm/item/21101/
where it describes the draw straw as this - "Accessory Features:This ½" draw straw tube kit fits all Dodge modules and open tanks for 200GPH Duramax."
To me this means it fits the Dodge fuel tank or an open Duramax tank which to me means a fuel cell. One would have to contact them directly to verify but that's how I read it.
FWIW I would just get a refund from them for the draw straw and send it back then buy one specifically for a Dmax. Rest of the kit looks pretty straight forward to me. If you are speaking with them I would ask them to change their description as it is quite obvious that thing WILL NOT fit a stock Dmax fuel tank without serious mods to the tank. Obviously a misleading statement in their description for sure.

 

[PACougar]

Taken from their website:
"If this Kit is not correct, please contact your Fuelab® distributor immediately for replacement or selection of an appropriate Installation Kit".
Also I found this:
http://fuelab.com/products/diesel/accessories/accessories-gm/item/21101/
where it describes the draw straw as this - "Accessory Features:This ½" draw straw tube kit fits all Dodge modules and open tanks for 200GPH Duramax."
To me this means it fits the Dodge fuel tank or an open Duramax tank which to me means a fuel cell. One would have to contact them directly to verify but that's how I read it.
FWIW I would just get a refund from them for the draw straw and send it back then buy one specifically for a Dmax. Rest of the kit looks pretty straight forward to me. If you are speaking with them I would ask them to change their description as it is quite obvious that thing WILL NOT fit a stock Dmax fuel tank without serious mods to the tank. Obviously a misleading statement in their description for sure.

Great suggestions, just so there's no doubt I will be contacting them. Ultimately they sell this as a installation kit for a Duramax and clearly they didn't go to the trouble of making sure it'll work on one. I think the funniest thing you found is "open tanks for 200GPH Duramax", you're probably right about the fuel cell but last I checked there's no such thing as a Duramax fuel cell. :roflmao: