Conversion Essentials When Upgrading to EFI

Swapping carburetors for EFI is on the to-do list for many classic car owners. It’s an upgrade that does away with the regular tuning and cold starting troubles of carburetors, simplifying the owner’s life for good. It makes older, finnickier vehicles behave more like modern cars. Who doesn’t want that?

Making the swap isn’t as simple as bolting what’s in the conversion kit, though. EFI systems place higher demands on your fuel system than carburetors will. That means you’ll also need to upgrade the entire system from front to back for this to work.

The Right Hardware

Although the demands of the chosen EFI system and the engine will determine the specifics of the parts needed for your swap, you can count on the existing system needing an entire overhaul. The reason is that EFI systems run on much higher pressure than carburetors.

Building a system to fuel EFI starts with the pump. You need to find and install something far more powerful than the factory mechanical pump your old engine is working with. It’s not as simple as just adding a high-pressure inline pump, though. You will need to move to an in-tank unit. That means modifying your existing tank or moving to a new tank altogether is a must.

The plumbing will also need to be upgraded. You need something that can handle the high fuel pressure and will work with your pump and EFI conversion. A lot of pumps use AN fittings, which is a big step up from the simple rubber hoses your car came with. You also can’t forget that if you’re taking the car racing, then you need to use fuel lines that meet track safety rules.

It seems like a lot to consider, but it’s no more complicated than making a few simple swaps. That’s especially true when you get your parts through a manufacturer like Aeromotive. This is a brand that’s been around the block a few times and, in our opinion, knows what’s what about making EFI conversions as clean and painless as possible — with USA-made offerings, to boot.

Along with carrying all of the plumbing you could dream of, Aeromotive also offers some tank and pump combinations that really make things as easy as possible for builders. Check out our rec’s below.

Phantom Stealth 340 Fuel System

Aeromotive’s Phantom in-tank fuel pump systems are likely the coolest line of fuel pumps on the market. Since you don’t need to upgrade to a new fuel cell or fuel tank to run them, they’re a great choice for builders who want to keep expenses minimal. (Or who already have a perfectly usable tank!)

One sweet feature is that these systems can work with either EFI or a carburetor, depending on how you set up the plumbing on the pump. Plus, they feature a clever internal baffle/basket that controls fuel slosh and keeps the fuel pump submerged in fuel—even at low fuel levels and during aggressive driving.

Also worth noting, is how simple these units are to install. The entire process involves little more than cutting a hole in your tank, measuring the depth, and cutting both your pump hanger bracket and baffle/basket foam to the length. Then, insert the baffle, install the retainer ring and gasket, and bolt your pump and hangar down.

That’s all it takes to get a fuel pump inside your factory tank capable of supporting big horsepower, EFI or carbureted. The whole system is completely universal too, meaning it will fit virtually any tank from 6” deep to 11” inch deep – plastic, steel, aluminum, corrugated, or smooth.

Check out the video below to watch the guys from Street Legal TV install the Phantom Stealth Fuel System in a classic muscle car.

Below is a list of the power numbers this system can support, though it should be noted that these are max numbers. They can operate on much more modest builds and often are, due to their convenience—and because they’re ridiculously quiet.

– 700 HP EFI – Forced Induction
– 850 HP EFI – Naturally Aspirated
– 850 HP Carbureted – Forced Induction
– 1000 HP Carbureted – Naturally Aspirated

Stealth Gen II Fuel Tanks

Let’s say that you’re working from the ground up and that project car doesn’t have an existing fuel tank. Or maybe it does, but you’re just looking for the cleanest possible start for your new fuel system. Well, Aeromotive has that covered, too.

The company’s Gen II Stealth tanks are just as trick as the Phantom fuel pumps. In fact, these tanks come with the Phantom pump built right into them, meaning all the features we just discussed apply to this product as well – with a few extra perks, of course.

These are not just factory-style tanks with all the cutting and fitting done for you. Okay, well, technically they are, but they also feature built-in sending and return lines while the pump maintains its location in place of the factory sending unit. This results in a remarkably clean appearance and a straightforward installation process.

The tank’s design allows for flush installation to the vehicle floor, eliminating the need for strap modification or spacers. Additionally, all Gen II Stealth tanks come fully assembled, with the fuel pump, fuel level sending unit, and fuel/electrical bulkhead pre-installed serving as a genuine plug-and-play assembly.

Newest Recruit for 2023

Aeromotive’s Stealth tank line is regularly growing and is not limited to only the most popular models. It’s expanding to bring all the classics into the fold too, with the 1967-72 Chevrolet C10 truck being the most recent to gain coverage.

These exciting new tanks are available with three high-performing Aeromotive fuel pump options: 200 LPH, 340 LPH, and 450 LPH. The pumps can support up to approximately 800 FWHP when used in conjunction with a gas/EFI/forced induction combination or a maximum of approximately 550 FWHP in a E-85/EFI/forced induction combination.

The rear mount configuration allows builders to easily replace the in-cab fuel tank with a 17-gallon tank behind the rear axle and between the frame rails with no cutting required (in most cases). In fact, installation requires only four holes drilled in the frame rails plus a hole pattern in the bed floor for the filler cap.

Every builder should check Aeromotive’s application range before any other pump, as it’s likely the Stealth’s industry-leading performance and show-winning fit and finish are available to their classic car or truck.

To learn more about Aeromotive and the company’s game-changing fuel delivery components, head over to https://aeromotiveinc.com/.