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The automotive industry is one of the largest in Australia that is estimated to generate a revenue of over 37 billion AUD. Australian automotive companies sold over 916,968 vehicles in the year 2020 alone.
The country is also home to numerous motorsport fans as it hosts the globally famous Australian Grand Prix, Australian GT, Formula Ford, Formula 3, Superbikes, and many speedway races.
It has led to an increased demand for performance fuel systems like the Walbro fuel pump that delivers high power, speed, and torque as desired by the drivers. When a fuel pump fails to work, one could be left stranded in the middle of the road. Buying genuine fuel pumps and having a replacement ready is the utmost priority.
What Are Fuel Pumps?
A fuel pump is a vital component of the fuel system. It is a device that pushes the fuel from the tank to the car’s internal combustion engine to power it up. As the fuel pump directly sends the gas to the combustion chamber at extremely high pressure, the fuel ignites better inside the machine, giving it more power.
The fuel pump is usually a part of an assembly that includes a fuel filter or a screen filter, a sending unit, and a level arm. Universal fuel pumps are the most preferred pumps by many car owners. Walbro fuel pump 255, also referred to as the GSS342, is one of the best-selling fuel pumps in the market for its reliability and durability.
It is best suited for Honda, Subaru, Evo X, and Evo 8/9 platforms. Fuel pumps are most preferred for drag racing, road racing, and other motorsports.
Fuel pumps perform three significant functions in the car fuel system. They deliver the correct quantity of fuel to keep the engine operating at the optimum level. They prevent the gas from overheating by maintaining optimum pressure between the carburetor and the pump. They also avoid locks of vapor in the engine.
Types of Fuel Pumps
Mechanical Fuel Pumps
Mechanical fuel pumps are low-pressure pumps whose main task is to transfer the fuel or the gas from the tank to the bowl to spark the ignition. Older cars with engines that come with carburetors usually have these types of fuel pumps.
One cannot find these fuel pumps in newer cars, as they have a fuel injection system and not carburetors. Good-quality mechanical fuel pumps can power the engine with up to 400 horsepower.
However, most carbureted systems do not use a return line. Therefore, they are best suited for cars that do not require high power and stability.
Electric Fuel Pumps
Electric fuel pumps are the most common ones found in the cars driving on Australian roads today. They are fitted directly inside the fuel tank. And they work with the fuel injection system of the vehicle.
Compared with the mechanical fuel pumps, the electric ones pump the fuel at a higher pressure, causing the explosion that generates power that can reach up to 1300 horsepower. The electric fuel pumps are kept far from the engine for safety reasons.
They use the current supplied by the battery to operate. And use an electronic control unit or ECU to control the fuel’s volume and output pressure. It ensures better mileage and horsepower and saves energy.
Qualities of Genuine Fuel Pumps
While many car parts, including fuel pumps, come in OEM forms, some vendors pass fake fuel pumps as genuine ones. Buyers must watch out for these features while buying a simple Walbro fuel pump.
The inlet of open fuel pumps is made of suitable quality generator metal gears. They also have a return valve pressure pin. And they weigh around 355 to 375 grams.
