There’s no getting away from the fact that one of the first entries into the late-model GM EFI game, long before the LS/LT craze, was the Turbo Buick. With only 231 cubic-inches on hand and an archaic (by today’s standards) EFI system, it made no apologies for its ease of modifications and ample results with minimal bolt-ons. More fuel, more air, higher-octane fuel and cranking up the boost pressure equated into more horsepower, torque and increased performance.
Of course, even after GM had ended the production of the coveted cars, it wouldn’t be the last time boost was applied to the 231 cubic-inch Buick V6. GM would later bring another version of the engine out, with a supercharger attached up top. Although not as powerful or a torquey as the departed turbocharged version, it was far less finicky and more reliable. This engine would find its way in nearly all front-drive W-body cars, including the Pontiac Grand Prix. General Motors pumped out tons of these cars, and quite a few of them ended up in the hands of enthusiasts. We’ve even built one or two ourselves, so we’re well aware of their potential. So has Racetronix, who have stepped up to offer a fuel pump solution good for up to 600hp.
Official Release:
FPA-007B – 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix – Performance Pump Assembly (RXP255)
- For factory stock or mild HP upgrades to 600HP
- Racetronix RXP252T 255LPH turbine fuel pump with reduced noise and enhanced reliability with E-85 enahnced fuels*
- Venturi Jet-Pump feed system – Racetronix exclusive
- Plug & Play Teflon wiring harness – E85 Compatible
- High-pressure non-kinking fuel tube
- Custom 30 micron pump filter sock
FOR USE IN 1997-2003 L67 SUPERCHARGED CARS WITH FACTORY ORIGINAL PLASTIC FUEL TANK AND PLASTIC FUEL MODULE PART NUMBER MU37 OR MU122 ONLY! YOUR MODULE MUST HAVE A SMALL 1/8″ JET FEED TUBE IN ADDITION TO THE MAIN 8MM FEED TUBE FOR COMPATABILITY. WILL NOT WORK WITH NEW REPLACEMENT DELPHI FUEL MODULE FG0075 OR EQUIVALENTS.
W1 Fuel Pump Assembly
The FPA-007A incorporates our new RXP Turbine-Tech fuel pump which supplies 225LPH of fuel @ 58.0PSI @ 13.5V*. Racetronix RXP pumps use new turbine technology to reduce pump noise, improve reliability and provide enhanced compatibility with Ethanol enhanced fuels. The FPA-002A pump and FPWH-002 harness are recommended for factory HP upgrades to 600HP @ 58PSI using the factory lines and fuel pressure regulator. HP support may vary based on motor B.S.F.C. and maximum fuel pressure (i.e. F/I motors). Please factor in a 20-25% safety margin between what your motor needs and what your fuel system can supply.
Our FPWK-017W wiring harness kit is required for for a HP pump to meet stated performance specifications because the factory wiring was not designed to handle high-performance pumps which draw more than twice the power of a factory pump. A performance reduction of 15-25% in pump performance can be expected along with reduced reliability when a HP pump is run off of the factory harness.
The FPA-007A incorporates a high-performance 255LPH pump but since this pump is run at a base pressure of 58PSI (vs. 43.5PSI) its flow rating drops to a nominal 225LPH @ 13.5V. This has been a constant source of confusion on car forums due to misinformation being posted.
Please contact your local Racetronix dealer to discuss your fuel requirements.
What sets the Racetronix W1 pump assembly apart from others?
Why a universal pump can not be properly used in the 1997-2003 W-Body:
The 1997-2003 W-body cars have a pump that is inside a plastic fill-bucket. The fill-bucket is equipped with two inlets on the bottom. Theequalization checkvalve is used to fill the bucket when the level of fuel in the tank is greater than in the bucket. The equalization checkvalve does not allow fuel to exit the bucket. The venturi system’s inlet is a combination checkvalve and powered suction system. The factory pump supplies pressurized fuel via a small tube which feeds a calibrated jet inside the venturi system. This jet of fuel shoots across the base of the checkvalve inlet thereby creating a suction effect which draws more fuel from the bottom of the tank through the filter sock. This venturi system keeps the bucket full all the time even when the fuel tank is almost empty.
A full bucket keeps the pump immersed in fuel regardless of the tank level so that when the tank is low on gas and you are doing some hard cornering or acceleration the pump does not run dry and start aerating (air bubbles) the fuel. This happens as the fuel sloshes from side to side in the tank leaving the center low on fuel. This can cause detonation and possible engine damage.
The 1997-2003 W-Body cars with plastic tanks have no baffling in them so the bucket is very important. The bucket also allows the car to operate with lower fuel levels in the tank due to its scavenging effect. The fill-bucket improves motor crank-to-run time as the priming time is reduced under most conditions. The return line feeds the pressure regulator on the fuel module which diverts fuel back into the bucket so that the unused fuel also helps keep it full at all times. Keeping the pump constantly immersed in gas within the bucket can extend the pump’s life by not allowing it to be exposed to open air. Open air within the tank contains moisture and in time will cause the pump to rust / seize up especially if left to sit for long periods of time without the tank topped-up (i.e. winter storage).
What sets the Racetronix FPA-007A fuel pump assembly apart from others?
The Racetronix FPA-007A fuel pump assembly is equipped with an outlet which supplies the factory venturi system which is required to keep the factory system fully functional! All other pump solutions to date do not have this feature which requires a hole be punched in the bottom of the fill-bucket thereby dangerously disabling its functionality.
A factory-style fuel tube is clamped to the pump’s outlet for added reliability under high operating pressures. When the fuel module is placed back in the tank it must compressed causing the tube to bend sharply which can cause standard rubber hose to kink and fail. The fuel tube is highly resistant to the additives in today’s pump gas which will attack and dry out even the best R9 and R10 rubber fuel lines. This is why G.M. uses them as OE equipment.
WARNING: Some copy-cat pump kits use a longer generic flex-tube or rubber hose which can bind up and puncture once the module is compressed back into the tank.
The Racetronix in-tank pump wiring harness eliminates the need for a wiring adapter or splicing which can be unreliable and can cause performance loss. One end the Racetronix in-tank harness has a Walbro connector that plugs directly into the pump and the other end has a Delphi connector which plugs directly into the sender. Teflon wire is used just like in the factory because it is the most resistant to gasoline and its additives. We upgrade the gauge of wire used from the factory to reduce voltage loss which maximizes pump performance. All Racetronix harnesses are assembled using our computerized crimp-quality monitoring system and then circuit checked for the utmost in reliability. A truly plug & play wiring solution. Due to the age of some W-Body cars much of the in-tank connectors are black / corroded. The Racetronix harness replaces all these questionable components.
WARNING: Some copy-cat pump kits use fuel resistant plastic wire which is not as durable as Teflon. As well they do not have a new connector installed on the end of the in-tank harness which forces the customer to re-use the questionable old factory connector body. This has also let to some confusion as to the proper polarity forcing some people to remove their tanks again in order to fix the problem!
Racetronix Quality Pumps
The Racetronix FPA-007A pump assembly is based on Racetronix turbine pump technology which provides quiet reliable operation.
Rick Seitz is the owner and founder of GMEFI Magazine, and has a true love and passion for all vehicles. When he isn’t tuning, testing, or competing with the brand’s current crop of project vehicles, he’s busy tinkering and planning the next modifications for his own cars.
