I'm confused about fuel pumps... (in-tank)

[iXBeater]

I have an S52-swapped '85 325e. While I think just about everything in the engine bay not the engine is new, I'm pretty sure the fuel pumps are original to the car (chassis has 275K miles).



The in-tank pump bit the dust the other day. I've gone ahead and gotten a working used one, but I think I'm going to go ahead and rebuild the dead one so I have a good spare for whenever the used one croaks.

I'm not interested in converting to a single-pump system at this point, and I really don't want to spend $600 on the BMW one.

A lot of searches lead me to the Deatschwerks DW200, but it sounds like overkill for the in-tank pump. I don't see a kit specifically for the E30, but I see a universal one:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/255-lph-in-tank-fuel-pump-with-universal-set-up-kit-deatschwerks-9-201-1000

and an E36 one:

https://racegerman.com/products/deatschwerks-92-95-bmw-e36-325i-dw200-255-lph-in-tank-fuel-pump-w-install-kit?

But I feel like that's an overkill (and possibly loud) solution.

Kicking around, I find this Bosch pump:

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Intake-Fuel/Fuel-Filters/Fuel-Pump-E30-325e-325es-325i-325is-325ix-325ic-Bosch-16141179992.html

It appears to be the direct replacement for the pump itself, though not the whole assembly. So it requires some conversion, but that's fine with me.

It's clearly listed as compatible with the 325e (though I don't see it in the REALOEM catalog for my VIN...).

What's giving me pause is it didn't show up in any of my searches here or other E30 sites I trust.

Anyone have a concern with the Bosch?

[reelizmpro]

So let me get this straight...your in-tank transfer pump died and you only want to replace it with an aftermarket high flow pump, while keeping the 275k mile main pump? Doesn't seem logical to me. If you want to replace the in tank transfer pump itself then get the Chevy Vega pump and install it in the carrier.

[iXBeater]

So let me get this straight...your in-tank transfer pump died and you only want to replace it with an aftermarket high flow pump, while keeping the 275k mile main pump? Doesn't seem logical to me. If you want to replace the in tank transfer pump itself then get the Chevy Vega pump and install it in the carrier.

You read the part where I said the aftermarket pump was overkill, right? Hence the question.

As for the main pump, there's not a lot to figure out there, nor is there an availability issue for an OE-spec replacement, hence the note about in-tank in the thread title. I'll probably replace it too, but I don't need any help on that topic.

I have only seen one reference in this search to the Chevy Vega pump, but no real information about it (PN, specs, etc.). If you have some info, I'd appreciate it if you shared it.

[e30davie]

wait i didnt catch that you are using the DW200 as a transfer pump, no wonder its noisy, its basically dead heading against the "main" pump.

you really want a high flow low pressure, high flow lift pump to feed the high pressure pump. it will specifically be an internal pump

I cant help you with specifics as im not in usa, but here in australia we had a series of 6 clr GM cars that had 2 pumps, internal and external, so they are always my go to for pumps as they are a dirty cheap. heres a link to what i reckon would be my choice if i was in your situation, I used one of these on a engine conversion i did years ago as a lift pump and it worked great and dead silent.

https://www.repco.com.au/parts-service/fuel-system/fuel-pumps/bosch-fuel-pump-internal-bfp772/p/A9303542

there would have to be something similar cheap on GM cars in the states.

[iXBeater]

wait i didnt catch that you are using the DW200 as a transfer pump, no wonder its noisy, its basically dead heading against the "main" pump.

you really want a high flow low pressure, high flow lift pump to feed the high pressure pump. it will specifically be an internal pump

I cant help you with specifics as im not in usa, but here in australia we had a series of 6 clr GM cars that had 2 pumps, internal and external, so they are always my go to for pumps as they are a dirty cheap. heres a link to what i reckon would be my choice if i was in your situation, I used one of these on a engine conversion i did years ago as a lift pump and it worked great and dead silent.

https://www.repco.com.au/parts-service/fuel-system/fuel-pumps/bosch-fuel-pump-internal-bfp772/p/A9303542

there would have to be something similar cheap on GM cars in the states.

I'm communicating very poorly.

My setup is stock, at least as far as I know. I don't think Mike did anything different for the main pump, but I'm pretty sure what's in the tank is 325e.

I don't have and don't really want an over-performing in-tank pump.

On my E24, the OE-equivalents (where they exist) are pretty mapped out and well-communicated. I've been surprised that nobody has said "If what's there works, just get a Bosch XYZ and swap it into the assembly and you'll have the OE function at an aftermarket price."

I've gotten a fair amount of feedback over at BF.c that a conversion to a single pump setup is probably the best route. I'm going to research that and figure out what the best setup is. In the meantime, I've got a used pump on the way and I'll move along with that until I choose a plan.

[TobyB]

I use a 91 318is in- tank high- pressure pump and pickup. Ditched the dual- pump setup, as it's complicated, expensive and failure- prone.
I recall having to braze a return spout onto it, but it's been at least a decade...

t

[iXBeater]

For now, I'm kicking the can and using the Vega pump (lol) and will eventually see about a move to a single high-pressure pump.

The car ran great on the existing setup, and I want to drive it more than I want to do the research the swap.

[iXBeater]

So after a lot of varying advice I went with the Chevy Vega pump (which is also apparently listed for a 320i) and my shop (West German Garage) popped it in the original assembly. I bought it at NAPA.

Old:


Rebuilt:


The pickup screen pops right in, too - no mod needed. Simple swap according to my guy.

Car runs great! The S52 doesn't seem to need more than the current setup provides, so I'll run this for the foreseeable future.