Buying a used fuel pump: Good idea or Bad Idea?

[jrunner]

Hello again everyone. I began pricing 300zx fuel pumps a couple days ago, and the lowest cost I could find was $226 from one of the online dealers mentioned on this board. I dont have alot of cash right now, so I called some junkyards to see if anyone of them had a 91+ 300zx TT fuel pump. It turns out that there is one here in my town, for $75.

$75 is alot more affordable right now, but I'm a little unsure about buying a used one. Does anyone have some advice for me? Should I buy used, or spend extra and buy new?

[JDM]

I wouldnt buy a used fuel pump, you can get a new walbro 255 for under $130.

[jrunner]

Great! I just did a little searching and the Walbro 255 is going for $120 at enjunku racing. But this raises two more questions:

1. Is the walbro an equal, superior, or inferior fuel pump compare to the 300zx AND

2. Is the walbro 255 going to work with my SOHC KA? I would assume it does, but I would hate to make a $120 mistake.

[Onizuka]

I got my 255 walbro for $90 on ebay brand new.

[Hijacker]

go to ebay, and do a search for "walbro, 240SX" and you'll see a bunch of items by one seller who's dumping them online. 85-90 is the average price there. And I think it's better than the 300ZX swap because it's quieter

[Hijacker]

Oh. To answer your questions:1) i don't know if it's superior or inferior, but unless you're planning on pumping some uber serious power out of your engine, the 255 will be more than enough for you.

2)the pump is a generic pump and you usually zip tie it in place. The pump runs at one speed like the stock pump, so all you have to do is cut the wires off the old pump and then splice the new harness onto the new pump. Just be certain you get the wires right or else the pump will operate in reverse.

[niznos]

I have the Walbro 255 in my '90 and it works just great. I got the one that was actually for my model, so it fits right in where the old one did. If I recall correctly, just splice and your done.

Why are you upgrading the pump?

[jrunner]

I read that having a larger fuel pump is a good idea if you're going to have an sr20det. I don't have the engine yet, but I would also like to spend some money on parts of the car that I won't lose when the engine is swapped out. Since the pump is in the gas tank, it stays put during the swap right?

Of course it sounds like bad money managment to spend cash on little things when I should be saving for the engine, however I was getting kind of bored not having any projects to do on the car.

[niznos]

That's right, if you are getting the SR (and if you are going to be upping the juice on it) you should be getting a better pump, and yes, it will be left after the engine swap.

I got mine for the NOS since it bypasses the fuel pressure regulator when it's spraying, I figured I should get it even though the instructions on the NOS kit said the old one will suffice.

As far as improvements on performace as your car is now; I think the new pump will not help anything since the ECU will automatically trim back the fuel flow to stock levels. So if the SR swap will not be for a while to come, there are better things to spend $ on right now.

[Ender_Zero]

you could buy it now, but i recommend not putting it on untill you are doing the swap. might as well not wear out the pump unless you need it. ^_^

[Hijacker]

you won't wear the pump out. if you plan on doing a swap down the road, save the pump for later. if you're stock pump is starting to go, then go might as well get an upgraded part