By
Brian Wagner March 19, 2019A fuel system that’s expected to perform at a high level needs to be protected with the correct filter, otherwise, there will be performance issues and possible engine damage. It doesn’t matter if you’re running a carburetor or fuel injection, a fuel filter is a must-have item and it needs to match your application.The role that fuel filters play in a high-performance engine is that of protector — they make sure any debris in your fuel or fuel tank doesn’t make it through the system. Parts like the fuel pump, fuel injectors, or the jets in a carburetor are all under their care. The last thing you want is some nasty bits getting through the fuel system and damaging these parts, causing a fuel-starvation situation.Every fuel pump will have different requirements for a pre-filter and they can range anywhere from 75-100 microns depending on the unit. The goal is to have the correct amount of filtration to protect the pump, without causing a flow issue that can lead to pump cavitation. The majority of pumps have the ability to push head pressure without any problems, however, there could be issues if the restriction on the suction side is too high.
For post-pump filtration, there are several different areas that need to be considered before a filter is selected: the type of induction system, whether it’s EFI or a carburetor, and the type of fuel that is being used. Josh Davis from
Fuelab provides his thoughts on how he guides customers through choosing a fuel filter.“Personally, I prefer to see our 10-micron or 6-micron element after the pump on both carbureted and EFI applications. The 10-micron paper element is good for pump gas and race gas, but not alcohol-based fuels. Common E10/E15 pump gas is still fine with the 10-micron paper element. If you’re looking for the ultimate in filtration and/or you’re using E85/E98/Alcohol/Methanol, the 6-micron micro-fiberglass element is what you would want to use. Some folks that call in are scared of the 6-micron filter, thinking it’s going to hurt the flow or cause a lot of pressure drop. In all actuality, you can expect to see less than 1/8 psi drop across that filter element – that’s nothing to be concerned with.”
