Fuel Pressure Regulator Post-Mortem exam - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

VetteMed · 01-27-2011

Pulled the plenum this morning, and removed the original fuel pressure regulator. I hacked up the black top of it to remove it, and inspect the diaphragm. There was lots of rust particles in the inside of the regulator, and the diaphragm has multiple wrinkles in it, a few of which appeared to have progressed to tiny pinholes.

Here's some pics:

Got a replacement on the way from RockAuto, hoping to have that by Saturday.

Wonder what's next....

A26B · 01-27-2011

Man, that's nasty looking! Looks like there must have been some water in ther for quite awhile. I've cut a couple apart and never seen anything like that. Pity it can't be disassembled, rebuilt & reassembled.

VetteMed · 01-27-2011

Jerry, yeah I was thinking the same thing, must have had water in there at some point. Of course, with almost 200k miles, anything's possible over the years. My old injectors also had some surface scale on the upper flange around the strainer basket.

The regulator's aluminum base is such a nice piece, it's a shame it can't be salvaged. Luckily I got a new aftermarket replacement for around $70.

TFENT · 01-27-2011

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe I read on here somewhere that an adjustable regulator was available for the LT-5. This is the only part I did not replace under the plenum when I had mine apart. I didnt want to use an off brand OE replacement.

Anyone clarify this?

VetteMed · 01-27-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by TFENT

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe I read on here somewhere that an adjustable regulator was available for the LT-5. This is the only part I did not replace under the plenum when I had mine apart. I didnt want to use an off brand OE replacement.

Anyone clarify this?

Apparently LPE used to sell an adjustable. Not any more, unfortunately. I thought about going with an ACDelco, but this whole project is bleeding me quite dry, and anything has to be better than the crusty piece that it's replacing.

Besides, lots of Delco parts are made by the lowest bidder anyway, so I don't feel that it's likely to be much different.

GOLDCYLON · 01-27-2011

That is correct I tried to buy one of those a while back used but the owner and I could not agree on a price for the LPE unit. I was told later that that was really only needed for a boosted Car. Andrew great Pics BTW

XfireZ51 · 01-27-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLDCYLON

That is correct I tried to buy one of those a while back used but the owner and I could not agree on a price for the LPE unit. I was told later that that was really only needed for a boosted Car. Andrew great Pics BTW

Yes. Really no need to change FP. Plenty of injector for NA purposes.

VetteMed · 01-28-2011

Probably a set screw in the center of the black "hat".

VetteMed · 01-28-2011

Got the new regulator today from RockAuto - it's a KEM part, and it's clearly the identical casting to stock, even has the same letters stamped into it in the same places. Here's some pics:

TFENT · 01-28-2011

Let us know how it performs and what the pressure readings look like under use. I am curious to know...

01-27-2011	#1
VetteMed Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,828	Fuel Pressure Regulator Post-Mortem exam Pulled the plenum this morning, and removed the original fuel pressure regulator. I hacked up the black top of it to remove it, and inspect the diaphragm. There was lots of rust particles in the inside of the regulator, and the diaphragm has multiple wrinkles in it, a few of which appeared to have progressed to tiny pinholes. Here's some pics: Got a replacement on the way from RockAuto, hoping to have that by Saturday. Wonder what's next....

01-27-2011	#2
A26B Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arcadia,OK Posts: 3,394	Re: Fuel Pressure Regulator Post-Mortem exam Man, that's nasty looking! Looks like there must have been some water in ther for quite awhile. I've cut a couple apart and never seen anything like that. Pity it can't be disassembled, rebuilt & reassembled. __________________ Jerry Downey JERRYS LT5 GASKETS & PARTS http://www.jerrysgaskets.com 1994 *ZR-1*, Black/Black, Lingenfelter Aerobody, 416cu in, 3.91 gears, coil-over susp, Brembo brakes, etc. 2016 Black-Red, 3LT-Z51 Auto 8-speed.

01-27-2011	#3
VetteMed Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,828	Re: Fuel Pressure Regulator Post-Mortem exam Jerry, yeah I was thinking the same thing, must have had water in there at some point. Of course, with almost 200k miles, anything's possible over the years. My old injectors also had some surface scale on the upper flange around the strainer basket. The regulator's aluminum base is such a nice piece, it's a shame it can't be salvaged. Luckily I got a new aftermarket replacement for around $70.

01-27-2011	#4
TFENT Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 189	Re: Fuel Pressure Regulator Post-Mortem exam Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe I read on here somewhere that an adjustable regulator was available for the LT-5. This is the only part I did not replace under the plenum when I had mine apart. I didnt want to use an off brand OE replacement. Anyone clarify this? __________________ Tom MovIt Brakes USA [url]www.TFEnt.com[/url]

01-27-2011	#6
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,155	Re: Fuel Pressure Regulator Post-Mortem exam That is correct I tried to buy one of those a while back used but the owner and I could not agree on a price for the LPE unit. I was told later that that was really only needed for a boosted Car. Andrew great Pics BTW __________________ GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V

01-28-2011	#8
VetteMed Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,828	Re: Fuel Pressure Regulator Post-Mortem exam Probably a set screw in the center of the black "hat".