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When we first designed and built the Fuel Bowl Delete fuel system kits, we did so with our ultra high performance customers in mind. We had gotten a number of requests from our big power customers to delete the stock filter canister to make access to the high pressure oil pump easier and make more room in the valley for turbocharger and fuel system plumbing. We have been surprised by the number of regular "daily driver" and "tow rig" customers that have been interested in this kit, it has been used on everything from stock engines to full race builds. The benefits of the Fuel Bowl Delete kit as compared to the "Standard" Regulated Return are:
- Significantly Improved Fuel Flow: The fuel bowl delete block has much larger passages and significantly reduced restriction as compared to the stock fuel filter bowl. Whether you are building up a competition fuel system or just trying to make your daily driver run better, this setup will support your fueling needs without breaking a sweat.
- Compact Size: The fuel bowl delete block and lines take up less space in the valley than the stock filter canister assembly.
- Permanent Solution to Repeated Fuel Bowl Leakage Issues: The stock fuel filter canister is notorious for it's leak problems. The bowl has 10 o-rings/seals, several of which are common sources of repeated fuel leaks. The construction of the stock fuel filter canister is such that it is prone to cracking with age or modification as well. The Driven Diesel fuel bowl delete block only has 3 o-rings, and it's design is significantly stronger and without pipe thread ports so cracking will not be an issue.
- Replacement Fuel Filter Cost: Fuel filter elements for the stock filter canister are relatively expesnive, averaging over $50 each depending on the brand purchased. Using a spin-on filter element can cut replacement filter costs significantly!
- Fuel Flow Direction: Just like our Standard Regulated Return fuel system, our bowl delete feeds the front of the heads (away from the high heat of the turbocharger) and returns from the rear of the heads. This also allows customers that have the Standard fuel system kit to purchase the basic fuel bowl delete upgrade kit to delete the filter bowl at a later date, without having to purchase the whole fuel system kit again.
Special consideration needs to be paid to the fact that the factory filter can't just be removed without replacing it with something comparable. The stock 2 micron fuel filter is the last resort protection in the system. Whether it's contaminants in the fuel itself, or debris from a failing fuel pump, having the proper protection (filtration) in the system before the fuel reaches the injectors is critical. There are a number of ways of providing proper post-pump filtration, we will cover a few of those below:
- Driven Diesel Post-Pump Filter Kit: We have a kit that mounts a Baldwin 2 Micron Spin-On fuel filter element under the truck near the oil filter. This kit is available for manual and automatic transmission trucks and even fits automatic trans OBS trucks. This kit can be used with the stock fuel pump (with the addition of the Stock Fuel Pump Adapter), with our High Performance Fuel Delivery Kit or with a Fuelab fuel pump on our mounting bracket.
- High Pressure AirDog II or FASS: While these devices do provide the necessary post-pump fuel filtration, as of the writing of this FAQ we are not recommending them. Both devices have internal fuel pressure regulators that are not configured to make high enough pressure for a Ford Powerstroke application (60-70psi). We have also experienced some issues with the longevity/reliability of these units when asked to make the pressure required by a Powerstroke.
- Customer Supplied/Fabricated: This is one of those areas that we describe as "some assembly required". If you choose not to use our post-pump fuel filter kit or a high pressure AirDog II or FASS, you may have to source and install your own fuel filter setup.
All of that said, there are a few caveats with respect to the use of the Fuel Bowl Delete setup. As we have have mentioned on the product page for the Fuel Bowl Delete Regulated Return, the use of this kit is "some assembly required". With just the installation of the Fuel Bowl Delete Regulated Return kit, customers will have a fuel feed port (on the bowl delete block) and a fuel return port (on the bottom of the fuel pressure regulator) that will need to be connected. See below for more details about connecting these ports, and some explanation of what parts customers might need to procure themselves to complete the installation.
- Fuel Inlet Port (top of fuel bowl delete block): This port is located in the top center of the fuel bowl delete block, right behind the high pressure oil reservoir after installation. Pressurized fuel from whatever fuel pump the customer is using must be plumbed to this port. The port is a #6 Male JIC/AN with our fitting installed, or #6 Female O-Ring Boss with our fitting removed. There are several options for getting fuel to this port, depending entirely on what setup the customer is running:
- Stock Fuel Pump: The Driven Diesel Post Pump Filter Kit with the addition of the Stock Fuel Pump Adapter will cleanly make the connection from the pump to the fuel bowl delete block.
- Fuelab Fuel Pump: If the pump is mounted on the Driven Diesel Fuelab fuel pump bracket, or otherwise mounted in the location of the stock Super Duty electric fuel pump, the Driven Diesel Post Pump Filter Kit will cleanly make the connection from the fuel pump to the fuel bowl delete block.
- Other Fuel Pumps/Mounting Locations: This is a major reason for our "some assembly required" disclaimer, there are many other fuel pump combinations possible that we just can't provide parts for. We've seen several other aftermarket pumps in use, high pressure AirDog II and FASS systems, dual pump setups, setups where the pump is mounted back by the fuel tank instead of in the stock location, etc. If you are not running one of the fuel pump combinations that we specifically support and have parts for, please be prepared to have to source the necessary hose and fittings to make your connections. More than likely you can still use our Driven Diesel Post Pump Filter Kit with your custom fuel pump setup, just having to fabricate the connection from your pump(s) to the inlet port of the post pump filter head.
- Fuel Return Port (bottom of fuel pressure regulator): This is the other major reason for the "some assembly required" disclaimer. We do not currently supply the connection from the return port back to the fuel tank. Just like the inlet port, the fuel pump setup somewhat determines how this is plumbed.
- Stock Fuel Pump: Due to the popularity of this kit in trucks using the stock fuel pump, we are working on supplying the correct hardware for this setup. In the interim, customers can order the Return Line Adapter, which will provide a simple #6 Male JIC/AN at the regulator outlet and also at the factory metal return line on the frame right behind the driver side shock tower. Customers will need to make up a #6 Female to Female hose to connect these ports and complete the fuel circuit.
- Fuelab Fuel Pump (or other large aftermarket pump): We recommend that customers using these type of fuel pumps run a fresh #6 return line all the way back to the fuel tank. Customers can install a bulkhead fitting for the return connection at the tank, or use the original stock 3/8" pickup connection (since these large pumps require a larger pickup tube). It might be possible to use the stock return line (as discussed above), but keep in mind that if the return flow rate from the larger pump exceeds the flow capability of the small stock fuel return line, it could artificially raise the fuel pressure in the fuel system.
- Other Fuel Pumps: For pumps that are in between the flow of a stock fuel pump and the larger aftermarket pumps like the Fuelab, more than likely the "Stock Fuel Pump" recommendations will work fine. Just keep in mind that if you have problems with not being able to turn the pressure down, it could be related to having too much fuel flow for the small stock return line size.
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