High-performance high-flow fuel pumps (typically referring to those with a flow rate >200L/h) must be matched with dedicated fuel storage tanks (sump); otherwise, the risk of cavitation will soar by 80%. Fluid mechanics simulation shows that when the flow rate of the oil pump reaches 250L/h, the fluid surface flow velocity in the main cavity of the oil tank exceeds 0.8m/s, and the gas enrolling rate without a diversion structure reaches 15%, resulting in a pressure fluctuation of ±1.2bar (SAE J2044 standard requires <±0.3bar). The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is factory-integrated with a 6L reinforced fuel tank, ensuring stable fuel supply under track conditions with an inclination of 60°.
High-flow pumps require sump to achieve fuel pre-pressurization. The peak instantaneous fuel demand of the V8 supercharged engine can reach 400L/h, and at this time, the pressure drop in the fuel supply path of the main fuel tank reaches 2.5bar. A well-designed aluminum alloy sump (with a volume ≥1.2L) can stabilize the inlet pressure above 0.5bar and increase the fluid density at the impeller inlet by 12%. The measured data show that after the AMG C63 was modified with a straight-through fuel pump and the Radium Engineering oil storage tank system was installed, the peak fluctuation rate of the flowmeter decreased from 23% to 3%, and the control accuracy of the air-fuel ratio was optimized to ±0.8%.
Thermal management requirements are mandatorily equipped with sump. When the return oil temperature of the turbocharged engine reaches 85°C, the fuel saturated vapor pressure rises to 7.8kPa. The internal barrier design of Sump extends the fuel retention time to 30 seconds (only 5 seconds for the main fuel tank), increases the heat exchange efficiency by 60%, and reduces the bubble formation rate by 75%. The track test of the BMW M4 GTS shows that when sump is not installed, the oil temperature rise rate per Lap is 1.5°C/Lap. After the installation, it drops to 0.3°C/Lap, ensuring a continuous output of 510 horsepower.
The lifespan of the system is directly related to its safety. When the cavitation effect of the impeller exceeds 3% volume fraction, the bearing impact load increases by 300%. The accident analysis at the 2021 SEMA modification show pointed out that the 1000-horsepower Supra without sump had its fuel pump vacuum drop to -5psi instantly during quarter-mile acceleration, and the armature dry friction temperature soared to 200°C. Integrated tank solutions such as the Aeromotive Stealth system can maintain a particle size filtration accuracy of 40μm while extending the life of the Fuel Pump to 1500 race hours.
Economic calculation verifies the necessity. The competition-grade fuel tank kit costs 400-800 (accounting for 25% of the total fuel system budget), but it can enhance the engine output stability by 12% and reduce the knocking probability by 80%. NHRA straight-line acceleration race data shows that the completion rate of modified cars equipped with sump has risen from 65% to 92%, and the average cost of a single repair has decreased by $1,500. When the power demand is greater than 500 horsepower, the return on operating cost per horsepower of the oil storage tank is as high as 400%. The modular Fuel Pump system that complies with the FIA FT3-1999 standard has been manibly incorporated into the design specifications of the oil storage tank assembly.