1. What is the Fuel Pump HP Calculation?

The Fuel Pump HP calculation determines the maximum horsepower a fuel pump can support based on its flow rate, fuel density, and the engine's brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC). This helps ensure proper fuel delivery for your engine's needs.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Flow\ Rate \) — Fuel pump flow rate in gallons per hour (GPH)
• \( Density \) — Fuel density in pounds per gallon (lb/gal)
• \( BSFC \) — Brake specific fuel consumption in pounds per horsepower-hour (lb/HP-h)

Explanation: The formula calculates how much horsepower can be supported by dividing the total fuel mass flow (flow rate × density) by the engine's specific fuel consumption.

3. Importance of Fuel Pump Sizing

Details: Proper fuel pump sizing is critical for engine performance. An undersized pump can cause lean conditions and engine damage, while an oversized pump may waste energy and generate excess heat.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Typical gasoline density: ~6.0 lb/gal
• Typical BSFC values: 0.4-0.5 for NA engines, 0.6-0.7 for forced induction
• Always add 10-20% safety margin to calculated HP

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is BSFC and how do I find it?
A: BSFC measures fuel efficiency of an engine. Check your engine specs or use typical values (0.5 for NA, 0.6-0.7 for turbo/supercharged).

Q2: How do I measure fuel pump flow rate?
A: Most manufacturers provide flow rate specs. You can also measure it by timing how long the pump takes to fill a known volume.

Q3: Does fuel type affect the calculation?
A: Yes, different fuels have different densities (gasoline ~6.0, E85 ~6.5, diesel ~7.1 lb/gal).

Q4: Should I account for fuel pressure?
A: This calculation assumes flow rate is measured at your operating pressure. Higher pressure typically reduces flow rate.

Q5: What about multiple pumps or staged systems?
A: For multiple pumps, you can add their flow rates together before calculating total supported HP.