Mustang Fuel Pump - Three-Play

Here's our first look at Lethal Performance's '07-'09 GT500 triple-pump fuel system (PN LP-0509GT500TRIPLEPUMPFUELSYS; $1,899). It features Fore Precision Works' triple-pump fuel hat, a high-flow Y-block, and high-flow fuel rails (not pictured); three Ford GT fuel pumps; Zone-5 Performance's Mega Driver Module; an Aeromotive fuel filter; a Fragola 3000 Series pushlite fuel hose; and all the fittings and hardware necessary to install the system. Of course, the hat will fit Mustang GTs and even V-6s. It can be run with one, two, or three pumps, but you need the MDM to run more than one pump in a V-6 or GT.

Horse Sense: Companies that cater to the same clientele are often bitter rivals, but Lethal Performance and VMP Tuning have forged a unique alliance where Justin Starkey at VMP provides tuning support for Lethal owner Jared Rosen's GT500 project car. You can follow the progress of the project at www.lethalgt500.com. Currently the car features a BMR Fabrication front suspension, a Steeda rear suspension and shifter, a DSS 3.5-inch aluminum driveshaft, a Gen II 3.4-liter Whipple supercharger, an AFCO dual-pass pro-series heat exchanger, a JLT carbon-fiber cold-air intake, and True Forged wheels.

Like many other technical progressions in Mustang history-fuel injection in 1986, mass air in 1988-1989, and modular engines in 1996-there is always a learning curve. At first it's tougher to make more power than the factory intended, but soon the creative and dedicated minds in the aftermarket come up with solutions that allow our wildest dreams to come true.

In the case of returnless fuel-injection systems, which joined the Mustang world in 1999, tuners soon ran to the limit of the system. The first solution was to revert to a return-style system, just like the first solution for hot-rodding EFI Mustangs was to put on a carburetor.

Naturally, many have devised ways of installing larger pumps in the factory pump assembly, replacing GT pump assemblies with GT500 versions, and even revving up the voltage in the stock or larger pumps to feed the power today's Mustangs are capable of creating. Of course, those capabilities keep increasing, and rather than standing by until the current solutions max out, another group of dedicated speed freaks has come up with the pieces to push the returnless fuel system toward 1,000hp capability.

At the center of this group is the affable, kinetic Jared Rosen, main man at Lethal Performance. No doubt inspired by the flow of Red Bull into his system (Jared drinks the stuff like water), he worked with two companies--Fore Precision and Zone-5--to put together the pieces necessary to create a complete, triple-pump fuel system for returnless-fueled S197s. Jared explains that Fore Precision's customers actually asked for a three-pump fuel hat, so he was just responding to demand.

We joined Jared at VMP Tuning, where he and VMP main man Justin Starkey installed the prototype system on Jared's GT500 project car. The initial results show a lot of promise, and we can't wait until people begin pushing the limits of this system.

Unlike Mustangs of the past, dropping the fuel tank isn't required. You do have to remove the rear-seat cushion, however, and Justin Starkey of VMP Tuning does the honors. As the name of the company would lead you to believe, Justin's business is tuning cars. He is loaded up with SCT software and a mobile dyno, so he can build custom tunes anywhere he pleases. We were actually at the VMP shop this time around.

Underneath the driver-side rear-seat cushion is the access hole for the fuel pumps. This rubber seal keeps the elements out of the interior. Carefully pull the seal back and unplug the factory fuel pumps' wiring harness and fuel line. Naturally you should disconnect your car's battery before staring on this endeavor-sparks and fuel should only meet in the combustion chamber.

Using a hammer and a brass drift (it won't spark), gently nudge the sealing ring into its unlocked position, which frees the stock fuel-pump assembly. You'll have to do a bit of twisting and wiggling to get the stock assembly out, but it's not too tough to remove. To hold the pump assembly and keep fuel from dripping onto your car's interior, have a towel and bucket handy.