PRI 2019: Aeromotive Supports BIG Power with Bigger True Variable Speed Pumps

Every so often, we get rocked right across the jaw with a new and exciting product. And what currently has my head spinning are Aeromotive’s True Variable Speed Brushless Gear Pumps—now available in larger 7.0- and 10-gallon-per-minute versions.

As the biggest electric pumps on the market, this technology is going to be what truly breaches the gap between enormous power and drivability. It’s going to open doors that were otherwise sealed shut and anyone who wants big power in a streetable package should be looking at it.

“As electronic fuel injection continues to proliferate the upper echelons of drag racing and every other motorsport out there, pumps like these will be more and more necessary. You are looking at the industry standard right now and it’s likely to stay there for a long, long time.” -Brian Lohnes, Lead announcer for NHRA

We hit up Johnson Barrick, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Aeromotive, to get a little insight on what exactly these bigger brushless gear pumps bring to the table in terms of power and versatility.

But first, let’s refresh your memory on the basic technology of the system—because that’s what really makes these pumps shine.

How does the True Variable Speed Pump separate itself from other high-performance fuel pumps on the market?

Well, perhaps what’s most notable about these pumps is the fact that their flow rate is dependent on the position of the throttle. The wider the throttle is open, the more fuel it’s going to supply.

This is done via a sensor with a 0-5 volt input. Three wires run to the system: power, ground, and the voltage supply, as opposed to the traditional brushless gear pump, which only runs power and ground with a set operating speed. The 0-5 volt input is linked to the throttle position sensor and, as the throttle opens, more voltage is supplied to the pump which will increase the speed of the pump.

This works to increase overall performance and efficiency in three ways. The first being, that supplying the engine with only as much fuel as it needs is going to greatly reduce fuel consumption. Next, by controlling the rate at which the pump is working, you’re also going to reduce temperature—and as we know, cooler fuel is always better. Third, it reduces the amount of energy the pump will consume.

“On applications where there is a lot of street driving, this will allow the pump to run at a slower speed and keep from recirculating the fuel tank every few minutes,” says Barrick. “This helps keep the fuel cooler, and cuts down on vapor lock issues.”

Individually, each one of these factors can contribute greatly to the drivability of a vehicle. Finding an innovative way to combine all three just goes to show where Aeromotive sits on the food chain.

Ahead of the Curve

The benefits of these pumps can be a lot to take in. Luckily, Barrick provided us with a streamlined list to break down all the pros of their True Variable Speed Pumps:

• Lighter than the traditional external mount pumps
• Reduced current draw
• Extended service life in methanol & ethanol
• Integral, external brushless controller for clean installation, cooler fuel & enhanced reliability
• 0-5 volt analog DC signal which lowers fuel flow during low demand

It’s also worth mentioning that the folks over at Aeromotive made it possible to pair the brand’s older brushless gear-driven pumps with these new controllers. That means, if you already have one, then you don’t need to break the bank to bring your fuel system up to par with Aeromotive’s leading edge.

“Aeromotive is all about solving problems and not being a ‘me too’ company,” explains Barrick. “We saw a problem—that daily drivers or racers wanted to slow down their high-horsepower pump when it wasn’t needed. This allowed these pumps to be more street-capable for the daily drivers, perfect for the drag week guys, and also the drag racers when they weren’t on the way down the drag strip. These brushless True Variable Speed Pumps solved a problem for a lot of different users. That’s the best part—the wide array of people [who benefit from this style of pump]. Drag racers, street performance, drifters, or just the guy wanting to drive his race car on the street.”

Bigger & Better

But these True Variable Speed Pumps aren’t exactly new. You’ve been able to purchase these units for some time now in a respectable 3.5 gpm or 5 gpm configuration. What is new is that Aeromotive has upped the ante by supplying the consumer with the option of moving up to a 7 gpm or 10 gpm unit.

Having a handle on engine power is important in any application. Whether it’s ensuring you maintain traction or breaking it just enough to heat them big tires up, proper fuel and air supply are critical to your safety and the vehicle’s response.

But if you’re wild enough to run a massively powerful car on the street, whether it be for Power Tour or a trip to the track, you want the ability to dictate the amount of fuel running to the engine. With a set speed pump, high-flow rates are going to cause a plethora of issues for street driving, including rich mixtures at low engine speeds. Of course, there’s also that pesky issue of burning more fuel than needed.

Big power is what these pumps are all about.

Compatible with methanol, pump gas, e85, and diesel, these 7-10 gpm pumps are going to support massively-powered engines. This level of versatility gives builders the unprecedented ability to manage power pumping through sub-10 second cars with ease.

Just how much power can these pumps support? Barrick provided us with another helpful breakdown, noting that everything is rated in flywheel horsepower because of the inconsistency of wheel dynos.

Check out the specs:

This is some serious power! And all from a fuel pump that’s essentially the same size as Aeromotive’s other offerings.

We’re talking in-tank support for thousands of horsepower, variable control to reduce fuel flow during low-demand situations, and a simple, no-nonsense installation. 

Raring to get your hand on one? Aeromotive expects to ship its bigger brushless gear pumps at the beginning of February. Get more information at the company’s website or hit up your local Aeromotive supplier for details on when they’ll have these babies in stock. We can’t wait to see what you do with yours.