Fuel Filter Location - before or after mechanical pump?

I have a s/b Chall T/A that I use for auto-x and hi-speed road course lapping sessions, as well as a little street/hwy driving. My ~25 yrold mechanical pump has just sprung a leak, so, I'll be replacing the pump. I've always had the filter BEFORE the pump (I know that's not stock, but neither is the car). Does it realy make any difference if the fuel filter is positioned BEFORE the mechanical pump, or, is there a better reason for it be positioned AFTER the pump (between the pump and the carb... maybe only for easier install/removal?)?

Also, any thumbs up/down on using the Carter race-mechanical pump (~$80-90) instead of an OE-type pump (~$40)? I never had any problems with the OE-type mechanical pump (and the filter being installed just before the pump).

Thanks ahead!

I run the hi po non race pump. Whatever that is. One above stock I guess.

I ran 3/8" fuel line and sending unit. Tim Herren has said he has run fuel starved at the end of the long straight at the race track.

I also ran fire sleeve over everything near heat to keep from fuel percolation.

Hi Steve, Thanks for the reply. I see the pump (that's the one I'm thinking of installing) on your pic... and the different routing of the fuel line up to the carb, along with the top-mounted filter. nice pic!

Quote:

---

Hi Steve, Thanks for the reply. I see the pump (that's the one I'm thinking of installing) on your pic... and the different routing of the fuel line up to the carb, along with the top-mounted filter. nice pic!

---

The concept of the fuel line routing is to avoid turbulent fuel flow from sharp turns and avoiding heat sources.

When you run the stock routing between the alternator and motor I would have had to run a 90 degree fitting of the fuel pump. And our theory (could be wrong) was that liquid fuel making a sharp 90 degree turn out of the pump could cause fluid cavitation, causing airation, then more tendency to cause vapor when heated.

Also the fuel line has smoother more gradual curves up to the carb.

Running the fuel line around the outside of the alternator gets it away from the that heat trap between the alternator, block and water pump housing. Also on the outside you get some air flow past the line, where as with the stock routing air flow is stopped by the block.

I could get away with running the line around the alternator because it's that mini Nippondenso alternator off a Suzuki Samauri.