Whether you are installing a turbo kit or building a naturally aspirated DOHC VTEC setup, you’ll need to upgrade your Civic fuel pump. The factory Honda fuel pump won’t be able to handle the added demands your bolt on parts will require. When you are bolting on a Honda turbo kit, or building a homemade one the Civic fuel pump is a huge part of your turbo VTEC build.
Today I’ll be showing you how to install a Civic fuel pump in a 1999 Honda Civic with a Honda engine swap in it. This vehicle is equipped with the B18C1 GSR engine, and you can use this How To guide to install any number of aftermarket choices for your Civic fuel pump.
When you need to upgrade your fuel flow in your Honda, there’s a few different Civic fuel pump styles you can go with. There’s an in-tank fuel pump upgrade as well as an inline pump upgrade. In-tank fuel pump upgrades like the Walbro 255 HP is one of the most popular choices for aftermarket fuel pumps.
By removing your stock fuel pump, and using a fuel pump install kit you can easily upgrade the fuel flow in your Civic.
Because these units bolt right into your stock Civic fuel pump assembly, install is a breeze. There’s no need to cut, modify or hack your existing fuel system, and everything is pretty much plug and play.
The second style of Civic fuel pump is the inline style, which isn’t quite as common but works just as well. This will require you to get under your vehicle and either cut and install a compression fitting to your fuel lines or figure out another inline method.
Today’s guide will be showing you how to install an in-tank fuel pump. This process is fairly easy to do and you’ll need just a handful of tools.
Because you are working around fuel, make sure to use the utmost safety precautions. Avoid smoking around your fuel tank and always work in a well ventilated area.
Your Civic fuel pump is located under the rear seat. The seat can be removed easily by pulling out on the locking tabs and lifting up on your rear seat. You will need to push the seat belt buckles in and past the rear seat cushion to remove.
Before you begin removing your old pump, make sure to disconnect the negative terminal on your battery. This prevents any electrical accidents and can keep you safe.
It’s also a good idea to open your Civic fuel door and remove the fuel cap, this allows excess pressure to escape from your sealed fuel system.
There are three screws on the upper panel that’s underneath your rear Civic seat. Remove these screws and gently pry off the fuel panel.
Once the panel is taken off you should see the round Civic fuel pump assembly, secured by several 8mm nuts.
Loosen but do not remove these nuts quite yet. Now you can make your way to the feed and return lines. one is held on using a worm style clamp and the other requires you to depress the plastic fittings and slide off the fuel line.
Now that these fuel lines are disconnected, you can unplug your fuel pump connector. This is easy to do once you have pushed down on the locking tab to free this harness. Once you have your Civic fuel pump connector removed, you can go about removing the rest of the 8mm nuts.
Now that you have unplugged your Honda fuel pump, you should now be able to lift up and remove the entire fuel pump assembly.
The fuel pump assembly in your Honda Civic houses the feed and return lines to your fuel pump.
Once the entire fuel pump assembly has been removed you can unplug the fuel pump directly. This is another two pin unit that requires you to depress the locking tab to unplug the harness.
Now that your Civic fuel pump has been unplugged you can remove the feed line that runs to the top of the fuel pump assembly.
This is also held on by two clamps, that must be slid down the fuel rated hose to remove.
Once you have your factory fuel pump freed, you can go about installing your upgraded fuel pump assembly. Remember that you should use an install kit, that will include all the fuel pump hardware as well as a new sock or filter.
Most upgraded fuel pump assemblies will outflow your factory Civic fuel pressure regulator. If this is the case look into upgrading your regulator or installing a bolt on unit like this B&M Command Flow. Once you’ve completed your fuel pump install you can go with larger fuel injectors for your Honda swap or even a fuel management unit.
Have any questions about this Honda Civic fuel pump install? Leave us a comment below and let us know!
