"Are Twin CP3 Fuel Pumps Harder On My Diesel Engine Than A Single?"
This question comes up quite a bit these days with the number of light duty diesel truck owners who are modifying their truck for more power and therefore needing to increase fuel supply. There seems to be much incorrect info to be found online and lots of hearsay dealing with misconceptions. The simple answer is NO.
What is true is that introducing a much higher-than-OEM amount of fuel pressure on a truck would cause issues over time with the fuel system and injectors. Before the release of the Twin CP3 Fuel System (sometimes referred to as a 'dual fueler'), there were many attempts in the industry to simply modify a single CP3 Pump for more pressure (as had been done in earlier 12 Valve and 2nd Generation 24 Valve Cummins pumps) in order to keep up with the fuel level demanded by power modifications. Some of these modified single pumps produce an unsafe amount of fuel pressure and lead to shortened pump life and driveability issues.
ATS Diesel released the Twin CP3 Fuel System which allows the addition of a second main injection pump or 'twin pump' to work in unison with the original factory CP3 Pump. The system uses a few key elements which make it safe and reliable for increased power. The Twin CP3 Controller (supplied with kit) is a self-contained micro computer which acts as an intermediary between the truck's OEM computer and the fuel system. The twin pumps are run together as if there were only one pump in place. An important factor is that fuel supply (volume) is maintained without using the high pressure found in other single pump upgrades. Because the two pumps run in unison, and are regulated by the Twin CP3 Controller, they perform their job at partial duty cycle and provide the required volume of fuel to the injection system. Since the pumps are not working as hard to maintain fuel supply, the life of each pump is extended beyond what a single pump would attain. This volume (as with turbochargers), is the important ingredient, as opposed to simply upping pressure. When a truck is modified for more power with tuning or injectors this fuel supply volume becomes a limiting factor for performance.
Because of the supporting installation hardware required and second pump, the Twin CP3 Fuel Systems are somewhat more costly than a single pump upgrade, but the performance and durability difference is drastic. Driveability is much better with the Twin CP3 Fuel System due to the fact that low-end and mid-range output pressures are consistent with factory levels and follow a smooth ramp-up. If performance, reliability, and quality are all important factors to a truck's owner - the Twin CP3 Fuel System is an easy and sensible choice when upgrading performance. Whether upgrading for towing and work performance, or building a hot rod truck, the Twin CP3 Fuel System is the ideal fuel supply modification.
