Today we’re going to have another deep-dive into a nerdy tech topic: The original Nissan electric fuel pump on the S30 chassis 240Z and Fairlady Z cars.

Disclaimer:
As with all my knowledge articles, I tried my best to get all information from trustworthy and official sources. However, I cannot guarantee that all information is 100% correct. If you have any correction, input or additional information, I appreciate it if you let me know. I’ll update this post whenever I find something to add or change. I am not a professional journalist and I put countless unpaid hours of work and years of research into this post and spent quite a bit of money to source a lot of original documents, so please ask, before you copy anything. Thanks!

Short answer: Yes, there was an electric fuel pump, introduced with the S20 engine equipped PS30 (Z432 and -R) variants, which were only sold in Japan. All Datsun branded export 240Zs and also the Japanese domestic cars with the L-series engine variants came with the mechanical fuel pump in the beginning.
This is also shown in the Japanese S30 Service manual. Where it is clearly mentioned that the electromagnetic fuel pump is for the S20 engine equipped cars.

Why only S-engine cars got the electric fuel pump is unclear to me, but my guess is that it had something to do with the fuel requirements of S20 engines and the triple Mikuni carbs which were installed on them (see also chapter "Racing").

2.1 Optional (racing / competition part)

Yes, in some countries the individual parts got introduced as a sports option / competition / NISMO parts later. In the following picture, you can see the pump and some of its accessories in the 1976 USA competition parts catalogue.
The corresponding price-list says it was sold for a list Price of $45 + the brackets of $3.88

PS: Ignore the assembly photo in the bottom right of the following catalogue scan – the pump is installed in the wrong position on the bracket 🙂

And here in one of the Japanese S30 sport option catalogues (where it is somehow offered without the additional installation bracket, which is a bit strange):

Most spare parts catalogues (including export market and Japanese L-engine versions) list it as "option part":

Interestingly, it’s even listed in the January 1977 spare parts price list from Germany. Albeit, it’s not clear if it was specifically for the S30 series car or if it maybe was listed as a spare part for another Datsun model.

2.2. Factory installed:

2.2.1 A/C equipped cars in Japan

Aside from the factory equipped Electric fuel pump on the Japanese S20 engine equipped cars, the Japanese Z-1 Fairlady Z Introduction bulletin mentions the Japanese HVAC system (read more about that here) equipped cars require an electric fuel pump (see very last sentence in the following translated photo).

I’m not entirely sure about the technical reasons behind it, and it seemed a bit odd to me first. But it seems to be confirmed by the Japanese 1973+ spare parts catalogue, where on the left side you have the regular fuel system piping and on the right side you have the fuel system piping for variant for "Cooler" (which I assume is the HVAC Aircon system), with the additional electric fuel pump and strainer.

It seems that in 1974 (when other markets also got the Nissan Factory Aircon) also other markets required an electric fuel pump along with the HVAC, as the below 1974 USA parts manual shows:

2.2.2 1973 / 1974 "Modification Plus Program V-3"

In 1973 there was a so-called "Modificaion Plus program V-3" released to upgrade existing cars in the field with various features. The program was later also extended to the 1974 260Z cars and is described in the "Modification Plus" manuals. The program also featured modifications such as fans and other things not related to the electric fuel pump, but also included electric fuel pumps with its accessories. So far I have only evidence of this program rolled out in the USA (Documentation is also by Nissan USA), but it might be possible that such upgrades were also offered in other markets.

For this V-3 modification (see below photo left side), there were also complete electric fuel pump upgrade kits available, including all the parts required to upgrade from mechanical to electric fuel pump. These were called the "V-3 sub kits":

• 17020-N3326 Jidosha Kiki brand Kit
• 17020-N3326 Mitsbua brand kit

See right side inclusive parts list (photo taken from the above modification plus manual):

In the following gallery, you can see a complete 17020-N3326 Mitsbua brand electric fuel pump v-3 sub kit with its Mitsuba pump + bracket. Part list slip, and the accessories

(Photos provided by Hoover on classicZcars.com)

3.1. Original early version

The first, original fuel pump was installed on the JDM cars with the S20 engine and available as an optional part for the other cars with the L24 engines (although it would also work on Japanese L20 equipped cars).

According to our specialist, Alan Thomas, it was a product licensed by Bendix (USA). In 1987 Bendix and JDK even formed a joint venture company in Japan.
Manufacturer: Jidosha Kiki Ltd. (JP)
Nissan part no: 17020-N3310 (replaced by 17020-N3311) (USA parts book mentions 17020-E4100, replaced by 17020-N3600)
Installed up to July 1973 (The manual mentions that this item was only available from July 1972 in the USA.)

Here’s a photo provided by Alan on ClassicZcar.com showing the original Jidosha Kiki type fuel pump with it’s mounting bracket:

3.2. Original later version

Around August 1973, the electric fuel pump supplier and design changed to the "later version" type. I found the one for sale on Autopartone.com
Manufacturer: Mitsuba, type FP-3
Nissan part no: 17020-N3315 (for the 260Z, the part numbers 17020-N3601 / 17020-N3602 are mentioned)
Installed from August 1973 and also on the 260Z, with the later style bracket.

3.3. NISMO re-issue

Today a very similar (to the original first design) transistor-controlled electric fuel pump assembly (inclusive filter, rubber bushings, mounting screws and the L-neck hose connectors) is available again by NISMO.
Note: Browsing the internet, it seems like there are plenty of cheap copies of this product for sale. Make sure you buy from an official NISMO dealer!
Manufacturer: U-shin Ltd (JP), type B6908
NISMO part no: 17010-RR010

The modern day NISMO catalogue says it’s "high-flow" and "general purpose", but it’s clearly a re-issue of the early S30 fuel pump including all the accessory parts:

The NISMO pump comes with an installation manual, which is more or less a safety caution leaflet and doesn’t really tell a lot about how or where to install it on the car:

3.3.1. Technical specifications

The second page of the above NISMO installation manual at least gives you a bunch of technical figures (tested at 12V)

• Voltage Rating: 12V DC
• Discharge amount: 1,3l/min (at 29.4kPA (0.3kgf/cm2)) 1,6l/min (all the time)
• Discharge pressure when turned off: 41,7 – 51,5kPA (0.43-0.59 kgf/cm2)
• Suction Pressure: -4,0kPA (-0,04kgf/cm2) – Reference of the mechanical diaphragm fuel pump is (69-98kPa (0.7-1.0kgf/cm2).
• Max operation current: 1,5A
• Minimum working Voltage: 9A
• Body outer diameter: 60mm
• Body overall length: 140mm
• Inlet pipe outer diameter: 8mm
• Outlet pipe outer diameter: 8mm

3.4. 280Z / ZX version

The 1975+ 280Z and 280ZX had a completely different electronic fuel pump, which was located in a different location with a different bracket, too. Here you can find more information and photos about the bracket and how it was installed

The fuel pump (which later got replaced a few times, also different types for different countries) is JECS (Japan Electric Control System) Corp. made. A BOSCH joint venture, which also manufactured the L-Jetronic fuel injection on the Z-Cars.
Manufacturer: JECS Corp (JP)
Nissan part no: 17011-N4200 (replaced various times. See parts manual for details)

5.1 Mechanical installation

5.1.1 Jidosha Kiki L-shape bracket

The factory Nissan / NISMO fuel pump is meant to be installed on a special L-shaped bracket, which is then mounted on the differential mount frame.
The original Bracket for the Jidosha Kiki brand Pump was part number 17033-E4200 "Bracket Assy Electric Fuel Pump". Check the first picture on this page for the drawing of the bracket.

Picture below from the 1973 JDM parts manual:

The part number was also stamped on the bracket itself.

(Picture by Jerry Purcell on Classiczcars.com)

On your S30 chassis rear differential mounting (right hand) there are three boltholes, which are installation points for that above fuel pump mounting bracket. Every S30 chassis car should be equipped with those from factory.

And this is how it looks installed (note the three bolts are wrong and only installed for test-fitment):

The brackets are hard to find these days, especially outside the USA, but you can find a very good replica from Revive Jalopy in Japan:

And if you’re not into original looks, there is also a version by ZSMcustom / Kyusha house USA which is closer to the later version of the bracket, but more of an aftermarket part.

5.1.2. Mitsuba pump bracket (L-shape + Extra plate)

For the Mitsuba pump, which had an additional part of the pump not protected by the original Jidosha Kiki type bracket, they added an additional piece to the original bracket to protect it.
My understanding is that this type was used from September 1973 (with the introduction of the Mitsuba Pump) until August 1974, when the whole pump got relocated to a slightly different area on the chassis.
The bracket number should be 17033-N3402.

5.1.3 Later Versions (Z-shape bracket)

After September 1974, the bracket shape changed from the L-shape to an Z-shape. Also, the mounting location of the bracket on the chassis was different.
The Bracket part number is: 17033-N4311 plus additional mounting piece 17034-N3401.

Here you can see the different mounting position on the car:

It appears that at some point they changed the bracket whole design (same position), and moved the third mounting point to the side. The whole pump and connector also appears to be different (from the 1974 260Z manual). So that is all a bit strange for me.

What appears to be one-piece in the above drawing is however in reality still the Z-shape bracket, with an additional side mounting plate / bracket, as you can see in the following photo:

According to the parts manual, this style (17033-N4200, replaced by 17033-N4201) was used from December 1974 until July 1976 and was used for at least 4 different fuel pump types.

5.1.4. 280Z / 280ZX fuel pump mounting bracket

From August 1976 (Some sources say 1975+) the 280Z and ZX had a completely different fuel pump mounting position and bracket, see the bracket (replacement item from Zcardepot) below.

The bracket 17033-N4701 was installed from August 1976 with the JECS fuel pump:

5.2 Electrical installation

It seems like somewhere between mid 1970 to beginning of 1971, wiring harnesses on at least some of the cars got equipped with a 12V and GND connector for the electric fuel pump from the factory.
If you check the very first 240Z wiring diagrams (March 1970 introduction bulletin): The wiring for the electric fuel pump is not visible.

But if you look at the February 1971 diagram, suddenly a wire with a 20A fuse is connected to the ignition wire and goes to a fuel pump, which was not there in the previous wiring diagram version
What is also interesting is, that it seems like they just hastily added the fuel pump and wiring (among other things) to the older diagram version, between the existing wires, see green marked below.

It seems like they re-drew the whole 240Z wiring diagram in 1973, where the fuel pump was properly integrated in the diagram and has a different position (picture not shown here). Please check your wiring diagram for later wiring versions. As I didn’t want to list all versions here. But it should be really simple integration on all cars, except maybe later fuel injected cars.

If you install an electric fuel pump, obviously the mechanical one is not required any more. Removal of the pump is therefore recommended. Nissan offers a block-off plate, which you can see (including the part numbers) on the various catalogue photos in this post.
The race and rally preparation manual mentions that the block-off plate 16420-E3020 originally came from the Nissan Cedric.

All the required parts are still available new from Nissan today (end of 2024):

The electric fuel pump is basically maintenance-free. The only thing you have to do is to replace the filter after 600 miles and then every 12.000 miles.
This maintenance interval, procedure and required spare filter part numbers are described in the Nissan Technical Service bulletin TS73-64 (November 1973).

I haven’t checked if the replacement fuel filters for the electric fuel pumps are still available at Nissan (it might be possible), but the Japanese tuner Kameari has them in stock for the NISMO pump (left) and also a slightly different, lower-pressure U-shin pump (which they also sell).

Among other modifications, the Japanese race and rally preparation manual mentions the usage of 2 electric fuel pumps for reliability in long-distance racing on the Z432-R, but mentions that one pump is sufficient for the L24 equipped cars. See loosely google-translated excerpt below.

On an interesting side note, the FIA homologation for the S30 chassis car had written "Fuel Pump Mechanical and electric", but the "and electric" part is crossed over later. I don’t know the reason. Either it was there for a mistake, or didn’t pass homologation or something. Whatever the reason was, the electric fuel pump was never FIA homologated in the original FIA homologation fiches until the cars got fuel Injection.

Special thanks goes out to the people mentioned throughout this post, who provided useful information and photos which made this post possible. Thank you, Alan Thomas, Krisztian, Jerry Purcell, Kats Endo, Hoover and Florian.