don't get me wrong John, I'm not pushing the Edelbrock sump system as being the best for everyone. But to address some of your concerns, the sump pump is submerged in fuel just as it would be with an in-tank pump. It's just as quiet as any in-tank pump I have on a modern car. The motor starts just fast as any fuel injected motor. I took the washer bottle out and put the sump in that location so it takes up no more space. If want your engine compartment to look original than this would not be for you. It's a pretty stout hi impact container so being in a crash is not to much of worry for me. For me it was the best solution for the EFI fuel problem.