Expert Question: Retrofitting a Robust Sender to a 1997 SLE

[Bret Schmerker]

I've a need to harden my 1997 Safari SLE against semi-corrosive fuel. California is infamous for major-brand gasolines that make small-engine survival a SNAFU, and I suspect the pump gas as a contributing factor in the recent "went down HARD" of my 1997 Safari SLE - had ca. 18 gallons 87-octane still aboard when, I strongly suspect, the impeller broke loose from the in-tank fuel pump's motor armature. One additional problem: I don't know whether the stock 2x2-pin harness connector is still present, as General Motors switched the fuel pump/sender assembly from the 2x2-pin to a 1x4-pin weatherproof connector not long after my SLE left Baltimore Assembly - the ACDelco® MU1782 ($299.99 before taxes at AutoZone) uses the 1x4-pin revision. On account of the California fuels, I'm seriously considering backporting the Robust Fuel System from the 2001-up Astro and Safari with RPO K53.

What routing differences exist between the MU1782 that would be stock upgrade for my '97, and the ACDelco® MU1380 and MU1775 used starting model year 2000? The MU1380 looks the better option of the latter on account of the California fuels. Or is there a closer-fit option for a robust fuel pump/sender assembly for 1996-99 than I've run across as of 15 September 2018?

[Stroverlander]

Feels like you're overthinking things a bit as any decent brand replacement fuel pump should see you though a 100k miles or so.