Fuel filter and fuel starvation

Originally Posted by phunk

The yellow/orange piece that attaches to the bottom side of the fuel pump, is the fuel pump pickup. It is not the fuel filter. This is standard procedure for all production vehicles. The fuel pump pickup is a mesh to prevent large debris from jamming the pump, and the filter is always placed after the fuel pump. In the case of the Z, the filter itself is molded into the fuel pump housing.

The component you are describing that you are you contemplating eliminating is the fuel pump pickup. While this is not sold individually, a typical fuel pump pickup for a Walbro style pump will attach just the same.